Mock Trial has helped me in several areas of my life, from making me comfortable speaking in public to helping me adapt to working in professional environments. 

As we read and dissected affidavits, we learned how to apply arguments rather than memorize them. This helped me approach assignments in my other classes with a clearer view and a better writing style. 

Each time I was on the stand, I had to learn multifaceted characters: from diva queens to expert science witnesses. So not only did I know how to argue in a succinct way, but I learned how to act in ways I never thought I would. 

Having so many reruns in front of my peers also forced me to get less anxious every time I stood up and spoke, whether I was doing a pre-trial introduction or getting crossed as a witness. So now, whether I'm raising my hand to answer a question in class or having a conversation with my peers, I remember to speak slowly, loudly, and confidently. 

Mock Trial even served as a solid basis for one of my internships as an in-court reporter. Although I learned something new every day on the job, legalese was already engraved in my mind as part of my communication skills, making trials easier to watch and understand. 

Overall, in Mock Trial, no one reaches perfection overnight, but each hour you spend on a case comes back to you: in so many more ways than you'll ever expect it will when you come into it. 

- Marta Fernández '25