I would not be the student or person that I am today without Mock Trial and We the People – Kate Lantzer

Kate Lantzer is an alumna of both the We the People and Mock Trial programs, as well as a former intern at the Indiana Bar Foundation. We asked Kate to reflect on how the Foundation has influenced her life, and here’s what she had to say.

My name is Kate Lantzer, and I am a sophomore at Miami University studying Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern at the Indiana Bar Foundation, where I learned the ins and outs of how a non-profit is run and networked with Bar Foundation staff, lawyers, judges, and many others.

My favorite projects I got to work on, however, were the ones connected to the Mock Trial and We the People programs.

I graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School in 2023 and consider myself a proud alumnus of these amazing programs. I joined HSE’s Mock Trial program in my junior year because I had decided I was interested in becoming an attorney.

What I did not know at the time was I would gain the most incredible friends and support system from this activity.

In 2023, my team was the Indianapolis Regional Champions; winning that title is one of my favorite memories from high school. Mock Trial consistently teaches me that hard work pays off. I do not think I would be nearly as dedicated to everything I do if I were not a part of a mock trial. Furthermore, when I came to Miami, I decided to join their mock trial program.

Although I think it is possible to be successful in college mock trial without prior high school experience, I believe Indiana Mock Trial gave me a leg up compared to other

 states because of how similar the cases and rules are.

Additionally, during my senior year of high school, I got the opportunity to join HSE’s We the People team. We the People is a program I genuinely wish everyone could experience. It taught me how to respectfully disagree with my peers’ views and how important and valuable it is to do so. I also learned how to be and become a civically engaged citizen. We the People as well teaches students what they are passionate about; I do not think I would have added my Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major without it.

Both these programs changed my life. I would not be the student or person that I am today without them.

I know so many people who feel the same way; it is why others and I jump at the chance to come judge and support our high school teams whenever we are asked. I cannot thank the Indiana Bar Foundation enough for allowing me to be a part of them.