MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MODEL UN)
The Model United Nations program affords high school students the opportunity to research and debate issues of international importance.Each year our Model UN Club will have the privilege of debating other teams on their selected issues.Students gain an appreciation of international affairs and cultural differences. The program culminates at the YMCA Model United Nations Conference, held in January in Hershey, PA. The program occurs during the school year and is open to high school students and 6th through 8th graders.
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2019 MODEL UNITED NATIONS HIGH SCHOOL CONFERENCE
From Friday, January 4th through Sunday, January 6th, 1800 high school delegates from NY, NJ, MD, DE, and PA, convened for the Model UN Conference in Hershey, PA. The delegates spent the weekend working with their peers to debate and write resolutions on issues like the rights of displaced people, climate change, and LGBTQ rights. Students were tasked with representing the government of an assigned UN member state and creating legislation that aligned with the values and beliefs of that government.
The YMCA had over 50 delegates from local high school in attendance. At the conclusion of the conference, a number of our participants were recognized with awards for their outstanding performance:
> Max Guo (High Tech HS): Outstanding 1st Year Delegate; International Criminal Court
> Raymond Faiella (Red Bank Regional HS): Outstanding Country Research Paper
> Tiffany Kumar (Holmdel HS): Elected Chairperson of the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee
> Shaun Hsueh (Holmdel HS): Premier Diplomat; Asian Pacific Summit
> Kiernan Hesse (Middletown HS South): Premier Diplomat; Historical Security Council
> Nick Skamarak (Holmdel HS): Conference on National Affairs alternate
> Isabella Apostolides (Middletown HS South): Conference on National Affairs alternate
> Len Huang (Holmdel HS): Conference on National Affairs delegate
2019 MODEL UNITED NATIONS MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFERENCE
The weekend of January 11th through 13th was a transformational experience for many local 6th-8th grade students. Students from Markham Place School, Satz School, Thompson Middle School, Indian Hill School, and many others joined the YMCA Delegation to attend the 8th annual Middle School Model UN Conference, held in Hershey, PA. The middle school students spent Friday debating General Assembly topics, including: biological and chemical warfare, sustainable tourism, and the rights of indigenous people. Saturday’s meetings were spent in International Criminal Court, during which students held trials of Mao Zedong, Talaat Pasha, and AO Neville. The final day of the conference was spent debating the global sand shortage.
During final ceremonies, many local students were honored with awards for their stellar performances during the conference, including:
> Joe DeMarco (Thompson Middle School): Premier Diplomat; Envoy A
> Alex Rokkos (Satz School): Outstanding First Year Delegate; Envoy B
> Ryan Limekiller (Thompson Middle School): Outstanding First Year Delegate; Envoy D
> Taryn Gonzales (Thompson Middle School): Outstanding First Year Delegate; Envoy E
> Alexa Kiernan (Markham Place School): Premier Diplomat; Envoy E & Premier Diplomat; Written Press
> Warren McOmber (Thompson Middle School): Premier First Year Delegate; Video Press
> Cami Issenman (Shrewsbury Borough School): Premier Diplomat; Video Press
> Kaylin Han (Satz School): Outstanding Country Research Questionnaire
> Trinity Han (Satz School): Outstanding Country Research Questionnaire
> Jue Gong (Satz School): Outstanding Country Research Questionnaire
> Mira Shah (Satz School): Outstanding Country Research Questionnaire
> Raymond Cai (Satz School): Outstanding Country Research Questionnaire
> Andrea Postigo (Satz School): Outstanding Country Research Questionnaire
> Devon Roth (Satz School): Premier Country
> Ellie Guilfoyle (Satz School): Premier Country
YOUTH & GOVERNMENT
The YMCA’s Youth & Government program affords high school students the opportunity to write their own legislative bill. Students spend one weekend a year with other teen teams from throughout New Jersey to debate and secure passage of their proposed bill in the actual New Jersey Senate/House Chambers in Trenton.
The young people in Youth & Government learn how to solve issues including: environmental, educational, commercial, business, community affairs, governmental, and more. They come away from the program with increased awareness and understanding of our political process, as well as heightened problem solving and critical thinking skills.
For more information or to register for Civic Engagement programs
Call: 732.671.5505, ext. 130
E-mail: jnormyle@cymca.org
