For many high school students across the United States, Model United Nations provides an opportunity to practice public speaking skills while finding solutions to the world’s problems. Saint Francis used to have a Model UN club, but it dissolved during the pandemic. Recently, Saint Francis students joined together to revive the club. “It was something all of us really enjoyed in middle school, and we wanted to start it up again,” said Katherine Winton (’25), one of Model UN’s two training directors. While the board members now work together to create a welcoming experience for students interested in Model UN, the process wasn’t always harmonious.
In spring 2023, two groups of students began seeking moderators for the fledgling club, each unaware that the other was doing the same. “With so much interest in reviving the club, Mr. Herhold put us all in communication with one another,” explained Edla Lahtiranta (’25), the club’s public relations officer. Over the summer, the two groups began to discuss their plans.
Eventually, Model UN developed two divisions: the travel team, where students prepare for external conferences, and the internal crisis committee, where students act as a specific person involved in a conflict and practice their speech and diplomacy skills at school. Multiple board members described disagreement over which group to prioritize. “Some of us don’t have as much of a vision for [the crisis committee],” Winton said. “It’s been difficult coming to an agreement on how we want to run the club.”
Despite initial conflicts, the board members reached a consensus on the important issues. According to Brady Kawahara (’26), Model UN’s secretary, some common goals include representing the school at conferences and winning awards. In addition, they have been successful in creating an equitable leadership environment. “We all agreed that a president was not necessary for the time being,” said Lahtiranta. She explained that the team plans to “inspire teamwork among members” through various exercises and by encouraging those with Model UN experience to help those who are new to the activity.
The board members also emphasized the benefits of participating in Model UN. Kawahara describes how students have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics, ranging from climate change to food security. Andrea Chow (’25), the club’s director of internal affairs, expressed a similar point of view. “It can better your research skills, it can give you a better understanding of history, and it’s just a great learning opportunity in general.” The board encourages anyone who enjoys learning about global issues to give the club a try. In the future, the board hopes to see Saint Francis host its own tournaments and potentially travel out of state. “Just go in. Do it,” Chow concluded. “Maybe you’ll find something you love.”
