As a rising senior at Miami Palmetto High School, Naohmi Linares is making remarkable strides in her academic journey, particularly through her involvement in the school’s Mock Trial Club and the newly established Law Studies Class.
Linares, driven by a passion for the legal field, expressed her enthusiasm by stating, “I am very passionate about the law. My dream is to be a lawyer. I took the opportunity to take the class. It’s a very hands-on class. The law class just built and grew my passion for law even deeper.”
Under the guidance of their teacher, the class mimics the rigorous environment of law school. Linares elaborated, “We were actually learning how to argue. We’re learning to argue facts before the court.”
This past year marked the inaugural season for the Mock Trial Club, during which the team participated in two Mock Court competitions and has plans to attend more in the upcoming school year. One such competition was held against Columbus High School, where Linares’s team showcased their skills.
Reflecting on the competition, she said, “We did well. The prosecution starts and then the defense goes. Our school went first, and Columbus was the defense. Our school won the first round as the prosecution, and then the second round, Columbus won as the prosecution.”
Furthermore, the team ventured into a county-level competition, garnering positive feedback and points, which are crucial for individual lawyers in mock trials. “We competed against two schools,” Linares commented. “The first competition they beat us, but we still got good comments and good points. The second competition we won, again, with good comments and good points.”
When discussing her role in these competitions, Linares revealed that her favorite aspect is the prosecution phase. “Because prosecution, them being the state, they have to prove and state the facts,” she stated. “Facts are more provable, so when it comes to prosecution your job is the facts why the person is guilty or not guilty. Your job is the facts why the person is guilty or not guilty. In defense, you have to be a little more creative. Prosecution, you state the facts. You stand on hard-based facts to prove the point.”
In addition to her legal ambitions, Linares is also actively involved in DECA, a business club at school where she serves as co-historian. “The club is part of the business management class,” she noted. The business management course equips students with entrepreneurship skills and practical knowledge on running a business.
As the school year progresses, Linares’s schedule will shift to accommodate an exciting new elective allowing her to work at her father’s real estate company in a secretarial and assistant role. This job aligns with her interest in pursuing a career in either real estate law or family law.
“I’m definitely interested in learning more,” Linares shared. “I would like to have experience in more than one thing. I think working with my dad in real estate will be an interesting experience. It will introduce real estate law to me.”
In addition to her already busy schedule, Linares has plans to join the Debate Club this year and participate in competitive debates. Her higher education aspirations include several local colleges in Miami, namely Florida International University, Miami-Dade Honors College, St. Thomas University, and the University of Miami.
Outside the academic arena, Linares also leads the Connect Group at the Alpha and Omega Church, where she and her co-leader work closely with girls aged 14 to 18. “We lead and guide them. Every week I send a devotional and encourage them for that week. They meet every other Thursday,” she said, highlighting her commitment to community service.
With her dual interests in law and business, alongside her leadership roles and community service, Naohmi Linares is setting a strong foundation for her future studies and career ambitions. As she continues to engage in valuable experiences at Miami Palmetto High School, it’s evident that she is not only a promising law student but also a dedicated community member.
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