When I joined Mock Trial in my junior year, I had no expectation for what was then a club. Soon, however, I found out that Mock Trial is much more than a club. It is, without a doubt, a lifestyle.

Mock Trial wasn’t always a big of a deal, from my understanding. It seems like in the past few years the MSMS Mock Trial team has gone from a nobody to someone to be feared. Our teacher, Scott Colom, current Lowndes County District Attorney, has taken us to a whole new level these past few years. He has worked all of us until we were bleeding the rules of evidence, but it was so satisfying to see it pay off by making a new landmark in MSMS Mock Trial history by proceeding to the championship round. It was especially satisfying for me as my team wasn’t able to place at all last year, despite performing well. It felt like redemption to walk to down the steps of the courthouse holding a gavel. Last year I cried when my team didn’t place; this year I cried tears of joy because we placed so high.

Though that isn’t to say competition was all fearless objecting and flawless lawyer-ing. There was a great deal of frantic decision making where no action seemed like the right one. I passed hours arguing with anxious teenagers and defending myself to stern-faced judges. My only relief came in the form nervous notepassing between me and my co-counsel, Summar McGee and Sam Williams. By the end of the competition I was wearing a sweaty suit and sticky ballet flats, and the only way I could describe how disgusting I felt was by saying, “I smell like litigation.” It was, nonetheless, the perfect weekend, and I can’t wait to continue the courtroom battles in college.

I also can’t wait to watch MSMS compete (and, eventually, win) in the future. More than seeing future MSMS Mock Trial teams win, I look forward to seeing what all they learn. More important than the 3-foot gavel, Mock Trial has given me critical thinking skills I never imagined possessing. As the Misssissippi Bar Association reminds us at the beginning of every competition, Mock Trial is not an organization for future lawyers; it is an organization for future thinkers.

The MSMS Mock Trial teams would like to thank the now retired Claudia Carter for keeping the team going all of these years.  And we especially thank Scott Colom for the truly ridiculous amount of time he has dedicated to all of us. He has given me a new confidence and passion and I couldn’t be more grateful.