By Journalist Kennedy Thomason (OSU)
Rep. Carlos Vazquez (ORU), a zero star, said he feels confident in his ability to compete in moot court. In a sea of fresh faces, zero stars are feeling comfortable in their unfamiliar roles.
The first session of the 55th session of Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature commenced Wednesday evening, welcoming approximately 63 zero stars.
Rep. Kylee Laginess (OBU), a zero star, said she was surprised by the size of the newest class.
“I’m actually the only zero star in my delegation,” Laginess said. “So it was kind of weird to come in and be like, ‘Oh yeah, the biggest class ever’ because I was like, ‘Oh, we actually don’t have that many people.”
During his opening speech, Gov. Evan Shaw noted that OIL’s session numbers are larger than previous years.
There are 193 bills and more than 140 delegates competing, compared to the 97 delegates in attendance last session.
He credited the growth to leaders at all levels.
“In my memory, and the memory of your officers, we’ve never had this many moot court participants or journalism participants,” Shaw said. “We are very, very thankful for all of you, for your delegations and for your efforts to recruit.”
Rep. Ava Carr (NWOSU), a zero star, said the large class is not intimidating. Instead, she said it is comforting to be a part of.
“Being a zero star and having there be a lot of other zero stars, it’s not that stressful because everyone also doesn’t really know what they’re doing,” Carr said. “So it’s not too bad because you’re not the only one.”
But Rep. Carlos Vazquez (ORU), a zero star, said that the large class does not equate to minimal experience.
“Even though I’m a zero star, and even though a lot of people haven’t done this before, I still feel like there will be a lot of collaboration and a lot of people wanting to get involved,” Vazquez said.
Although Vazquez is a member of the House, he said that he is most confident competing in the moot court competition.
Because he has worked at a law firm for three years, Vazquez said he feels equipped to handle the rigor and level of competition.
“I feel really confident,” Vazquez said. “I shouldn’t, but I feel really confident.”
For Laginess, her experience as a page is knowledge she plans to utilize to learn as she continues through session.
Although it differs from her work experience, Laginess said she is grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m really appreciating the way OIL accurately depicts the actual legislation and state,” Laginess said.
Rep. Carlos Vazquez (ORU), a zero star, said he is feeling confident about competing in moot court.
“I feel really confident,” Vazquez said. “I shouldn’t, but I feel really confident.” “I think as confident as I am, I still have to be nervous for moot,” Vazquez said. Vazquez said that the large class of zero stars does not equate to minimal experience.
“Even though I’m a zero star, and even though a lot of people haven’t done this before, I still feel like there will be a lot of collaboration and a lot of people wanting to get involved,” Vazquez said.
Laginess served as a page for two years
“I got to see the floor part of everything House-related, but I never got to see the behind-the-scenes stuff,” Laginess said. “And I’m really appreciating the way OIL accurately depicts the actual legislation and state.”
“I’m actually the only zero star in my delegation,” Laginess said. “So it was kind of weird to come in and be like, ‘Oh yeah, the biggest class ever’ because I was like, ‘Oh, we actually don’t have that many people.”
Laginess said she has prepared with more than 180 pages for the moot court competition. Rep. Ava Carr (NWOSU), a zero star, said she is along for the ride.
“Being a zero star and having there be a lot of other zero stars, it’s not that stressful because everyone also doesn’t really know what they’re doing,” Carr said. “So it’s not too bad because you’re not the only one.