sit, how to perform, how to lead and orModel UN Conference; Outganize a ‘bloc’ within their committee, standing Large Delegation at and how to act diplomatically. They are Columbia Univeristy Model UN well-prepared, and it’s exciting to see Conference; Best Delegation them get up to speak in their committee along with 31 individual awards sessions. We also have great leadership, at the University of Chicago and there’s a tremendous group feelModel UN Conference. ing as our students coach, root for, and As the coach, along with Jude Alawa and Andrew Klauber support one another. Our experienced Mrs. Marjorie Milam, of our at the United Nations with their top award. members mentor the younger ones,” he award-winning Model UN added. team, Mr. Gruskin explains that other students. Basically, the students “Before traveling to conferences, we students prepare for Model UN do what the UN does. They represent often have meetings to talk about logisconferences by doing extensive research countries, participate in committees, tics; what time is the plane ride, where into their country or topic, working engage in mock crisis sessions, and we’ll go, etc.,” said Zachariah Chou, with their assigned partners, and enwork with delegates from other schools AHS senior, expert Model UN memgaging in practice committee sessions to try to arrive at resolutions. Students ber, and one of the team’s conference headed by our experienced members. are rewarded for how they perform and Directors. “During American Heritage address problems with committees, and those meetings, hosts a Mock Confor how well they work with others. So Mr. Gruskin also ference on a Satur“It’s awesome to see our diplomacy, “likeability,” or people skills, likes to remind us day here on campus, students take the lead in is just as valuable as competitive ability. about our (typiwhere over 150 stuModel UN emphasizes cooperation and dents are involved their committees. They are cally stellar) perworking together, and the Model UN formance at that as novice delegates, well-prepared.” Team at American Heritage attracts particular conferexperienced dele– Mr. Mark Gruskin ence in the past few students not only from Pre-Law, Mock gates, and organizTrial, and Speech & Debate, but also years while inspirers. “Many say our from Pre-Med, Pre-Engineering, math ing us to try to do mock conference competition, and journalism. even better during the coming conferhere on campus is actually superior, Our students on the Model UN ence,” Zach adds. from a substantive standpoint, to many Team are top in the nation. We are the “During conferences, he’s always of the college conferences we attend,” top-ranked private school and earned there for us, alongside Mrs. Milam, Mr. Gruskin said. the Award of Excellence at the National who is also part of the support system; Attending several national conferHigh School Model UN. The students she’s a great morale booster,” said Zach. ences throughout the school year, Mr. also won the Michael C. Coon Award “They both go around the commitGruskin relates, “It’s awesome to see for Excellence in Diplomacy and Reptees to watch us all. They are excellent our students take the lead in their comresentation at the William and Mary sources to us about what’s going on in mittees. Our students know where to United Nations
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American Heritage School