Glenbrook North Model UN Takes 3rd Place On World Stage

NORTHBROOK, IL — The Glenbrook North High School Model United Nations team was awarded third place in its first time at the world's preeminent Model UN competition. Over the course of three days last month in New York, nine Glenbrook North students joined thousands of others from 75 countries at the National High School Model United Nations Conference. Previously, the 25-member club at GBN had only taken part in regional competitions, according to Glenbrook High School District 225. But after deciding to compete on the global stage, the team was honored at the United Nations General Assembly Hall and students found themselves meeting face to face with diplomats from the country they represented.

The team was assigned the role of delegates from New Zealand at the competition, which judges students on their speaking, research, diplomacy and negotiation skills as they simulate the work of United Nations committees, according to the district. Students were later invited to the permanent diplomatic mission of New Zealand at the United Nations, where they met its deputy director and heard directly about the issues facing the South Pacific island nation of 5 million. Social studies teachers Jerome Hoynes and Michael Rast are faculty sponsors of the club at GBN.

“This is an awesome accomplishment especially since it was our first time there,” Hoynes said. “To be so small and win at that level, means every one of our students must have done very well in each of their committees."

The club meets weekly at GBN to prepare for competitions where students research, roleplay and debate contemporary issues in UN committees.

“Students run the meetings, they develop the topic ideas, talk about how to strategize, how to do their best in committee and they teach the new students," Hoynes said.

Team members described the work as grueling but valuable, teaching skills that range beyond international relations, according to the district.

“Different countries have so many different views that creating consensus and compromise is hard, but when you achieve it it’s wonderful," student Sarosh Nagar said.

Fellow student Campbell Sharpe described the experience as "intense."

“We discussed one topic for three days straight with the same people. When we got back to the room every night we would organize meetings with other delegates for the next morning before committee,” Sharpe said.

“The days are long and the work is arduous," said student Daniel Reisner. “It was a nonstop cycle of writing, talking and debating."

Student Kacie Leidwinger said the event broadened her awareness of the complexity of global issues and honed other skills.

“Model UN taught me critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as forced me to make my writing more concise, active and direct," Leidwinger said.