On top of Menlo’s seven-block academic schedule, students have access to an array of nearly 90 student-led organizations, each offering its own unique opportunities. Among these clubs, three public-speaking staples have attracted significant popularity and prestige: Debate, Mock Trial and Model UN. But what’s the difference? Beyond the rows of trophies showcasing their success and the occasional informational snippets in Student Announcements, most people only recognize them by name.
Debate
Debate offers the perfect battleground for those who love to win a good argument. Unlike Model UN’s diplomatic discussions or Mock Trial’s courtroom theatrics, debate is all about direct, high-pressure clash: two teams, one resolution and a ticking clock.
Menlo’s debate team began to spark student interest following the coronavirus pandemic. “I think this year we got like 80-something sign-ups,” senior Melanie Goldberg, founder of the team in 2019, said. “We are currently ranked, I think, 13th in the country as a club, which is truly awesome.”
Menlo students are encouraged to join a club that sets them up to later rise through the Upper School: high school novice, junior varsity and varsity, each level with varying requirements that range from two to five tournaments per year.
In a parliamentary debate style, Menlo students are presented with a topic, randomly assigned a side and given 20 minutes to gather information before diving into a heated (but exciting) head-to-head debate. From international affairs to the latest tax policies, the wide range of topics covered call for debaters to prepare themselves with both well constructed arguments and public speaking skills.
“It’s not just an argument. It’s persuasion,” Goldberg said. “All the kids do an incredible job. I won’t call it a real sport, but it definitely takes a lot of mental energy.”
In truth, the tournaments, which generally last up to nine hours, build endurance through memorable experiences.
Mock Trial
From Legally Blonde to Suits, Netflix courtroom dramas keep many students on the edge of their seats awaiting the judge’s final verdict. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into a courtroom as Elle Woods or Mike Ross without a law degree, then Mock Trial might be your calling.
Mock Trial is a competitive activity that stimulates a courtroom trial, with students taking on roles like attorneys and witnesses. The goal is to argue a fictional case before a panel of judges that evaluate each team’s overall presentation. Every team in California is given the same criminal case and must prepare for both sides of the argument. For Menlo’s Mock Trial team, this commitment has paid off: In the past, they’ve won multiple county competitions, reached the state championship podium (of over 500 teams) 10 times out of the last 12 years, and have even been recognized as one of the top programs in the US.
While it may sound like a legal competition, Mock Trial is also a performance art at its core, especially for the witnesses. “Our coaches laid it out to us like a strange play,” sophomore Eilir Bjorlin said, a member on Menlo’s varsity team. “You compete for who’s more believable — who’s guilty of the crime.”
Even so, thoughtful uses of supported evidence are the main factors behind success. At the end of delivering a case, teams receive a verdict from the judge based on performance, but the ruling does not affect who wins in terms of points. Instead, the winner is determined by a separate group of adjudicators, called scorers.
Unlike Model UN and Debate, Mock Trial is a selective club, with tryouts open at the beginning of every season, typically in September, and an expected commitment to the team after.
Model UN
In a world eager for the next generation of sharp-minded leaders, Menlo students have the opportunity to negotiate resolutions and solve global issues first-hand.
Model UN is a replica of the United Nations, a real-life international organization committed to maintaining world peace. The issues discussed in Model UN conferences are often based on real-world issues like climate change and global security, mixing realism with role-play to create immersive experiences for student delegates. “It’s kind of like a looser, low-pressure version of debate,” freshman Kaitlyn Mi said.
Contrary to Debate and Mock Trial, this club does not require a year-long or even semester-long commitment. Students are free to drop into meetings as they please, but many, like Mi, look forward to sticking with Model UN for the rest of high school.
Conferences are a central aspect that span over two to three days. Each day consists of multiple sessions where delegates from all over the country gather to engage in moderated and unmoderated caucus, or structured and unstructured discussions. However, although special awards are allocated to separate individuals, there are no winners. Since they occur at universities across the country, students also have the chance to briefly tour campuses, savor a fresh view and meet current college students.
“Model UN is definitely a unique event that’s unlike any other sort of debate or competitive environment. You get to experience debating from not just one person’s perspective, but a whole country’s perspective,” Mi said.
