Freshman v. Seniors

Yesterday, I judged a competition about civics. Essentially, I listened to local high school seniors give answers to questions relating to the importance, vitality, and changes within the US judicial system. Specifically, the Supreme Court. Many of these kids were nervous. It didn't help that a) this was the first time I've judged such a competition, and my own nerves were palatable, and b) when I introduced myself as a local attorney, I could see their fear.

Still, these kids went through their paces, and many of them were even able to answer the questions I developed and threw at them. I made up these questions as they were speaking. Really, I was impressed. They did no worse than I did when I was called on in law school.

You know those looks. The ones where you know they're watching you, but cannot even listen to what you're asking because you picked them for the torture. Goodness, but what a flashback to having my ConLaw professor call on me.

Today, I went to Momma's school with her and listened to her freshmen give talks about countries they researched for a project. Honestly, it was like listening to someone read the CIA World Factbook out loud. (Aside: I have that site bookmarked. Shut up.) It was pure torture. I actually begged Momma to let me leave. I tried not to openly mock them, and while not entirely successful, I do hope my voice didn't carry.

Now I'm trying to figure out the difference. Is it because of the age and maturity difference? Is it because of the stakes at hand? Momma's kids were doing their reports for some portion of their grade. The competition could possibly lead to a national win.

My thought (not the most p.c. one) has more to do with educational opportunity. The kids in the competition came from more affluent schools. The kids from Momma's school come from much more humble backgrounds. Although I wish it didn't matter, I'm afraid that it does, and will continue to matter. This is something I'd like to remedy. Momma's kids aren't dumb; in fact, they're far from it. But they don't seem to have goals as striving as the kids I listened to in the competition.