CLUB SPOTLIGHT: MODEL UNITED NATIONS

For students interested in global issues, diplomacy, leadership and public speaking, the Model United Nations club offers great opportunities to hone skills and make friends. Atlantic Community High School’s Model United Nations team attends three conferences around the state each year, addressing problems ranging from global warming to drug trafficking. The team also hopes to attend a special conference in Washington D.C. in March. 

The Model United Nations Club meets every other Wednesday in the Media Center after school until 4:50 p.m. Teachers Ann Magelinski and Karen Cruz advise the club. 

The team’s first conference of the 2016-2017 school year took place at the University of Central Florida in Orlando from Oct. 21 through Oct. 23. Students represented specific countries, and chose committees organized to address key global issues. They included children’s education in underdeveloped countries; the economic impact of space exploration; child marriage; avoiding corruption among peacekeepers serving in conflict zones, and more. Atlantic High’s students earned special recognition in several areas: 

• Senior Kate Welz, representing Zimbabwe in the U.N. Peacekeepers Committee earned the “Best Position Paper” award. 
• Senior Zachary Ray, also representing Zimbabwe, earned an “Honorable Delegate” award for his contributions to the U.N. Human Resources Committee. 
• Senior and Club President Molly Magmas, representing Iraq in the UNICEF Committee, also received an “Honorable Delegate” award. 
• Senior Andre Taylor received verbal recognition while representing Norway in the U.N. Human Resources Committee. 

The team is currently reaching out to potential sponsors in the hopes of raising enough money to send students to Washington D.C. in March, said senior and Team Secretary Sofia Rivero. “It’s a really good way to learn what’s going on around us, to meet new people, and to travel,” Rivero said. 

Senior Isabeau Cordes said participating in Model U.N. has helped her gain confidence in public speaking. The group has grown quickly in a few years, to nearly 60 students this year, she said. 

The team started three years ago when Senior Alexis Fisher made starting the group her IB personal project, and just nine students were involved, Cordas said.  “I love talking about politics and current events. It’s a really good way to get used to speaking in front of people about the things you are interested in.” 

For more information about Model UN or about how you can help sponsor their trip to Washington, D.C., contact Ann Magelinski at ann.magelinski@palmbeachschools.org. —Stacey DeLoye