The first ever De La Salle Model United Nations Team (MUN) congratulated freshmen members Peyton Malcolm, Eleanor Pitts, and Adelaide Martin for representing the United Kingdom and Ukraine at its initial conference in December, 2023.

Three months later, the MUN Team sent 18 members to New York to participate in the 50th National High School Model U.N. Conference (NHSMUN) from  March 7 - 11.  Acting as “delegates” of  Hungary, the  students were appointed to nine U.N. committees that included the IOM: International Organization for Migration, CSTD: Commission on Science and Technology for Development, and UNTOC: The UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.  

In preparation for the Conference, the teammates conducted research, wrote position papers, and drafted one-minute speeches on assigned topics such as the Conservation of Pacific Shark Species, Preserving Education Systems in Conflict Zones, Expanding Renewable Energy in the Global South, Exploring the Human Right to Privacy in Digital Spaces, and Preventing Global Fentanyl Production and Trafficking.  Joined by students from around the world, the Team did De La Salle proud, both in acumen and decorum.  Their ability to follow parliamentary procedure, speak publicly, and advocate for the adoption of their resolutions grew with each day.  

The team also found time to show respect at the 911 memorial, hang out in Time Square, play football in Central Park, explore Chinatown, eat at the nearby bodega, and hit up the Hershey and M&M stores.  Miss Hattouni and Mr. Albert, along with the entire Delegation of Hungary, were sad when their time together came to an end.  All are looking forward to next year’s conferences, both locally and perhaps in D.C.  In the interim, the Team hopes to raise funds so that more students can afford to travel with them.  The first three co-captains of the MUN Team, Juniors Kathryn Piersma and James O’Brien, along with sophomore Mae Landenberger, will be leading the way.  In addition to these three, the other students who attended the NHSMUN Conference were Freshmen Eloise Carlson, Rylee Limo, Adelaide Martin, Siena O’Keefe, and Eleanor Piersma; sophomores Sloveigh Bratulich, Harper Freeberg, Mena Headrick; juniors Jameson Gese, Owen Johnson, Peter Lammers, and Joe Kaiser; and senior Ben Larkin.  Go Islanders!