KERNERSVILLE — If you need answers to the world’s most pressing problems, skip Congress and ask the Triad’s middle-school Model United Nations (MUN) country delegates.
On Feb. 25, Bishop McGuinness High School hosted 170 students from its five feeder schools, St. Leo the Great and Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem, Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point, and Our Lady of Grace and St. Pius X in Greensboro, for a MUN Conference centered around making the Milan Olympics more environmentally friendly.
MUN is a simulation in which students role-play as diplomats from different countries to solve global issues through research, debate and building consensus to pass resolutions.
From carpools to recyclable cups to solar panels, delegates representing countries from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Colombia argued their stance on how to transform the Olympic venue into a cleaner, greener and more environmentally sustainable arena – and then were thrown for a loop.
“An hour in, my guys developed a crisis – all the snow melted. They were now using artificial snow. That snow created an environmental hazard. What should be done?” said history chair and MUN facilitator David Seidel. “This is all to see how fast they are able to react with problem solving.”
The crisis introduction is a critical moment when delegates must pivot and use their research for on-the-spot strategy planning.
While the delegates hashed out whether to ship in ice from abroad or move to an indoor venue, a panel of three student leaders, called the “Dais”, mediated the organized chaos.
As senior Adam O’Connell said, “I love this because I love public speaking, monologuing and saying things dramatically. This is my last Model UN, and I’m super proud of these middle school students. This is one of the most engaging rooms I have ever seen.”
Principal Claire Willis was impressed that her students adapted so effectively.
“We should do this more often. They are really doing such a good job with it,” Willis smiled. “Maybe let them have a little more control every once in a while and see where they take it.”
By the end of the day, Milan remained unchanged, but the teachers, administration and graduating seniors left reassured that, thanks to their Catholic education, the future looks pretty bright and green in the next generation's hands.
— Lisa M. Geraci, photos by Julia Fergus and Crystal Glover
