DHS Model UN Club Becomes More Competitive

The DHS Model United Nations Club has traditionally attended the Global Classrooms conference in the Grand Hilton, visiting the Manhattan UN building. However, the international event has become more exclusive, and the DHS team was forced to switch conferences.

Last year, the club went to Change the World MUN, but all the participants seemed to be speaking Italian - the Darienites felt like they were at a bit of a disadvantage.

For 2015, the club decided upon a smaller Stuyvesant High School conference in Manhattan. They were better than they realized, winning four awards, including a Best Delegate gavel (highest individual honor).

The club’s competitive instinct was suddenly awaken.

On the train ride home, they discussed the previously inconceivable idea of becoming nationally ranked. Like typical Darien students, they also aim to somehow crush the skilled New Canaan team.

The reelected club president, Nicholas Hartunian, has promised optional extended meetings next year for those who want to develop the oratory, debate, negotiation, and subtle diplomacy skills needed to emerge as a top delegate.

Next year, club administration also hopes to have the team attend Boston College MUN, Cornell MUN, and several other events. BestDelegate.com has a ranking system with modifiers for the prestige and difficulty of conferences, and scores teams based on their performances. With continued success and this new ambitious line up of events, the DHS club could emerge with national recognition.

How exactly students are judged is difficult to explain, but passing UN resolutions, giving powerful speeches, and leading large groups generally yields some award. If you’re interested, plenty of resources are available online to explain the inner-workings of Model United Nations.

Wish the young diplomats luck!

-Nicholas Hartunian (I know, my bias is extraordinary)