From a Land Far, Far Away
By Catherine Lammersen, Class of 2022
This week, we’re focusing on Community and how the Legacy cares for its members. Even though in-person classes have been switched online for some, that doesn’t mean that MMT will lose its signature sense of community. This week, Catherine Lammersen, a rising junior, talks about her experience coming to Oxford, Ohio from a land far, far, away, and finding her community in Miami Mock Trial.
Lammersen with an Outstanding Attorney Award.
It’s pretty clear to people that I’m from California. If you can’t immediately tell by the way I speak, it’ll probably become obvious when I inevitably tell you that I am from California as soon as I can. I grew up in a small town an hour outside of San Francisco, raised by two parents whose families are, in some shape or form, from Ohio.
As much as I love where I’m from, I knew when I applied to colleges that I wanted to leave. I wanted to experience a full four seasons and see a part of the country I’d never been to before.
I applied to eleven colleges, and, per my mother’s request, three of them were in Ohio. I visited all three in April of my senior year, with three weeks left to decide. I chose Miami University for its academic programs, its amazing reputation, and its pristine environment (I would also be lying if I said I didn’t choose it for the Georgian architecture). There I was, happily “experiencing” winter in rural Oxford. Seriously, it’s cold here; though I’m told it’s only cold to someone from California.
The only downside to choosing a college 2,400 miles away from home in the middle of rural Ohio is that not many people choose to attend a college 2,400 miles away from home in the middle of rural Ohio. I knew nobody at Miami. Nobody from my high school was even going to college in Ohio. I was the only one.
When I arrived, I quickly looked for ways to get involved s on campus. In high school, I made the mistake of not getting involved in organizations right away, which left me feeling removed from my school environment. I didn’t want to make the same mistake. I joined a few organizations, but didn’t feel like they let me be totally invested in them. They started slowly with monthly meetings. I wanted more; I wanted to dive in.
So when I got an email from the Law and Public Policy Scholars Program about mock trial auditions, I knew I had to do it. I did speech and debate in high school, so I felt like I had some decent experience. I went to the information session and signed up for an audition slot. I didn’t bring any professional clothes to college with me, so I threw on the most formal dress I brought to college (a bright red sundress -- extremely professional) and borrowed a beige cardigan from a girl in my hall. I showed up to the mock trial room for my 11:15 pm audition slot that lasted 4 minutes and included me saying the words “spill the tea” in an all-too-serious manner.
Lammersen on Bag Day
After refreshing my email until the wee hours of the morning, hoping for an acceptance email, I was shocked when I got my Little Red Bag the next morning before my 8:30 A.M. Spanish class that I strongly considered skipping (read more about MMT’s Bag Day here). I was ecstatic. In the bag I received a card with instructions to text a phone number; I texted the phone number, like I was in a spy movie, and received welcome messages from older members of the program. I was invited to dinner that night with the rest of my new member class, with rides coordinated ahead of time. At dinner, I met people who were already my friends.. And I had only been in the program for 40 minutes.
That day, I became immersed in a community of constant support. I successfully surrounded myself with people who were driven, competitive, and extremely intelligent, and it helped me feel at home at Miami. I was so busy it was fulfilling. I developed friendships I cherish, and shared many late nights and long road trips with the people in this program who I have been so lucky to call my second family at Miami. Joining Miami Mock Trial helped me immensely in my transition to college 2,400 miles away from home. I don’t know what I would’ve done without it.
To make Miami Mock Trial your home away from home, click here to find out more information about our audition process.