Model UN makes comeback in the classroom

by Lucy Cotter

Staff Writer

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

Bradley’s new Ohio Model United Nations class gives students a new opportunity to expand their club into the classroom. The club allows students to create teams and pick countries to write resolutions for problems within their chosen nation. In December, all of Ohio’s OMUN clubs get together at the Hyatt Regency for a three-day convention for debate among other teams and their countries.

Students make plans with their teams to decorate the bulletin boards. Photo by Lucy Cotter (12).

Model UN was shut down in 2020 due to Covid-19. When the OMUN club made its comeback in 2021, less than

30 students were members. On its third year back, the club has grown to nearly 60, doubling its numbers.

In 2022, students proposed the idea of creating a class for the club to advisors Mr. Bleh and Mrs. Wong, after noticing Cambridge High School excelling at the convention while having a class.

Bleh explains that they had “to get approval from the secondary curriculum director” to create the class “using existing curriculum.” This resulted in a year delay in the Contemporary World Issues course forming.

Now with the new class approved for this year, returners and new members have positive input. Students enjoy choosing who they collaborate with. Lance Murdoch (12) says “my process has changed with the class” while “getting to have a period in my day with all of my friends.” Team building is crucial to success in Model UN.

With the class taking place daily, this allows for much more time dedicated towards resolution preparation and debate. Lindsey Cruz Garcia (11) claims “the class has made a lot of progress compared to the club.” Students’ leadership and public speaking skills have a lot more time to develop before December’s competition.

Wong notes that “our resolutions will be much better” with more time provided. “The class is very student-led which I like,” and “has a very laid back feel,” Wong added. Students came up with goals and ideas for the semester, such as building public speaking and debate skills. Fun Fridays have also become a part of the course. A community has quickly been formed within the class.

Bradley’s teams look forward to the convention and hope for positive results in December. Stay tuned to compare this year’s results with previous years.