Mock Tri al provides community, competition and career

Milena D’Andrea Staff Writer

Pepperdine Mock Trial allows students to get first-hand courtroom and legal experience while being part of a community, said Alexandra Sagona, Seaver College graduate (‘17) and Mock Trial coach.

The Mock Trial team consists of over 40 students who participate in competitions against other universities, such as UC Berkley and Claremont McKenna College. Students on the team are responsible for researching previous cases and presenting their arguments. Practicing attorneys, Sagona and Michael Reid, coach the team. Additionally, the team presents their cases to circuit court judges, Sagona said.

“It’s a great avenue for people who want to go into law to build their college resume,” Sagona said.

“Students learn how to prep for these trials, which includes learning the rules of evidence, directing cross-examination, learning public speaking strategies and also witness development,” Sagona said.

Students argue previous court cases while enhancing their speaking and analytical skills, which are vital for those interested in pursuing law school and legal professions, Sagona said.

The coaches are invested in teaching the legal profession and also assisting students’ personal and academic growth, said Delaney Dickey, Mock Trial member and student attorney.

Not all students in the club are pre-law, Sagona said. Students of all majors can join Mock Trial, as no prior experience is required.

For example, junior Zach Jones, Mock Trial member, ing a comfortable space to come home to and the decor someone chooses for their room has an impact on one’s mental health, according to Lonny Magazine.

More Than Just Decor

Coady said cleanliness is important to her within both her room and her shared common area. A recent study found 92% of college students reported they feel better mentally and physically in a clean space, according to Cleaning Institute.

“I cannot work in a room that’s dirty or messy,” Coady said. “I’ll procrastinate my homework until it’s [her room] clean and it looks nice. And I just love having a space that feels clean and that

I’m able to work in productively.”

Looking ahead to the fall and new housing, Randle said she’s excited to see what things she can find to add to her next space.

“There’s so much more I can add,” Randle said. “So many other things with pink.” student attorney and technical director of NewsWaves 32, said he joined the club for the camaraderie and competitive aspect.

Picking room decorations is a form of self-expression and creating the right space is important to Norton.

“Designing a space that you are going to live in I think is really important [so] that you feel your best and you feel most comfortable in it because you’re going to be the one living in it,” Norton said.

“My favorite case was one we did last year called ‘The Chug,’ which was about arson and burning down a bar.”

To succeed in Mock Trial, students have to learn to work together to act out the cases seamlessly, Dickey said.

People may have the image that Mock Trial is purely academic, Donovan said. Yet, some roles are much more acting-heavy, like witnesses.

“Witness roles have a lot of creative freedom, and members can be silly and goofy playing these outlandish characters,”

Donovan said.

Jones said the team also incorporates props into their cases, such as their “Lawyer Support Dog,” a stuffed animal that travels with the team to all their competitions.

Donovan said the team had an unprecedented year, gaining almost 40 new members and hope to continue growing.

Anyone who is interested in joining the team can email her at katie.donovan@pepperdine. edu, Donovan said.

“In some extracurriculars, people there may be only in- vested in you personally when you are there and participating,” Dickey said. “But Mock Trial goes beyond that, everyone is there for each other both in the courtroom and outside.”