Six Students from each East Juniata and Juniata High Schools participated in this years Model UN. Model United Nations, or Model UN, is a simulation of the actual United Nations at a high school level. It is a great experience in order to learn about diplomacy, international relations, and how much more occurs around the world rather than just in the United States. Each student is assigned a country to represent. During the weeks before a conference, it is your job to learn about your country and their stance in the issues that take center stage throughout the world. There are five different committees in Model UN. They are SPECPOL, DISEC, SOCHUM, Legal, and the Security Council. Each of these committees are unique and debate different topics. As seen in some of their names, each committee specializes in a certain branch, such as politics or global security. With your group, you debate the topics and work towards a resolution. However, Model UN is not just a place to learn about diplomacy and debate. The conferences that are attended by schools all across the central region of Pennsylvania provide students with a chance to socialize and meet new people. These encounters can be the beginnings of a wonderful friendship. Furthermore, your people skills and public speaking will improve. Having to talk and debate in front of complete strangers may sound awkward at first, but Model UN helps to make you comfortable in a new social environment. Additionally, as most conferences are held at colleges, you will be able to observe a college environment as you inch closer to graduating high school. Model United Nations provides a great experience to make new friends, learn how the United Nations actually works, improve your public speaking, and so much more.

~T. Graybill and B. Sheeler