They'll debate a bill, solve a crime, prosecute a case and cover it all for the paper - and be back in school the next day.
Participants in this year's Constitution Project are already looking forward to getting hands-on experience in aspects of the Legislature, the justice system and the press. It's an interactive competition giving Missouri high school students a chance to learn about careers protected and defined by the United States Constitution.
The competition is also meant to impress upon students the importance of concepts like due process, freedom of the press and right to trial by jury.
"It really prepares you if you want to go into one of those careers," said Grace Hurt, a senior at Fulton High School.
She has participated in the Constitution Project each year since her freshman year and is part of the school's legal team. Hurt is among four seniors participating this year from FHS; underclassmen plan to participate as well.
"The seniors take leadership to teach the freshmen," said Jenna Brown, a social studies teacher and former Constitution Project sponsor.
This year, teachers Cassie Elam and Lisa McDaniel will lead the group.
About 250 students from 12 Missouri high schools will kick off the 2018 Constitution Project competition Wednesday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. Speakers are expected to include first lady Teresa Parson, Speaker of the House Todd Richardson, state Supreme Court Judges Mary R. Russell and W. Brent Powell, as well as Vietnam War veteran Don Hentges. The students then will participate in a mock legislative debate beginning at 10:30 a.m.
"We'll be debating on whether students should be required to stand for the national anthem," senior Elise Barton said.
The main part of the competition starts later in the semester. Until then, the students will train with local professionals in law enforcement, the court system and journalism.
"The three of us on the crime scene investigation team work with Major Roger Rice (of the Fulton Police Department)," Barton said. "We learn how to work a crime scene."
Rice will set up mock scenes for the students to investigate, she said.
"It made me realize I couldn't be an actual cop," Barton added. "It's hard."
The crime scene investigation aspect is what lured senior Kaitlyn Epperson to join the team this year.
"It's what I'm interested in - it's the way my brain works," she said.
Senior Ashleigh Jackson, in her fourth year on the team, said she also enjoys the social aspect of the meetings and competitions.
Those on the legal team work with Callaway County Judge Carol England, and 25th Circuit Court Judge Douglas Gaston.
Once the competition kicks off in earnest, students will head to regional competitions where they'll investigate a mock crime scene, report on it and try it in court, depending on their role in the team. Each part of the team needs to work together.
In November, winning teams will advance to the statewide finals, alongside an all-star team made of top students from regional competitions whose schools didn't advance.