"Why MMT?": Home Away From Home

This blog post was written by junior Kathryn Morris for the “Why MMT?” series in Fall of 2023.

It surprises most people when they find out I left a city surrounded by water and mountains to move to rural Ohio to instead be surrounded by corn fields. In all fairness I never thought I would leave Seattle and move to Ohio. However, after reluctantly visiting Miami University, I fell in love with the beautiful architecture and the Midwest charm I had never experienced. 

After that visit I decided to take the risk and move across the country to go to a college where I knew absolutely no one. Although I knew Miami was the right decision for me, I was terrified. I was scared no one would like me and being 93% extroverted, the thought of being alone was petrifying. 

When I arrived on campus, I had one goal: join the prestigious, well-acclaimed mock trial program. I quickly began working on my application and in normal type A fashion, I submitted it four days early. After checking my email an unhealthy number of times, I finally received a notification informing me that I had received a call back. I went into what the email called a “vibe check” an absolute nervous wreck. To this day I have zero idea what I talked about. After an entire day of overthinking, I received a text from a senior, Cat Lammersen, asking if I could meet her at Armstrong in 10 minutes. 

As I ran across campus thinking I was going into another interview, I sat down wondering what she was going to ask me. But instead, she handed me a red bag, welcomed me into the Miami Mock Trial Legacy, and invited me to a dinner with the seniors along with the rest of my new member class.

I was not nervous at dinner. I looked down the long table with 20+ people and knew I would be accepted. I could feel the competitive, fun-loving nature of those around me and was already looking forward to all the memories we would soon make.  

Writing this and thinking back to that girl who was so scared she wouldn’t make any friends makes me laugh. I now realize the second I was accepted into the Legacy, there would always be people by my side, pushing me and rooting for my future success.

I will always cherish the many road trips, late night practices, and ice cream runs with the people in this program. Miami Mock Trial made my transition to college 2,300 miles from home possible. I now will always think of the small town in rural Ohio surrounded by corn fields as my home away from home.