By Taylor Mola – Staff Reporter

The Model U.N. Club recently traveled to the National High School Model United Nations Conference which was held in New York City from March 12-15.

This U.N. conference was the largest in the world with over 3,500 students from over 70 countries attending. It was filled with many memorable experiences and learning opportunities for the students, and it taught them how to act as delegates from countries.

“This year we represented Indonesia, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago,” Co-Advisor Ms. Healy said.

To prepare for the trip, students spent the year writing research papers, learning about their assigned country and committee, and practicing their debate skills and public speaking. 

“Before the trip, we worked on preparing for the conference as best as possible,” President Senior Deepika Chitirala said. “This included each delegate writing a position paper on their assigned topic from their country’s perspective. We also studied parliamentary debate styles and learned the common vocabulary used by the chairs leading the sessions and by fellow delegates.”

One of he highlights of the trip was an in-person appearance from former President Joe Biden, who spoke about from him about his  journey through politics and public service. He also took questions from the audience.

Students gained many important skills from their time in New York.

“I got better at public speaking as I would have to regularly go in front of over 100 people and speak, as well as the opportunity to talk to people from all across the world,” junior Aryan Sikhinam said. “On this trip, I got to debate topics that affect the world and try to make a change in how legislation affects places around the world.”

At the conference, Law students spent 20 hours in their sessions with other students from all around the world. Every student was roleplaying as a delegate from a different country that they were assigned to, and had to work cooperatively to solve different international issues.

“The results of this trip are that all of our students’ committees passed resolutions to address these international issues,” Co-Advisor Mr. Evanko said. “Students also made friends from around the world and had fun expanding their debate and research skills.”