Nerves by Mallory

Nerves by Mallory - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

Deep breath in, deep breath out. My eyes scan the courtroom full of jurors sitting in front of me, eagerly awaiting to see what I have to say. I start off shaky, as I always do, but soon enough I find myself lost in the words of my opening argument. My thoughts flow out of my mouth naturally, effectively showcasing the months I’d spent reviewing my case facts and legal jargon. Taking part in this incredibly stressful, yet incredibly thrilling experience has helped me solidify what I plan on studying in college: law.

In ninth grade, I joined my school's Mock Trial team. I admittedly only signed up for the team because a few of my friends were doing it, but looking back now, it was the best decision I could’ve made for myself. We started off by learning some of the basics to the legal system and watching video clips from real-life trials. I was immediately captivated by how quickly the attorneys in the videos could think on their feet and respond to any questions thrown their way. My Mock Trial team was soon given the opportunity to prepare a case of our own and compete in trials against other schools in our area. These competitions, however, were virtual, making it more difficult for me to engage in what we were doing. In other words, it was interesting but I wasn’t fully interested. That all changed this past February when my team was able to compete in-person in our county’s courthouse. The feeling of walking around the well of the courtroom, speaking to a judge and interacting with witnesses, was exhilarating. It was after our first in-person trial that I realized this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.

Through Mock Trial, I have also developed an interest in not only the legal system, but also in American politics and government. I plan on majoring in Political Science for my undergraduate degree before pursuing law school. This path will definitely be challenging, but it is one that I am ready to undertake.