On Friday, Jan 10, Scotch Plains-Fanwood students involved with Model United Nations packed their bags and made the trip over to the Hershey Lodge for a three-day conference. Delegates represented countries from around the world to engage in intense debates, resolution writing and collaborative action to address a variety of international issues.
The delegation of Scotch Plains-Fanwood rigorously planned for the conference by researching for their government research papers, and the Youth Secretary aided delegates in preparing for the conference as well as fundraising to lower the cost of the trip for all. The conference would not have happened of course without the advisors, Erin Sassaman and Brooke Oels who orchestrated the entire trip.
SPF made a notable impact at the conference, walking away with many awards. For premier country, Liam Kendall and Lucy Panas won the award. The Outstanding Government Research Paper award was granted to Emily Clarke. The Premier first-year delegate was Leah Genato. Lastly, Gabby Suriani was named Priemer Diplomat in her committee and won the position of chair for the World Health Organization Committee for the following year.
After arriving on Jan 10, delegates gathered for lunch and the opening ceremony. Many Model UN leaders briefed students on the weekend and what to expect. Delegates then promptly attended their first committee sessions where the members took time to get to know one another. The same sequence of events happened that night, after dinner delegates attended their second committee session where resolutions were already being debated.
“There’s this point during the second Friday session where delegates are getting the grasp of things. We have made friendships, resolutions are on the floor and everything is flowing,” senior Amanda Smith said.
Delegates made their way back to their rooms after the mandatory delegation meeting and were promptly woken up bright and early the next morning for another day of debate. Breakfast was served in the Great American Hall, however many delegates opted for fun coffee beverages at the Cocoa Beanery.
Three sessions, two meal times and one organized crisis later, an accumulation of social activities were available to delegates in the evening. Delegates could attend the MUN dance, watch the Steelers v. Ravens football game, watch Moana or take some quiet study time to catch up on work.
On the final day of the conference, delegates attended one last committee session where they got to vote on the committee officer for the next year. The conference officially ended with the Closing Ceremony where awards were presented and staff members reflected on the weekend. Delegates said goodbye to their newly made friends and began to head home. Over the course of the weekend, many delegates face overarching challenges and anxieties that can make the experience difficult. One of the junior Youth Secretaries has a comment on this.
“The fact that you’re there, that you might be nervous, but you still got on that bus and raised your placard, that’s personal growth,” Emma Telpis said.
Delegates left with more than just a deeper understanding of global issues, they gained valuable experience in diplomacy, collaboration and leadership. This program reaffirms the need for young voices to participate in politics since they are the future.
