2015 Model UN Trip

Over the past weekend, Catholic Central students traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan to participate in the University of Michigan Model UN Conference. Students participated in a United Nations-simulation where they represented Liberia, Syria, or East Timor in various different UN committees. Before attending the conference, each student was assigned both a UN committee and a country by Model UN organizers to research and prepare papers on for the simulation. While in Ann Arbor, they participated in authentic UN meetings and discussed given global topics and problems. From there, they joined with other delegates to draft working papers and write resolutions to solved these problems. Some of the topics in committee were more controversial, such as cyberwarfare and the militarization of the internet, water conflict over the African Great Lakes, or preserving Syrian cultural heritage, and led to heated debate among the delegates. Our students each contributed well throughout the four-day conference. 

Overall, students had a great time discussing global topics within their committees and sharing research and opinion with other delegates. This was the University of Michigan’s largest conference yet and also one of Catholic Central’s largest participation. Next year we hope to include even more CCHS students on the trip!

2015 Model UN Members

Caleb Celano voting on a motion in the Future Security Council.

Of his time in Model UN, he said: “It was an unforgettable experience in which you actually feel as if you are a UN delegate! Not to mention you get to go ice skating and dancing! It was an unforgettable time and I'm already ready for next year!”

Gavin Clayton, Jack Horner, and Jack DeSmidt along with another delegate drafting working papers for a resolution on the demilitarization of the ocean floor.

Sarah Counsell, Sam Milligan, Natalie Rach, and Nicole McCourt participating in UNESCO.

Students were also able to go ice skating at the University of Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena and attend a delegate dance the following night.

Students participated in various committees representing assigned countries:

• Disarmament and International Security Council (DISEC)
• Gavin Clayton: Liberia
• Jack DeSmidt: Syria
• Jack Horner: East Timor
• Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Affairs Committee (SOCHUM)
• Sarah Counsell: Liberia
• Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL)
• Jake Webley: East Timor
• Chris Carlock: Syria
• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Natalie Rach: East Timor
• Nicole McCourt: Syria
• Sam Milligan: Liberia
• Joint Committee (JOINT)
• Flint Bornstein: Godai Tomoatsu
• Arctic Council (ARCTIC)
• Kalle Johnson: East Timor
• Future Security Council (FSC)
• Caleb Celano: Liberia
• United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• Tyler Kurpiel: Syria
• Kross Krueger: Liberia

If you are interested in signing up for Model UN next year, stop by and talk to Ms. Dosemagen!