By Madeleine Morales ’18, Lifestyle Editor
At the beginning of the school year, I renounced my Saturday mornings and club time as I signed my name on the Model UN sign-up sheet: I could not be happier with my decision. Model UN is a club that is comprised of students who research a topic and then discuss it at conventions with other students from other schools. My first convention was at Wyoming High School, an unforgettable experience.
Thursday: Submitting my position paper regarding women in Africa at the last possible moment, I was already behind in my mind. I was lacking interest in Model UN and had no idea of the amazing experience that lay ahead of me.
Friday: Thinks nothing of Model UN
Saturday Morning 6:30 a.m.: My alarm belligerently goads me to roll out of bed and squeeze into heels and a pencil skirt. Picking other students up from their homes, I begin to realize how underprepared I am. Binders and journals pile into the car with their professionally dressed owners. I can breathe again after they are unveiled as empty and one of my friends claims, “Looking prepared and confident is your only job, if you can do that- you win.”
Saturday Morning 8:30 a.m.: I see other students from Country Day; a feeling of comfort engulfs my body: I hear laughter. I anticipated a very serious nerd-convention only to be pleasantly surprised by Wyoming High School’s cafeteria filled with smart kids with nothing to do on Saturday making fun of each other and comparing position papers. Opening ceremonies began soon after and I enjoyed myself more and more after assimilating myself with the braniacs surrounding me.
Saturday Morning 9:00: Oh no. They are splitting us all up into our specified groups. My mind raced with “what ifs” concerning knowing no one and my social awkwardness until I see a group of boys in my class sauntering towards the room I am assigned to. A smile graces my face; nothing can ease your deficits and lack of confidence like a gawky group of sophomore lads who think they are the best thing to grace the hallways of a Model UN conference. My boy buds soon reassure me that we know what we are doing. As soon as our session starts, my friends and I rise to the acme of the assembly of thirty. Zach O’Brien ’18, Bobby Flynn ’18, Thomas Retzios ’18, Alex Chantilas ’18, and I stormed the argument with a pack mentality: stick together and create a brilliant resolution to fix our problem.
Saturday Lunchtime 12:00 p.m.: Strutting towards the cafeteria, my Model UN men and I confidently exchange ideas and casually interact with everyone we see until we spot the Country Day Model UN gods: Cooper Ebersbach ’16 and Sidd Jejurikar ’16. Bragging begins, followed by a slew of over exaggerated statements concerning our victorious start to the day. We continued to plot against our competitors to achieve the perfect resolution. As great as we are doing, some fellow Country Day students just do not comprehend Model UN. Thomas Retzios became confused with a terminology, referring to moderated caucuses as a “magnet cactus.”
Saturday Afternoon 2:00 p.m.: Our next session begins. Exuding confidence and clever Country Day charm, the boys and I swiftly execute our plan and woo the other people to agree and see that our position paper was truly number one. That stick-to-it attitude eventually granted us victory, though we made enemies on the way. One other team was our only competition and they soon faltered when their “chief” wanted to nationalize prostitution as a form of tax: we had snagged the win.
Saturday Night 8:00 p.m.: An annoying air horn fills the air (@Joey Hodson ‘18) and fans cheer as the Country Day boys end the first half of the football game. With all the commotion, I cannot bear to steal a minute away from my mind wandering and thinking about the amazing time I had. Reflecting on my experience, I was still in shock because of my triumph that day. Not only did I actually contribute to discussions, but also I won an award along with my fellow group mates.
