Last Sunday I judged at a mock trial tournament for high schoolers for the first time, and as much hectic as it was...it was such an exciting experience to be sitting in the judge seats for the first time!
I finally got the chance to see the mock trial courtroom scene from the other perspective (rather than the perspective of a nervous, sweaty, freaking out high school mock trial girl...which I totally was!)
I was once that high school girl not too long ago and did Mock Trial for three years while at St. Mary's Academy, and for a year while at University of Oregon through University of Oregon Mock Trial.
Mock Trial has helped me work on, improve, and polish my public speaking, confidence, teamwork, and analytical skills. I also learned how to think on my feet (which...trust me I was very scared about as a junior in high school in the downtown Portland courtrooms.)
There are so many ways to shine in Mock Trial from being a creative character on witness to being an intimidating, skeptical lawyer on cross examination or someone who wraps everything altogether in a powerful, concise speech through a closing statement.
This serves as a positive reminder of how there are so many different ways to shine in any group setting...whether it be a group project, an internship, the executive board of a college club, work meetings, and more.
Working as part of a team is a lifelong skill, but I know my experiences working with many different kinds of personalities of students who did Mock Trial will serve me well as I enter the workplace and beyond following college graduation in spring 2024.
Lastly, I wanted to shoutout Anna Mueller for including me in Duckpond Showdown judging! She plans and leads such a big event for so many high school students and college judges every year (for 4 years as of now), and was an amazing mock trial student coach and leader when I was on UO Mock Trial.
I'm so grateful for all the friends I've made through mock trial!
#teamwork #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #diversityandinclusion #dei #publicspeaking #confidencebuilding #analyticalskills #graduation #newgrad #classof2024 #mocktrial
Chief Operating Officer at Faegre Drinker
3moIt’s been an honor to have been a presenter in this program over the past three years. The students are incredibly smart and ask insightful questions well beyond their years. Thanks to our Miami office and specifically, Jennifer Olmedo-Rodriguez and Jorge De La Hoz, for leading the externship!