Recently, 15 students from the school attended Old Dominion University’s annual Model United Nations Conference (ODUMUNC), representing countries Russia and Namibia.

ODUMUNC is a weekend-long conference in which students have the opportunity to participate in mock UN sessions, creating compromises and writing resolutions to issues such as human rights, economic diversification, and public policy.

Over 1200 students participated in the weekend’s events, representing schools from all over the state. The school’s delegates had the unique opportunity to learn about foreign policy and international relations outside of the traditional school setting.

“I was able to be in an environment that not only fostered debate, but also was full of some of the most amazing people I have ever met,” delegate Daniel Myers said.

The delegates noted the excitement of the conference’s social aspects, which included a karaoke night, trivia, and even a dance.

“Everyone was so inviting and I met so many new people! It takes about a day to get used to, but after the first day it’s a great time,” delegate Rachel Hodges said. “I never expected to have as much fun as I did.”

One of the school’s government and Advanced Placement Comparative Government teachers Darlyn Janson, has served as the sponsor of Model United Nations (MUN) for the past couple years and encourages students to participate in ODUMUNC at some point in their high school careers.

“I love sponsoring MUN because I feel it is a valuable educational tool – it is ‘learning by doing.’ Students become involved in important decisions made in the international arena by simulating the roles of diplomats and world leaders,” Janson said.  “I hope students end up with a deeper understanding of world issues as they also learn greater social skills.”