Today I volunteered (#22 on my 40 before 40) at a mock trial event put on by my alma mater for disadvantaged kids, to encourage them to go to college and possibly law school.  (I know, but maybe the market for them will be better when they hit law school age.)  I loved the fact the two law students I was paired with for coaching our group of 10 students were also non-trad.  One had her MBA and went back for a JD, and the other had gone back in his 30s.  And I got to do my spiel about being a high school drop out (well, sort of) who made good (also, sort of).

Anyway.  I started the morning horrified that these kids were the future.  I mean, they could barely read out loud, and they were grades 6-8.  They were rough.  And I am a snob, I know it.  But then – wow.  We worked with them for a few hours and then they put on a trial. They *put on a trial.*  They rolled with the punches.  Their witnesses didn’t say what they were supposed to, and they adapted.  They picked apart arguments.  Every single kid in our group participated, had fun, and they went from being surly and not friendly with one another (they were from different schools) to being a real team – in the space of a couple of hours.  It was awesome, and I walked out of there feeling like a rock star for having been part of it.

Speaking of walking out of there: I wore heels – for the first time in months.  My poor, poor legs. (I have an awesome collection of shoes, but they definitely need more play. Must get out more.)