Tag: model UN

On March 4th, at 4:30am, 21 girls, Ms. Seymour, Ms. MacDonald and Mr. Abt gathered at YVR ready to head to NYC!  Despite the lack of sleep, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. Thoughts of shopping along Fifth Ave, visiting the sights, committee sessions, resolution papers and representing Spain at the National High School Model United Nations Conference were on everyone’s mind.

When the plane touched down at LaGuardia airport, we were all ready. Armed with debit cards, credit cards, background guides and position papers, we were prepared to take on NYC. Upon arriving to the Hilton Midtown, our home for the next few days, we all rushed to our rooms to create the ultimate game plan for our trip. With the challenge of fitting in all of our responsibilities in just six days, we were eager to start our adventure.

The following day, after visiting the famed sights of Central Park, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center, the conference began. We all went into our committees ready for the sessions ahead of us. Over the next few days, we all juggled our committee sessions, squeezing in activities during free time and getting to bed at a decent time.

In the conference, we were all active participants voicing Spain’s opinions on the matters and writing resolution papers with allied countries. Outside the conference, we visited MOMA, the Frick, the Brooklyn Bridge, Madison and Fifth Ave, and the 9/11 Memorial. A particular highlight of the trip was attending the closing ceremonies at the UN and sitting in the conference room where real delegates representing the countries would meet.

The trip was definitely one to remember and a great bonding experience for all of us before we part our ways as we head off for university. Thank you to Mr. Abt for organizing such an amazing trip and to the chaperones for keeping us safe!

Vanessa, Gr. 12

On March 5th, 20 Yorkies and our three accompanying teachers, Mr. Abt, Ms. Sigloch, and Ms. Darrell Herbert boarded our plane to New York for the National High School Model United Nations Conference.

Our weekly after-school class comprised of 15 grade twelves, and five grade elevens spent four days debating and resolving world issues from the Eurozone crisis to emergency refugee housing. In pairs or in a few cases even alone, we each represented the country of Albania in various committees of the United Nations working towards resolutions that could fit all nations’ interests. In preparation, our class spent months conducting painstaking research on Albanian foreign and domestic policy to each craft a position paper: a short paper on a specific issue as it pertains to Albania.

Despite the long hours spent in committee sessions, we were still able to enjoy the city of New York. The hotel was located in Midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Central Park and the Fifth Avenue shopping street. A walking tour of the city on the first morning got us acquainted with some of the main attractions and most well known spots in New York including Rockefeller Center and John Lennon’s old apartment block. During our limited free time, we branched out and explored other parts of the city from the Upper East Side all the way down to SoHo. Everyone came together the last night in New York to watch the Broadway show Phantom of the Opera.

One of the main highlights of the trip had to be the last day of the conference, which took place at the actual United Nations building in New York. Thank you to all the chaperone teachers for organizing and accompanying us on this great trip!

Rebecca
Grade 12