Although we were disappointed that we couldn’t do a MUN student trip this spring due to COVID travel restrictions, we were pleased to be able to put together teams for two virtual conferences instead. The rapid advances in online meeting technology in 2020 have led to a rise in virtual Model UN options for students. Though we would love to be meeting in person, the online forum still enables formal committee debate, informal small group caucusing, and simultaneous resolution writing on google docs.

From February 19-21, three students attended the MUNCHCIRA conference hosted by the Carolina International Relations Association in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. All three students performed strongly with JHCS junior Will Aepli earning praise as Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Islands Forum, JHHS sophomore Sophie Lamb winning Outstanding Delegate in the UN Environment Program, and JHHS junior Carter Worcester earning Honorable Mention as Pharnaces in the Year of Rebellion: Darius committee. The collective accolades led the Jackson Hole team to be named Best Small Delegation out of over 43 participating teams and over 450 delegates. 

From March 4-6, IC21 sent another delegation of six students to the virtual Mid-American Model UN (MAMUN) conference based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After three full days of debate including two unplanned crisis sessions, two students received honors. JHHS junior Colin Reese was crowned with Highest Honors as China in the Security Council, while JHHS sophomore Arielle D’Arge earned Second Honors representing China in her first crisis committee. 

Congratulations to all the students on a job well done at these major conferences. With the majority of the team being underclassmen, the Model UN  program is poised for several strong years ahead!