Personal Narrative-Mock Trial

“All rise!” the judge booms as he sweeps into the courtroom after a five-minute recess in which I prepare my closing argument. I leap to my feet, heart hammering as he takes his place in the presiding judge’s box. “Okay, you can sit down now,” he says, glancing at me. “Counsel, are you ready to proceed with close?” I nod, button my jacket, and make my way to the center of the courtroom, all the jury members staring at me over their scoring ballots. I take a deep breath and open my mouth. “May it please the court? Ladies and gentlemen, as you’ve heard today from overwhelming evidence…”
Fast forward through two days of whirlwind trials, last-minute critiques from three different attorney coaches, and nonstop overruled objections and I find myself the proud owner of the third-place attorney award
I pass the witness, and now it’s time for redirect from the other side. Maybe we can get a clearer answer.
“Allison, why do you keep coming back to mock trial?”
I can’t back down from a challenge. It’s who I am; it’s in my blood. Through facing these struggles I grow and improve, and either way the good infinitely outweighs the difficult.
Mock trial is an essential part of my identity, and like any part of life, it has its ups and downs. I keep coming back after the lows because of the highs. There are personal highs: successfully entering a controversial exhibit, getting a perfect score from a harsh judge, acceptance into the top international one-on-one mock trial competition. There are even sweeter highs: a freshman’s smile when she cites the correct rule number in her objection, the elation of a landslide victory, the approval of our coaches and parents. The greatest high of all, however, comes from watching my teammates blossom from shy children into confident adults, much like I did. Mock trial is a place for growth, and that’s why I call it my home, my identity, my essence.
“No further questions, Your Honor, I pass the