Julie Katske Julie Katske is going places. And the director of the private school she attends is helping to send her. The director nominated the 16-year-old Simi Valley resident to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) on law.

Julie recently returned from the forum held in Washington D.C.

“I would do it again,” Julie said of the experience. “I loved it.”

The NYLF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 to help prepare high school juniors and seniors for their professional career choice. Over 50,000 high-achieving students from across the country have attended one or more forums in law, medicine, technology or government service.

Since the age of 5, Julie has wanted to become a lawyer. Attending the forum last month only confirmed that desire. For a week, she and about 300 other high-achieving teens from across the country were immersed in the legal procedures that encompass the Washington, D.C. area.

Most days began with small group meetings where students participated in a mock trial. A law school graduate or student sat with each group to assist. Then the students went on field trips, visited law offices, law schools and courtrooms, jobshadowed government attorneys and private practitioners, and attended lectures of law professors and legal experts from federal agencies.

Julie said she learned a lot.

“I totally understand (the TV show) ‘Law & Order’ now, which is great,” Julie said. “I learned how to see things from both sides of the law.”

Julie also concluded from the experience that she may want to specialize in anti-trust law.

“With every new case you get to learn more information about the normal aspects of life . . . marketing, advertising and other professions (through) your own career,” Julie said.

The students also had time to enjoy the sights of the city. Julie said it was a nice break from the intense schedule, which usually started at 7 a.m. and ended at 9 p.m.

Julie’s mother, Maria, said the experience was a good one for her daughter. “She really grasped the concepts they were teaching. . . . She seems a lot more self-confident.”

For more information on NYLF, visit its website at www.nylf.org.