As Lauren Patterson walked into the tryout room, silence filled
the air, indicating a level of tension created by high
expectations.
The captains of the UCLA Mock Trial Team asked her how her
weekend went.
“Boring,” she said.
But even if her first impression was stoic, her demeanor
suddenly changed as she began the audition. She lit up with energy,
delivering a dramatic performance and ending with a compelling
witness portrayal in contrast to her initial behavior.
Such dramatic, captivating performances are a part of the
winning reputation of the UCLA Mock Trial Team.
The UCLA Mock Trial program, sponsored by the UCLA Pre-Law
Society, was formed eight years ago and has taken first place in
regionals for the past six years.
It is one of over 500 university teams sponsored by the American
Mock Trial Association, which holds competitions on local, regional
and national levels. UCLA is one of only three teams to win the
national championship in two consecutive years.
Now, having attained national championships two years in a row,
the team is working to break a Mock Trial record by winning a third
consecutive national championship this spring during a national
competition.
The club held tryouts this weekend, with over 100 UCLA
undergraduate students competing for around 40 spots.
Patterson, who tried out Saturday, said her four years of high
school experience in Mock Trial gave her the confidence to showcase
her talents.
Acting ability is one of the many qualities the captains look
for in potential members.
“We look for people who are poised and have charisma and
natural ability, qualities revealed through confidence,” said
Mock Trial director Jenna Hamerling.
Amanda Bonn, Mock Trial program coordinator and varsity team
captain, said the team desired “outgoing people who have an
engaging personality and a natural presence and talent for speaking
in front of other people.”
Whether or not the confidence and qualities come from past
experiences with similar programs, the executive board works to
assemble a tight-knit group of people who are ready to take on the
challenge of winning a third national title.
“We look for the potential in the applicant, and we will
teach the skills so that we can win this together,” Bonn
said.
Last year, the team was not as experienced as in previous years,
and was somewhat wary about competing on the national level. One of
the witnesses ““ one role played in a mock trial competition
““ had no prior experience in Mock Trial, debate or law.
After working over 10 hours a week, she was able to not only
help the team win nationals, but was ranked among the highest
witnesses, Bonn said.
“Experience is not always necessary; what makes a winning
team is each individual willing to make victory their utmost
priority, and doing whatever it takes to reach that goal,”
Bonn said.
Being critical of one another and working to perfect every
aspect, from choosing the best words for the opening statement to
delivery, are some of the key strategies for Mock Trial to win the
tournament, Bonn said.
Leah Kagan, who has been in the program for two years, said the
benefit of being in Mock Trial extends beyond learning how to
communicate effectively and learning about law.
“It gives me the confidence to stand up in front of a real
judge and present an argument despite his disagreement,”
Kagan said.
Bonn said their goal is to make UCLA’s Mock Trial program
the best in college history.