MUN team members work with other high schoolers on issues involving Argentina, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and even the planet Mars.
From left, Notre Dame sophomores John Kenny, Lizzie Brouns, Nolan Lawroski and Grace Mersino at the Oakland University MUN conference.
Twelve students represented Notre Dame at Oakland University's Second Annual Model United Nations Conference held March 3-4. The NDP students represented the countries of Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Kazakhstan in a variety of United Nations simulated committees, which ranged from traditional UN committees such as the Disarmament and Security Committee and the Economic and Financial Committee to a simulated 2017 Security Council and a Historical Security Council that discussed the many momentous events that occurred in 1949 and 1950.
Many of the top MUN programs in Michigan attended the OU conference, including Bloomfield Hills High School, Ann Arbor Greenhills School, a number of the International Academies, and the Roeper School from Birmingham.
According to David Osiecki, a social studies teacher in Notre Dame’s upper division and the moderator of Notre Dame’s Model United Nations team, the NDP students at various levels of experience performed very effectively as delegates throughout as they listened to speeches, crafted resolutions, caucused with other delegates and cast conscientious votes.
In fact, he said, at the end of the conference, sophomore John Kenny was awarded a gavel in recognition of his service representing Argentina on the Disarmament and Security Committee.
“The Oakland University student who chaired his committee had nothing but eloquent praise for John's commitment, enthusiasm and growth throughout the conference,” Osiecki said. “And this was only his second Model UN conference ever.”
Heading to East Lansing and Martian colonies
On the weekend of March 17, Notre Dame’s Model UN team attended its first-ever overnight conference as they traveled to East Lansing for Michigan State University’s 17th annual MUN conference. Ten NDP students attended this event, which featured a number of high-powered teams from all over Michigan as well as from Indiana and Illinois.
MSU-MUN award winners, from left, Julia Nellis and Lexi Lawroski.
Notre Dame students represented the nations of Canada and Jamaica on traditional UN General Assembly committees, but also participated in a conference on the African Union, a Pan-Kurdish summit, a futuristic conference on Martian colonies, and a simulation of a global public relations firm, Livraisons Stratégiques.
NDP senior Lexi Lawroski said the MSU conference was the best way to round out her high school MUN career.
“Model UN has been the most fulfilling activity I have partaken in through my time at NDP, and it has greatly shaped the path for my future plans,” Lawrowski said. “Something about a collection of young change-makers sculpts a real optimism for the future of our world.”
Osiecki said the knowledge, passion and level of discussion by all the students at the MSU event were very impressive throughout the conference.
“I would not be surprised at all if many of our future regional, national and international leaders were there at MSU last weekend,” Osiecki said. “Although our commitment at Notre Dame is first and foremost to the educational benefits of Model UN, it is still very exciting for our own students to be recognized for special contributions at a conference like this.”
Notre Dame senior Lexi Lawroski was awarded the prestigious Best Delegate award at MSUMUN for her role in the simulated public relations firm, Livraisons Stratégiques. This was Lawroski’s second Best Delegate award in two years, both at college conferences. Junior Julia Nellis represented Sierra Leone on the Assembly of the African Union and was awarded the book prize of Dayo Olopade's “The Bright Continent: Breaking Rules and Making Change in Modern Africa.”
“I really enjoyed MSUMUN,” said Nellis. “It was an amazing chance to talk with other high schoolers about current world issues, while we attempted to come up with solutions. It was one of the best-run conferences I have attended and winning an award among 700 other students was amazing.”
Osiecki said he was extremely proud of all the delegates that participated in Model UN for Notre Dame this year.
“MUN is a very worthwhile activity that has extensive connections to real-life skills — skills that can be used in business, education, public service and diplomacy,” Osiecki added. “Special thanks to seniors Nicole Oska, Mariel Manzor, Jackie Kenny, Gina Ivory and Lexi Lawroski, who have finished their high school Model UN careers and were instrumental in establishing the team over the last three years.”
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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. The school's upper division 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 divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, 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.