Students win big at Model United Nations competition

The Patchogue-Medford High School Model United Nations (UN) team, accompanied by advisor Lori Botta, recently attended the National High School Model UN in New York City and received the lauded Award of Distinction. 

During this four-day event, Patchogue-Medford represented the country of Luxembourg in simulated debates centered on various topics, including innovations in space technology, global youth access to comprehensive education, and the creation of a global framework for the use of artificial intelligence.

“Our students displayed diplomacy and leadership skills in the true spirit of the United Nations,” said Botta. “We are so proud of their hard work and passion.”

Patchogue-Medford High School Model UN members Anastasia Briggs, Aynalise Costa, Kieran Cowell, Michael DeMasi, Miles Diekmann, Julianna Florea, Charlotte Keyes, and Peyton Senger made up the cohort that represented Patchogue-Medford and was honored with the Award of Distinction.

The students met with the counselor for human rights at Luxembourg’s permanent mission to the United States and asked questions about the issues they were debating and the path to working at the UN. In addition, the Patchogue-Medford students participated in a forum with former United States secretary of state and Central Intelligence Agency director Michael Pompeo. Michael DeMasi and Aynalise Costa asked Pompeo thoughtful questions about his experience in his former roles.

“This was an amazing and unique experience that I guarantee our students will continue to remember,” said Patchogue-Medford School District director of secondary humanities Matthew Hanley. “We thank Ms. Botta, as she dedicated a great deal of time and effort into organizing this event and preparing her students for success.”

The Model United Nations (MUN) originated in the 1920s as simulations of the League of Nations, with the first event held at Oxford University in 1921.

After World War II, these simulations transitioned to modeling the new United Nations, with the first “Model UN” occurring at Swarthmore College in 1947. The activity now hosts thousands of students globally annually.

Originally known as “International Assemblies,” from the 1920s to 1940s, these simulations were designed to teach students about diplomacy. The first American assembly was held at Harvard University in 1923.

Following the founding of the UN in 1945, simulations shifted to the new framework. A key early MUN conference was held at Swarthmore College on April 5, 1947, involving 41 colleges and over 150 students.

The first high school Model UN conference is often cited as being held in 1954 in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) was founded in 1968, expanding the model internationally.

The founding of the UNA-USA Global Classrooms program in 1999 helped democratize MUN, bringing it to more diverse student populations, and it is now a global educational staple with major conferences like National Model United Nations (NMUN).

Local conferences include: the Kellenberg Memorial Model UN (KMUNC), which is ranked as a top conference on the island, it draws significant local participation, the Lee Marcus Model UN Invitational a long-standing invitational that hosts hundreds of students to tackle global issues and the Metropolitan Model UN Club, a key regional organizer that helps facilitate local simulation.