Model UN Team Prepares for Conference

By Talishia Sears

McKinley now has a model U.N. team. The team is sponsored by Ms. Lee-Palis, and consists of 10th graders Elyse Anderson, Christopher Lopez, Robert Young, Alexis Harris, Angel Davis, Bernard Thompson, Takiyah Edmondson, Shankia Floyd, Mariah Brown, and Les'Lee Lewis.

"It's an amazing experience for students, especially those studying the world like the 10th graders I'm taking," said Ms. Lee-Palis.

They have already participated in Part I of the Model United Nations Conference 2008. It was an all day event. The purpose was to prepare for the Major United Nations Spring Conference on April 28th at the State Department. The session introduced students to the United Nations, its purpose and composition, how it works, and the global initiatives that it takes.

Students attended several seminars in which they got to act out being in the general assembly of the United Nations. Sessions included illegal arms sales, water conservation, and the Security Council and its role in the United Nations. Students completed the simulations, attended lectures, met the organizational leaders of the Model United Nations National Capital Area Association, and played a game of Jeopardy to introduce them to the terminology of the United Nations.

On April 5, the students went on a field trip to the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The students got to some of the rooms in the UN building and hear from several ambassadors on topics ranging from Kyoto to Darfur. Later they got to tour the city and they went out to dinner.

Part II will take place on April 28th at the State Department. Schools from across the nation have been invited to attend. Students will compete in a simulation with the other schools. McKinley students' topic is Venezuela and the United States, so they will be representing these countries in issues important to the U.N.

"I would recommend others to get involved with this program," said Mariah Brown. "It not only gives a history lesson, you learn about the present and what life will be like years from now."

By Anna Kinsman |  April 24, 2008; 9:33 AM ET News
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