extracurricular

During my Junior year, I participated in my school’s mock trial competition. Sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-related Education, the goal of mock trial is to investigate a case, pick a side, prepare, and then argue that case in court. Cases are made with topical information concerning privacy questions and modern day issues. For example, The case was centered around an investigation regarding jurisprudence on public grounds and the right to assemble.

This perfectly fits in with the ISSN goal of “Communicating Ideas” for a variety of reasons. In order to Be an Effective speaker like the Asia Society hopes all graduates are, you need to be able to control a narrative. This is the entire premise of mock trial, you create a narrative that supports your side of the case in order to win the competition. If you are an effective enough speaker, you will move on if you stumble or make missteps that complicates things. Additionally, effective speakers have to be able to be flexible and think on their feet, mock trials include a back-and-forth element where Witnesses have to respond to opposing lawyers questions and lawyers have to redirect their witness to properly reframe their ideas. The ability to do this, and do it well, is a critical part of not only mock trials but the Asia Society’s goals for globally competent students.