Team attends the season finale at the 18th annual Michigan State University Model United Nations Conference (MSUMUN).
Notre Dame’s Model UN team at the IA-Wester ”Crisis” Conference: left to right (back row): Jon Raju, Nolan Lawroski, Yilun Zhou, Josh Montpas, Rowland Scheessele. (front row) David Mikkola, Grace Mersino
Notre Dame's team represented the counties of South Korea, Poland and Canada on various committees and engaged in substantive debate on issues ranging from the Security and Humanitarian Situation in Yemen (Security Council) to the Revision of Treaties dealing with the Antarctic and Arctic (UN Legal Committee) and the International Drug Trade (Social and Humanitarian Committee).
Notre Dame delegates articulated their countries' interests in position papers as well as in the caucusing of delegates during full committee sessions. At the closing ceremonies, two Notre Dame students were recognized for special contributions to their committees. Sophomore Jon Karr was awarded a gavel for being the hardest working delegate on his Social and Humanitarian committee and junior John Kenny was given an Excellence award for his work on the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC).
John Kenny and Jon Karr with their Model UN awards at the Oakland University Conference.
Last weekend, April 20-22, Notre Dame's Model UN team attended the 18th annual Michigan State University Model United Nations Conference (MSUMUN). Approximately 38 schools attended this conference, which is one of the largest and most prestigious MUN event held in the state of Michigan.
Many of the strongest teams from the state attended, including delegations from Detroit Country Day School, H.H. Dow High School, IA Central and Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Also present were excellent teams from Milwaukee, Chicago and Cleveland as well as the Collegiate Academy from Erie, Pennsylvania. MSUMUN was a mixed conference with both traditional General Assembly committees and specialized "crisis" committees. Notre Dame sent six delegates to the conference and represented Canada (again) on General Assembly committees, but also participated on an International Olympic Committee and a simulated summit of Silicon Valley executives.
Joe Joppich, president and head delegate of Notre Dame's Model UN team said he really enjoyed MSU-MUN.
"It was my second time going this year, and it was really great to be with such a diverse group of kids who were all interested in global politics," Joppich said. "My favorite part was definitely being able to meet new people and discuss topics that don't always get talked about a lot."
At the closing ceremonies of MSUMUN, Notre Dame students were again recognized with special awards. Junior Lizzie Brouns was given a verbal commendation for her work representing Canada on the Economics and Finance Committee and junior John Kenny was recognized as Outstanding Delegate for also representing Canada on the historical 1962 Disarmament and International Security Committee. On top of all that, Notre Dame's entire delegation was given special recognition during the closing ceremonies with the "Spirit of Sparty" award, which recognizes the school that best represented the spirit and values of Model United Nations.
"The MSU-MUN conference was absolutely phenomenal," said NDP junior John Kenny. "Working on the DISEC 1962 committee as Canada was as much engaging as educational. In the committee, we attempted to solve worldwide problems that were prevalent during 1962, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the militarization of space. The 17-plus hours of debating flew by when I was surrounded by my fellow committee members who were just as passionate as I was about Model United Nations. I highly recommend Model United Nations to anyone looking for an intellectual challenge as well as a great time with great people!"
NDP MUN moderator and social studies teacher Dave Osiecki said after the season concluded that he is very impressed once again with the Model United Nations program in general as a worthwhile activity for all high school students — and he's especially proud of Notre Dame's team this year.
"It is quite an accomplishment to conduct research on very complex real-life (or historical, or speculative) issues and then defend those ideas in debates with many of the sharpest young people in Michigan and the greater Midwest," Osiecki said. "Model UN takes intelligence, courage, patience and a spirit of compromise, and builds high level writing and speaking skills. I am proud of the entire team and especially thrilled with the recognition given our team at MSUMUN. It speaks very well about the character and values of of our Notre Dame students. The MUN season is now over for the academic year, but we will be looking for more members for the Notre Dame MUN team next August."
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.