The Page Note: Practice Makes Perfect

Courtney Hersch and Sydney Robinson

Sky Family Delegation and Suncoast Delegation

We all have to start somewhere, and if you’re in the legislature, your starting point is at the very bottom: Bowen. Those of us that spent our first days in Bowen can all attest to the importance of our first moments in the actual Capitol building. We felt powerful sitting in those cushioned seats. Little did we know what lied behind the doors of Sullivan and Williams. A whole new world of desk spaces and debate awaited us.

Freshmen and Sophomore first years in the legislative branch are automatically filtered into the Bowen Senate or House of Representatives. Sullivan contains second year sophomores, first year juniors, and first and second year seniors. Williams, which is considered the highest house, seats third year juniors, seniors and delegates who’ve participated in the program more than four years.

Williams Representative Katey Andersen from the Suncoast Delegation felt an overwhelming sense of awe when she entered Williams House for the first time. “Everyone has a much stronger sense of what they’re doing here. It’s much more realistic than Bowen was,” Representative Andersen said. “The room is much fancier and everyone is much more mature and prepared.”

Sullivan Representative William Moorehead, Suncoast delegation, felt similarly when he transitioned from Bowen to Sullivan. “I felt much more important in the Sullivan House of Representatives. The ideas debated are much more thought out,” Representative Moorehead said. “I’m pumped to move up to Williams next year.”

Just as the legislators advance through Bowen, Sullivan, and Williams, the delegates in the Judicial Branch grow from District Court to the Supreme Court.

The foundation of the Judicial Branch begins at District Court. District Court is comprised of freshman and sophomore first- year judicial delegates. They begin their journey by researching a designated case.
“At home, we research anything relevant to our assigned case,” explained District Attorney Reha Patel, West Central Florida Delegation. “Once we get assigned to our firm, we share anything and everything that we have.”

After researching their case, the firm presents their argument to Graduate Advisors. Practice makes perfect, as their wide eyes and anxiety turns into elegance and confidence that will be essential in the later years of Supreme Court where they will present in front of their peers.

“After we present our case to the graduated advisors, we may get the honor of presenting our case in the Supreme Court,” said District Attorney Kaitlyn Salyer, Sky Family Delegation. “Which is so exciting since it’s the next step in the Judicial Branch.”

The next step in the ladder to the top is Supreme Court. In your chapter, you are assigned a firm and a case, from which you must debate both sides. Supreme Court Attorneys are act as both an attorney for the petitioner, and the respondent. They even ask questions and rate their peers’ performance as delegate justices.

“Supreme Court requires a lot of research and thinking on your toes,” remarked Supreme Court Attorney Julia Agranove, Sky Family Delegation. “It is important to answer the justice’s questions with confidence and evidence.”

Once they have finished presenting their case to the Supreme Court Justices, they may have the opportunity to move on to the finals. At the finals, the chosen firms go against each other in front of all of the Judicial presiding and supporting officers.

As we look back at this amazing State Assembly we recognize that all our success is due to our foundation of our respective branches. Practice makes perfect. Try your best at everything that you do so that one day, your dream may become your reality.