Langley senior Eryney Marrogi sat on the judicial bench four seats from U.S. Supreme Court Clerk Gen. William K. Suter, retired.

Suter and Marrogi grilled Langley seniors Katherine Cassidy, Madeline Shaw, Cameron Davis and Paul Dell for 15 minutes each.

"Mr. McFadden refers to the substance like 'white powder,' he sold it in baggies," said Suter. "What legitimate thought could he have had?"

"Under your reasoning," said Marrogi, "how can anyone be convicted if they don't have a doctorate in chemistry?"

And the questions during Langley High School's Case Day kept coming and coming, only stopping for the 15-minute timer.

"That's what we call a hot bench," said A.P. Government teacher Allison Cohen, who assists students who run Langley High School's Case Day program. "We had so many tough questions from the justices. Especially, those student justices."

"Saucy," she said.

Thirty-seven Langley seniors auditioned to be the two respondents and petitioners. Marrogi and Shivani Gupta served as student judges.

"How many questions did it feel like I answered or how many questions did I answer?" said Shaw.

"I'm typically a calm person, but this time I was a little nervous," said Davis. "The 15 minutes go by a lot quicker than you think."

A couple hours later at the end of the full-day court program in Langley's library, their peers asked them to describe how they felt, using only one word.

"Victimized," said Davis.

"Awestruck," said Shaw.

"Entertained," said Cassidy.

"The better question is how do I feel now that it's over," said Dell.

"Paul just asked himself a question again," said Davis.

The four Langley scholars, who have been rehearsing, debating and mocking since February, were able to laugh again.

They and about 21 other Langley students involved with Case Day will be attending McFadden v. United States, to be argued in the United States Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 21.

CASE DAY is a Langley institution. This year marked the 23rd annual Supreme Court oral arguments presented by students.

"This is the best program in American like it," said Suter, who was clerk of the United States Supreme Court from 1991-2013. "That's why we are here, year after year."

And it is student run. Students from Langley government classes, there are nine A.P. government classes, conduct the day's program.

There are 30 committee chair people who coordinate everything from decorations, hospitality, to food and finance, to education, research, social media, technology, and interest and publicity. All 396 students in Langley government classes have roles to play.

"Don't underestimate what a high school student is capable of," said Cohen.

Seniors Isabel Marcovici and Trey McKula coordinated all of it. McKula called his job "an excuse to drink way more coffee than is healthy for any human."

The four attorneys were stars of the day, with the highlight of the day being their oral arguments, presided over by Suter, Justice Antonin G. Scalia's son John Scalia, and other attorneys, professors of law, and Janie Strauss, Dranesville School Board member.

"I watched these kids devour merit briefs in 30 minutes, and answer questions that would stop most mortals," said Cohen, who has been involved with Case Day the last 12 years.

But each part of the day served to make it an educational day for all students, those involved and those who watched.

"Since 1993, Case Day has united the entire school to take a comprehensive look into the American judicial system and the inner workings of the Supreme Court," according to the mission of Case Day. "This event allows the student body to delve into a controversial national issue and tackle analysis and argument on a professional level, and provides the unique opportunity to work alongside and hear from legal professionals."

The question presented in McFadden: "Whether to convict a defendant of distribution of a controlled substance analogue, the government must prove that the defendant knew that the substance constituted a controlled substance analogue."

And, from the United States:

"Whether, in a prosecution under the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986, the government must prove that the defendant knew, had a strong suspicion, or deliberately avoided knowing that the substance that he was intentionally distributing for human consumption was substantially similar in chemical structure to a controlled substance."

Students also invited legal experts and others who dissected the case from different points of view. They also heard from DEA's John Scherbenske, who described the horrors he sees from the effects of synthetic drugs that are made by people trying to outmaneuver the legal system.

SUPREME COURT CHAMBERS is the next stop for the coordinators, the student judges, the attorneys, and many other case day participants.

"I'm fairly confident the government should win," said Davis. McFadden "had a strong suspicion he wasn't doing the right thing."

"He was an unsympathetic defendant but just because he's not sympathetic doesn't mean there's not a legitimate case," said Shaw. "We are here because it is an unclear law."

"The one thing we agreed on is how poorly worded it is," said Dell.

Langley students and teachers wanted to choose a case that was relevant to high school students and capable of changing a person's view of the case, said students Davis and Shaw. They also wanted a case that would allow them to secure 25 seats in the United States Supreme Court.

Many got a tour of the Supreme Court approximately one week before Langley Case Day.

"Breathtaking," said Davis.

Most of those involved in Case Day said they aspired to be involved since they heard about the program as freshmen four years ago.

"I've never had an experience like it," said Shaw.

"It gave us one last chance to get involved," said publicity chair Alex Grieco, "one last hurrah with the senior class."

"Finishing senior year with Case Day is a blessing," said Marcovici, the coordinator.

"I'm kind of sad it's over," said Shaw.

Marcovici thanked teacher Cohen for all the support she and other teachers gave to the program. "We are in awe for what you do for us, you do so much, that we forgive you for taking vacation for two weeks," said Marcovici.

"She left us alone for two weeks before Case Day," said Marcovici.

And Case Day went perfectly, due to students' expertise and efforts.

"We thank the faculty, the students and the program sponsors for an outstanding program," Suter said. "The Court is adjourned until next year."