This November, 22 members of LM Model United Nations traveled to New Jersey to compete at the four-day Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC). Welcoming more than 1000 delegates from across the globe, this conference is considered one of the world’s most prestigious. LM delegates competed in ten of the 22 committees offered, facing off and excelling against high schoolers from not only New York City, Houston, and Chicago but also Canada, Honduras, and New Zealand. Debating topics from war in Ukraine to climate change, the competitive and diverse environment of PMUNC offered extensive opportunities for students to grow as diplomats, as public speakers, and as problem solvers.
A huge undertaking, this overnight trip was the first that LM Model UN has ever taken. Upperclassmen who have been participating in Model UN for multiple years shared the impact of this experience. Thomas Powell ’26 stated that in his long Model UN career, “Princeton MUNC is the largest conference I have been to.” Officer Parker Kleinman ’26 stated, “I was grateful to finally have the opportunity to go to an overnight conference. I feel like this conference is a great starting point for LM MUN, to give the club positive momentum and begin to expand.”
While this conference was high level, every grade was able to learn and have fun. Four sophomores and five freshmen were in attendance, including Rebecca Oltman ’29. “I had a great time as a first-time participant,” she shared. “I feel like Lower Merion has a very inclusive and accessible Model UN program that allowed me to learn a lot while having a great time.”
One duo, underclassmen Ma’ayan Kline ’28 and Soren Barash ’28, brought home a fifth-place trophy. They competed as Israel in the Legal committee, discussing international law. Another duo, made up of upperclassmen Lincoln Doolittle ’26 and Alexa Weatherwax ’27, took second place as the Philippines in the Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) committee, tackling the burgeoning global tech race. “In the 27 conferences that I have attended, never did I have more fun than I did at Princeton,” said Doolittle. “Going to this competitive of a conference allowed me to push myself to rise to the occasion. I am proud, for example, to say that our resolution passed by almost unanimous consent, a process that is nearly unheard of in MUN.”
Overall, LM Model UN had a successful weekend, but this success would not have been possible without tremendous support from friends and advisors. Ms. Campbell, Dr. Johnson, Ms. Shalon, the school board, parents, and of course the club’s head advisor, Mr. Kelly, all dedicated their time to making this trip a reality.
The next adventure for LM Model UN takes place on school grounds! The second annual ACEMUNC conference is scheduled for this February, and all students at all levels are welcome. Interested students can tune in to the announcements and stop by LM Model UN’s weekly workshops to learn more.
