Walking into a Wednesday meeting of Alexandria City High School’s Model United Nations Club, I was immediately struck with eagerness, creativity, community and excitement. Throughout the club meeting, members worked in groups and collaborated with enthusiasm. Ideas are discussed, knowledge is shared, and laughter is prevalent as the club prepares for its exciting upcoming events. The club meets Wednesdays after school in the Minnie Howard Campus library, where they practice, plan, argue and have fun.
Model U.N. is a global academic organization that simulates and reflects the processes of the United Nations and international relations. The club’s main goal is to educate students about the U.N. and help them gain skills like public speaking leadership and teamwork. Students get to participate by acting as a country’s United Nations representative or part of a committee.
“We go to conferences and we hold mini mock conferences to prepare [club members],” said Maddie Cook, club treasurer. “We teach them the skills, we do workshops, and we have guest speakers.”
Throughout the year, ACHS Model U.N. club members attend multiple conferences. Model UN conferences are events where students simulate U.N. committee meetings and debate global issues and events.
Specifically, NAIMUN or the North America International Model United Nations conference, is a standout conference to ACHS Model UN members.
“It’s one of the biggest high school conferences hosted in the country,” said Claire Williams, social media manager. “Clubs come from all over the world, and like 3,000 high school students will attend. We are lucky to be able to attend it.”
“NAIMUN is just a wonderful event,” club Vice President Dalton added. “It’s really nice, you get to be independent and walk around D.C.”
The club also attends smaller conferences throughout the year held at Thomas Edison High school and Thomas Jefferson High school.
In addition, this year, for the first time, the club was invited to the University of Virginia’s Model U.N. conference, VAMUN.
Cook explained that this is “Very exciting because it is a high level conference, so we will go to two big conferences this year and our first overnight conference.”
Being a part of the Model U.N. club has many benefits. It builds community and is an enjoyable experience for members.
“Model U.N. is fun first and foremost. You get to meet people all over the area, all over the country even,” said Carpenter. “I don’t think I would have been the same person without Model UN”.
The club also has many educational and practical benefits.
“It really helps your public speaking skills, you have to write quickly and under pressure,” said Cook.”You have to synthesize ideas, from a bunch of different people who are all trying to fight for their own ideas and interests. You have to bring it all together. It’s really collaborative.”
Being a part of the club can also earn you experiences and awards as well as reflect well on your college applications.
“The awards are really good, especially at NAIMUN, because it is an international thing,” said Dalton.
ACHS Model U.N. also hosts its own conference. This year will be the second ALEX MUN, or the second conference hosted at ACHS.
All members of ACHS Model U.N. leadership are eagerly anticipating hosting this next conference. It was unanimous that last year’s conference was a really good experience but they are looking forward to improving, growing attendances and hosting again this year.
“We are looking forward to it. It was an interesting first conference, we were starting out last year so we did not get a ton of turn out,” Carpenter said.
With many events and learning opportunities coming up this year, the ACHS’s Model United Nations Club proves to be a fun, and beneficial experience for students.
