Palos Verdes Peninsula, led by Advisor Dr. Jim Dimitriou, received the Best Medium-Sized Delegation Award
The theme of this year’s conference was “Through the Fire, the Spirit is Forged.” I reflected on the theme in my keynote speech at opening ceremonies.
MVHSMUN is a special conference for me because Mission is where my Model UN journey began 12 years ago as a high school freshman and I was Secretary-General of the conference in my senior year. I’ve also been working closely with Mission students and advisor Dominic Trevino over this past year. So I got a chance to watch the conference come together behind-the-scenes, as well as reminisce about my past experience organizing this conference.
Click below to learn more about the conference!
Over 250 students participate in Model UN at Mission, which is 10% of the entire student body, but MVHSMUN involves more than Mission students. Their parents volunteer for their conference, helping to set up the larger committee rooms, serving lunch to students and advisors, operating the snack bar, and acting as campus security. Mission teachers volunteer their classrooms for the weekend to be used as committee rooms. And the principal, Dr. Ray Gatfield, appeared at opening ceremonies to show his support for the conference and the Model UN program.
And this is not unique to MVHSMUN. Many Southern California high schools host their own Model UN conferences. So far this year, Santa Margarita, Cerritos, Edison, Tustin, Mira Costa, and Capistrano Valley high schools have all hosted conferences ranging from 500 to 1,500 delegates. They attend each other’s conferences, which helps them gain a lot of Model UN experience. The high school-hosted Southern California conferences serve as a great example to high schools in other parts of the country to show that it is possible to host your own conference.
Delegation awards went to:
- Best Large Delegation: Huntington Beach High School
- Best Medium-Sized Delegation: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
- Best Small Delegation: Lycee Frances
- Best Club Delegation: Trabuco Hills High School
Lycee Frances received the Best Small Delegation award
Congratulations to all delegates, Secretariat, parents, and Mr. Trevino on a successful conference!
The MVHSMUN Upper Secretariat
Click here to see more pictures of the conference! And special thanks to Anna South for her photos!
