High School Students Make Their Cases at Model UN Conference
A team of 20 New Rochelle High School students participated in the 25th annual Boston University Model United Nations Conference (BosMUN) Feb. 6 to 8, joining about 3,000 delegates from around the world. This program was sponsored by the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence.
Freshman Samantha Aisner received a Diplomatic Commendation award from the three-day conference. The New Rochelle Model UN members participated in a variety of committees, engaging in debates to get their resolutions passed. Samantha represented San Marino in the UNESCO committee, arguing about the impacts of tourism on world heritage sites.
In advance of the Model UN conference, students are assigned a country and a committee and prepare to present a position paper, role-playing how the country would handle that committee. They meet with the committees, in which students from other schools represent multiple countries, and work together to solve the issue at hand. At the end of the weekend, a resolution is approved and passed by the committee and the moderating board.
“I believe Model UN is extremely valuable to our students,” said social studies teacher Francisco Sandoval, who advises the Model UN Club with Alexis Velez, also a social studies teacher.
“It teaches them how to work in collaboration to solve the world’s problems and creates confident speakers who will advocate for their ideas. We know our students will use these skills well beyond their time here at Model UN,” Sandoval added.
The students agree.
“Model UN has strengthened my public speaking abilities and broadened my understanding of global politics and international affairs,” said senior and Club Co-President Charlotte Fusco. “My time at New Rochelle High School wouldn’t have been the same without the amazing Model UN community.”
Senior and Club Co-President Mollie Aisner said, “Model UN gave me confidence in public speaking, collaboration, and problem solving. I am so grateful for all the people I have met through this club and the experiences that we had together!”
The Model UN Club meets every Thursday at New Rochelle High School in room 367.