HHS Model Congress Team Captures 17 Awards at UPenn Competition

The Harrison High School Model Congress team had one of its most successful conferences on record at the 20th Annual Penn Model Congress competition in Philadelphia– winning 17 awards, passing 14 bills in committee, 2 bills in Full Session, and achieving a Golden Gavel or Best Delegate.

Harrison High School sent 20 delegates to compete against over 700 students from across the nation. Students drafted original legislation and competed in committee and full session simulation of the United States Congress.

“The weekend was full of spirited debate from both sides of the aisle, and we can say without a doubt that Harrison students represented our district admirably,” said Meghan Orban, who is a co- advisor of the HHS Model Congress team alongside Laryca Makarczuk. “Harrison High School delegates accounted for 25% of the total gavels awarded at the conference.”

Bills Passed in Full Session:

Jess Hart, Green House “An Act to Legalize Euthanasia in all States”

Miwa Goble, Red House “An Act to Reduce Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Regarding Controlled Substances”

Individual Awards:

Honorable Mention in Committee Sessions:

Brian Aslanian – White House Financial Services
Jake Colaccia – White House Oversight & Gov’t Reform

Gavels for Best Speaker in Committee Sessions:

Jack Roscho – Blue House Intelligence
Keon Azar – Blue House Judiciary
Ben Stein – Blue Senate Environment & Public Works
Amelia Fischer – Red House Education & Workforce
Miwa Goble – Red House Ethic
Ari Heilbrunn – Red House Science Space And Tech
Matthew Schwartz – Red Senate Appropriations
Christian Steins – Red Senate Armed Services
Samara Lipman – Red Senate – Environment & Public Works
Julia Appelbaum – White House Education & Workforce

Full Session Best Speaker Awards

Matthew Schwartz – Honorable Mention, Red Senate
Julia Appelbaum – Honorable Mention, White House
Matt Griff - Honorable Mention, White Senate
Christian Steins– Outstanding Delegate, Red Senate
Jake Colaccia – Best Delegate (Golden Gavel), White House

The Penn Model Congress conference has often featured many Harrison High School alumni. HHS alum Sam Colangelo was the Executive Director for this year’s conference, and HHS alumni Ariel Colangelo and Dillon Bogart were session chairs for the event. Dillon, last year’s HHS Model Congress President, is a current freshman at Wharton at UPenn and Ariel Colangelo, founding member of HHS Model Congress, graduated UPenn in 2010. Mr. Colangelo, also a former HHS Model Congress president, gave the opening remarks, citing that he “began competing at Penn Model Congress 7 years ago, and could never have dreamed he would one day be hosting the event himself”. Additionally, HHS alum Daniel Maldonado, while no longer participating in Model Congress, is a ranking member of the Executive Board for Model UN.