The Latin School of Chicago

From February 8 to 12, 2000, eighteen Upper School students participated in the University of Chicago's 13th annual Model United Nations. They were among approximately 2,000 student delegates from around the nation and Canada who met for nine hours each day at the Palmer House Hilton to negotiate, write working papers, and debate resolutions.

During the conference the Latin team represented Lebanon. As members of mock U.N. Committees, students tackled a wide variety of complex international issues ranging from free trade, and prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, to the disarmament of paramilitary groups in the former Yugoslavia.

A highlight of this year's meet occurred at 3:30 Sunday morning when David Kargman and Jason Sherwin of the Historical Security Council were called in for a crisis, the 1954 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. They continued to work through the early morning hours to create appropriate resolutions. Jason, a senior, described the long night as "an incredible experience."

"It helped me better to really understand the heightened tension during the Cold War," he explained.

Andrew Block and Ayaka Emoto received recognition at the conference, winning an award for their special efforts on the U.N. High Commission on Refugees.

The Latin team had a strong beginning to its season at the University of Michigan Model U.N. meet in January at Ann Arbor. Representing the United Kingdom, the delegates debated topics such as international terrorism and torture, and the spread of Mad Cow disease. Kudos to senior Andrew Block and junior Betsy Tangora who won awards as members of the Security Council.

For student delegates, both competitions were not only educational but also fun. "The Model United Nations experience combines debate, acting, and academics in one of the most fun and fascinating ways I have ever experienced," commented David Kargman. Sophomore Emily Heroy added, "Model U.N. is a unique experience where teenagers come together to discuss political issues. Not only did I learn about the issues, but I learned how we would go about solving them."

According to faculty advisor Jill Acker, this year's team has been an exceptionally "united and purposeful group" that has devoted hours of work to getting ready for the meets. Special thanks to Andrew Block and Chelsea Ross who led regular strategy meetings and dispensed invaluable advice about politicking techniques.

---First published in LATIN TODAY, January-March 2001