(Photo provided) New Martinsville Middle School students visit with Delegate Charles Sheedy during their trip to Charleston. Shown here is their teacher Amy Littell, students Lindsey Barcus and Lorelei Morgan and Sheedy.

Wetzel County eighth graders got the chance to see West Virginia’s legislators and judges in action during a three-day trip to Charleston.

Students from Long Drain, New Martinsville, Paden City and Shortline Middle School participated in the Youth Leadership Association’s 8th Grade Youth And Government Seminars.

The students toured the Capitol Culture Center, visited the Kanawha County Magistrate Court while it was in session and observed floor sessions in the state Senate and House.

They also got the chance to meet state Supreme Court justices while visiting the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

Students met with their state legislators and asked them questions. They also invited the legislators to attend the future YLA Legislative Dinner in their home districts.

“These seminars are a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn more about state government,” said David King, director of YLA, in a press release. “They are able to see Charleston in action and come out of the seminar with a better understanding of how the government all works together. They experience some amazing things and meet some inspiring people.

“They learn that ours is a people’s government and someday, they too can serve our great state of West Virginia.”

The visit also included the students participating in a mock trial and a mock legislative session at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse.