Little Red Bags: MMT’s “Bag Day”
This week, we are looking to the future. Miami University announced its plans to hold in-person classes up until Thanksgiving Break which means, somehow, we will have in-person meetings. And we will have in-person auditions. That got us excited for Bag Day—the day prospective Mockhawks learn whether they made the team. This week, we asked Emma Leonard, a rising junior, to talk about her experience on Little Red Bag Day.
Leonard, right, with fellow competitors Maddie Witte, left, and Briana Cowman, center, after winning an outstanding witness award.
When I first came to Miami, I really only knew two things: where Bagel and Deli was, and that I wanted to be a member of Miami Mock Trial. I had done mock trial for three of my four years of high school- and I definitely caught major courtroom fever.
I found the flyers around campus, I found MMT at Megafair, and I signed up for an audition slot. I practiced my speech over and over and prepared my witness the best I could. I read the FAQ’s on the Join page. I went to the information session and I talked to the members and the coach representatives that were at the meeting. I did everything right.
See, I was determined to join. My senior season of high school mock trial had ended with a state championship and I had made it to the college of my dreams who just so happened to have one of the top mock trial programs in the country.
I went into my audition more confident than ever. I honestly felt like I had it in the bag.
And then came out the bags. They don’t tell you this—but I’m telling you now—you want a little red bag. When MMT is ready to bring you into the fold, you will be presented with a little red bag containing everything you need to start with MMT. A note congratulating you on your acceptance. MMT’s login information to the AMTA site. A few insider materials for access to the highest-level mock trial in the country. That bag is your ticket. You could get your bag any time—walking to class, in a dining hall, at a coffee shop, at the Rec Center, literally anywhere. Everyone who auditioned is on the lookout for an MMT member walking towards them with one of those little red bags and a big smile on their face. In Greek Life, the day your sorority accepts you is “Bid Day.” MMT has “Bag Day.”
On Bag Day, I watched my classmates (later to be teammates) receive their red bags and invitations to the team one by one, still holding out hope that one would come to my later classes.
It didn’t. And when I checked my inbox later that day my growing suspicions were confirmed. I didn’t make it.
I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I was crushed. Maybe I could try Model UN, maybe join Greek life, maybe go back to try Speech and Debate? Over the next academic year, I bounced from club to club, passing the time and wondering whether I should audition again.
By the time sophomore year rolled around, I had a solid group of friends, my sorority, and even a 4PAWS dog around every once in a while; but it wasn’t enough. I missed being competitive, I missed the trophies and the celebrations, but more than anything I missed being a part of a team
Then I met Zion Miller (who later became my big—MMT has an internal big-little program). Zion told me how he had been through the exact same thing. He told me that he didn’t make it his first audition either and couldn’t recommend enough that I give auditions a second go around. I decided to take his word for it.
By the time my second audition came, I was shaken beyond belief. My freshman year invincibility had worn off, and the creeping doubts of “I wasn’t good enough the first time, why would I be accepted now” and “I can’t go back to Model UN” seemed to overwhelm me. Seriously, I really didn’t want go back to Model UN.
One thing they tell you that you don’t know how true it is until you experience it: auditions are fast. You walk into a room with all the coaches—attorneys who came from work earlier in the day so they’re in suits and such, adding to the intimidation factor—and they just tell you to start talking. They stop you, maybe give you some direction, you talk some more, answer a few questions, and you leave. It’s quick. I knew from last year I had to make an impression and fast.
[Eds. Note: Our audition process will change again from what Leonard experienced, but she’s right—auditions go fast!]
So, I walked in. I gave a different speech and portrayed a different witness than the year before. I talked with the coaches and answered their questions. I told them I auditioned last year, and they remembered me—that felt good.
This time, I didn’t think I had it in the bag. Instead, I was proud with the performance I gave, and I promised myself I would be happy with the results, regardless of what they were.
But I’ll tell you, when I saw Maddie Witte with that little red bag and when I read my note congratulating on making it into the Legacy, it was all worth it.
Leonard (and Miller for that matter) are some of the rare few that we can’t take one year but happily take the next. We’re happy Leonard (and Miller) decided to audition a second year. If you want to be a part of Bag Day and vie for a little red bag of your own, check out our auditions process here. If you are searching for answers to your questions about MMT, AMTA, auditions, or anything else mock trial at Miami University, check out our FAQ’s here.