Mock Con: Room for Improvement

Mock Con: Room for Improvement

As the 2024 Mock Convention comes to a close, what should future students take away?

(Chairs are set up for the final session of Mock Convention on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Source: The Spectator)

Even though I am a senior and Mock Convention rolls around once every four years, I was on the fence whether I would attend this year. I am not a politics major, and the prediction seemed anticlimactic. However, when I considered the limitations imposed by the pandemic during my freshman year, I thought it would be a great opportunity to see the W&L community come together.

And while there was a lot to enjoy — from the pageantry to the parade — there was also a lot that could be improved. Thus, I offer a few critiques of my first (and last) Mock Convention. I hope the Class of 2028 can band together to continue making Mock Con a cherished memory for W&L students — and are humble enough to use spell check.

Empty Chairs

The night before the convention, a student from Southern Virginia University (SVU) reached out to me. She had only recently learned about Mock Con and inquired if there was any possible way to get into the event. Unfortunately, I had to break the news that all tickets were sold out. 

However, at all four sessions I was saddened to see empty chairs, especially during session two. I understand that students can choose the extent to which they want to be involved — and logistically it would be difficult to sell day-of tickets limited to one session — but to me this was yet another example of how W&L students take unique campus opportunities for granted.

(Empty chairs outnumber attendees towards the end of the second session of the 28th Mock Convention. Source: The Spectator)

Praying for Decorum

In an email marked with high importance with the subject “MOCK CON REMINDERS” sent out the morning of the Friday session, the Mock Con team reminded the student body that the dress code was business formal. This certainly was appropriate for the event, and I have to admit it was both strange and refreshing to see professionally dressed peers who typically wear sweats to class. 

Though students were dressed nicely, not all of their behavior matched their appearance. At each session, representatives from various campus religious groups — Reformed University Fellowship, Hillel, Campus Catholic Ministries, and the Muslim Student Association — offered an invocation and (except for the final session) a closing benediction. 

At every benediction, I saw students leaving the room. I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt — the programs, after all, only had a list of speakers for each day, so audience members naturally assumed that the sessions concluded with the last speaker.

Much to my disappointment, however, I watched multiple students leave after pausing to hear each religious representative state their purpose. Even if someone does not come from the same faith tradition, I would hope that students would have enough decency and respect before darting out to be the first in line for Traveller or Fireside.

On a similar note, students far too frequently got up and spoke over the speakers. These were not just quiet commentaries on the speaker, but full-on discussions that ignored the speaker entirely. I get it, some of the speakers went on way too long: Kristen Anderson and The Ruthless Podcast come to mind. But I can only imagine how disheartening it was to the Mock Con staff and guest speakers to see student indifference.

(Attendees converse in a circle while Kristen Anderson speaks on stage. Source: The Spectator)

State Spelling and Pronunciation

I couldn’t help but be impressed by the amount of time and research that the Platform Committee put into the 54-page convention platform. They went through a summer-long writing and revision process, and it shows. 

But not all aspects of Mock Con went through the same diligent review. Take, for example, the big red delegation signs in front of every row. After all, I’ve never been to “Tennesse” or “American Somoa.” But maybe the Mock Con staff in their extensive national travels did.

I have, however, been to Nevada hundreds of times. And I know Mock Con staff fundraised in Las Vegas. Regardless, they mispronounced the state several times during the convention. A minor critique, but I know my fellow Westerners will understand.

Mock Convention 2024: Made in China

The convention platform declares that “the Republican Party seeks to end our nation’s dependence on China — and by extension the CCP — through policies that promote economic independence, self-sufficiency, and expanded domestic production capabilities to shore up our own nation’s strength.”

I find it humorous, then, that the delegation hats placed on every seat featured the “Made in China” tag almost as prominently as “Mock Con 2024.” Even without the production reminder, the hat pales in comparison to its 1976 predecessor on display outside of W&L Special Collections and Archives. Maybe Youngkin can bring a delegate-hat plant to Virginia before the next convention.

[The opinions expressed in this magazine are the author's own and do not reflect the official policy or position of The Spectator, or any students or other contributors associated with the magazine. It is the intention of The Spectator to promote student thought and civil discourse, and it is our hope to maintain that civility in all discussions.]