Junior Sam Sheldon remembers well the moment he approached the stand as a witness for Paly’s Mock Trial team at a state-wide tournament.
Decked in a black pinstriped suit, his face showcased a smug yet dignified expression. The bags under his eyes from lack of sleep hinted that he had been up since two a.m. preparing for this moment. He could either make or break his case.
The judge asked, "Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"Yes," Sheldon answered.
After he delivered his testimony, the most nerve-wracking section of the trial transpired — cross-examination. The prosecuting attorney stepped towards Sheldon, with a hint of intimidating glee in his eyes, and started firing his questions.
Back in the hot seat, Sheldon beautifully, as he describes it, dodged every bullet and provided his alibi, a claim that could prove his innocence or be rejected by the jury. When the intense question-answer round was over, the jury, comprised of professional lawyers, deliberated — but not on a verdict. They deemed Sheldon’s and the rest of his defense team’s performances to be excellent, and ranked Paly’s Mock Trial Team 10th in the state of California.
Sheldon has practiced this routine innumerably. As a member of Paly’s Mock Trial Club, he has been drilled to debate and think on his feet. While rehearsing for competitions, the club assembles two to three times per week, for three hours each.
The team consists of 16 students who won their parts after a set of relentless auditions. Sam is not only proud to be a participant of last year’s tournament, but he eagerly anticipates the commencement of this year’s activities.
"I can’t wait for the club to start," Sheldon said. "I’m hoping to land a role on the prosecution."
As a witness, Sheldon assumes the role of a character whose story and side of the argument he must memorize. However, he attempts to create his own style and bring something unique and original to his role. From this standpoint, Sheldon is the epitome of an American all-rounder; he works each of his talent-requiring activities into a busy schedule.
"I try and challenge myself… if I set my mind to it, I go for it," Sheldon said about himself. "I’m pretty competitive!"
Another one of his passions is rowing. As a member of the Palo Alto Rowing Club, Sheldon rises each morning for a 4:45 to 6:30 a.m. session, after which he goes right to school. Conditioning includes land practice, during which he either runs three to six miles, or ergs, training with a rowing machine. He even participated in an "Ergathon" last year as a novice, and rowed non-stop for one hour.
"You would think [erging] would be tough on your arms, but my legs work up more of a sweat," said Sheldon.
When spring draws near, and the water becomes warmer, he and his fellow crew mates head out to the Redwood City Port, which feeds into San Francisco Bay, and are required to practice synchronized rowing. Last May, Sheldon’s boat placed in the top three at the CSUS Aquatic Center Championships held at Lake Natoma, Sacramento. At each of the other crew competitions he attended, his boat won first place.
Sheldon will be on the varsity team this coming season.
" [Rowing] takes an incredible amount of dedication and commitment," Sheldon said.
In addition to mock trial and crew, Sheldon still finds time to direct Paly World history teacher Mike McGovern’s reenactments, interactive presentations to be shown to McGovern’s freshmen as a parallel to the curriculum. Sheldon is currently working on "Black Death," the reenactment he acted in as a sophomore.
There is something about the performing arts which appeals to Sheldon. Perhaps it’s the drama or maybe it’s the thrill, but whatever the real reason, Sheldon finds his range of artistic expression extremely fulfilling.
Sheldon is considering a career in either political science or economics.
"I basically just do things that I think are fun," Sheldon said about his achievements. "I guess I’m just very focused."