It’s “post-stack” season for mock trial programs around the country, and I am at a point in my mock trial career where I ask myself: “Why am I still in the program?” For those of you who don’t know, collegiate mock trial was actually founded at Drake University. Pretty cool, huh? Our mock trial program has a long historical background that makes sure to get noticed around the country. For the past couple of months, I have been looking back on my mock experience and really thinking about why I joined in the first place and why I’m still a part of it. The answer was easy and let me tell you why.

My first year at Drake, my boyfriend and I broke up after the third week at school. It just so happened to be the same time as mock trial auditions. Now, don’t get me wrong, I was just as salty as the next gal after a breakup and I’ll openly admit that too. Just when I thought that I was ready to transfer to a school closer to home and just when I had enough of feeling like I hadn’t “found my place” on campus, my team had their first practice. My teammates helped me through it all, talked to me when I needed to rant and guided me throughout my first year in college. After about three weeks, they became my best friends and more importantly, my family. They are the reason why I acclimated to Drake and the reason I stayed.

Post-stack season came around and I found myself with a new group of people, ready to go out into the Midwest to kick ass at tournaments. My college experience that first year would not have been the same without them-the late night runs to get pie, inside jokes, pictures, rants and getting through the season together taught me what it is like to work with a team. They also became my family.

My second year came around and it was then my turn to give the first years (aka freshmen) the same experience that I had. Some of those first years are ones I can now call my sorority sisters and great friends. The members of this program have helped me with a school-wide election and have supported me throughout my college career thus far.

Now, as I just got done with a two-hour practice, I remember why I joined and why I have chosen to stay. The answer is simple. Drake Mock Trial has shaped me in more ways than one. Not only have I learned legal procedure and legality stuff, but I have a family. The people in this program have supported me, gave me a roof to sleep under when the dorms weren’t open yet, have served as guides, gone on pie runs with me and they are people who I have had some of the deepest heart-to-hearts with. I honestly do not know where I would be without my mock family and it does not matter how more busy and distant I become, there’s not one person on that program who hasn’t asked me how things are going.

I love mock trial and all the experiences I have had because of it. Mock trial will forever be the Covington to my Bancroft. (If you’re a mocker, I REALLY hope you understand this reference.)