Winchester High School Model UN hosts 8th annual conference

On Sunday, April 6, the eighth rendition of WinMUN, Winchester High School’s annual Model United Nations conference, kicked off with the strike of a gavel.

This year marked a new milestone, with over 300 delegates representing 26 schools across more than four states — doubling last year’s attendance. Backed by over 50 staffers from the high school, the conference has left the drawing board and come to life.

WinMUN continues to live up to its prestigious title as the largest student run conference hosted by a public school in the New England region.

Planning this monumental event started way back in September with Executive Board Members Aden Huang, Gauri Bansal, Sara Zobian, Renee Lubomirski, and Diya Patlolla brainstorming committee topics.

From their planning emerged the creation of seven committees, including three new ones: the Press Corps, the ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council), and the Board of Directors.

The committees include a UNHCR General Assembly on supporting refugees, an ECOSOC Committee in the African Union on supporting women’s rights and fighting food insecurity, a Specialized Crisis Committee taking place in the International Olympic Committee on the LA Olympics, a joint crisis committee on the fall of the Berlin Wall, a Board of Directors committee focusing on Chipotle’s E. Coli crisis, an Ad Hoc committee on the Hunger Games, and a Press Corps committee.

Over the course of the following months, committee staffers worked hard writing lengthy background guides, character dossiers, crisis updates; logistic staffers worked to design placards, nametags, and signs; Heads of Delegate Affairs Aden and Gauri coordinated between schools to gather signups, collect invoices, and communicate to participants. Together, everyone’s efforts laid the brick and mortar for a smooth WinMUN experience.

Before we knew it, April 6 was around the corner. On the day of, over 300 delegates poured into the auditorium for opening ceremonies. Despite being a rainy day, the atmosphere was impeccable; delegates chatted amongst each other, eager for the committee to begin.

The philanthropy this year was announced to be USA for UNHCR, directly tied to the theme of the General Assembly. Initiatives were announced: above $600, pie a freshman; above $1000 pie a secretariat member.

Additionally, WinMUN was lucky enough to host alumni keynote speaker Kaitlin Tan (WHS ‘24) who spoke during opening ceremonies. Currently serving as BOSMUN XXV’s ECOSOC Under Secretary General, Kaitlin shared her insights on public policy, her personal journey through Model UN at the high school and collegiate levels, and her experience staffing WinMUN in high school.

Following opening ceremonies, delegates shuffled into one of the three provided workshops: a beginner delegate session run by Juniors Diya Patlolla and Renee Lubomirski, an advanced delegate session run by Seniors Fiona Silbermann and Barrett Davidson, and a crisis committee session run by Senior Sara Zobian and Junior Arsen Bagdassarian.

Promptly after, delegates entered the first of two committee sessions to begin debate, diplomacy and negotiations for the day!

Between the two, three hour long committee sessions of the day, delegates explored food options in downtown Winchester for lunch, supporting Winchester local businesses.

Finally, after the conclusion of debate at 5:30 p.m., the award ceremony started with plenary speakers from each committee recapping the day in a succinct 45 second speech.

In closing ceremonies, the total amount of money raised for philanthropy was announced along with awards to delegates in each committee. In total, over $600 was raised - greater than last year - and the first incentive of pieing the freshmen boys (they willingly chose to be pied, and were not forced in any form) was passed.

With that, closing ceremonies concluded with lots of laughter - and whipped cream on the floor.

Reflecting on the past year, the high school Model UN team is committed to making WinMUN IX just as successful (if not better) than this year. With so many seniors graduating, there’s no denying the challenge ahead, but we are ready to carry the momentum and put together another great conference next year!

Renee Lubomirski is a Winchester High School student who serves on the Model UN board.