Learning Beyond the Classroom

Model UN Conferences assemble students from different schools and backgrounds and task them with working together to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues, similar to the real United Nations.

St. Pius X students represented the interests of the nation of Georgia while tackling issues like the return of artifacts to their rightful countries, accessibility and preservation of world heritage sites, housing insecurity for children, and preventing non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. They worked side-byside with students from schools not only in the United States, but also from other countries including Italy and Georgia.

In March, the St. Pius X Model UN Team participated in the National High School Model UN Conference in New York City. It was the largest conference in which the team has participated.

In 2012, Mr. Dennis Ruggiero, St. Pius X Theology teacher, began a tradition of taking seniors on a European post-graduation trip. This year marks the eighth trip for Mr. Ruggiero (two trips were canceled due to COVID). Mr. Ruggiero teaches a class called “Holocaust and Genocide,” and this trip provides students the opportunity to visit many of the places they learn about in this class. The itinerary typically includes Berlin, Nuremberg, and Munich, and one other city like Rome, Paris, Salzburg, or Prague. This year, 28 graduates made the trip. Joining Mr. Ruggiero as chaperones were Director of Enrollment Sara Geiger Schmitt and Athletic Trainer Gary Schmitt.

This year’s trip began on May 29 in Munich, where the group visited Olympia Park, BMW World, the White Rose Exhibit at the University of Munich, the Englischer Garden, and the Eisbach River to watch surfers. They also enjoyed a guided bike tour through the open parks and elegant plazas from the twisting medieval streets of Munich.

The next stop was Salzburg, Austria. Before entering Salzburg, the group explored the Salzwelten Salt Mine. The graduates then enjoyed Salzburg Old Town, filming sites of the movie Sound of Music, and the Hohen Salzburg Castle.

Nuremberg was the next destination. En route to Nuremberg, the group toured Dachau Concentration Camp, a somber experience that demonstrates the horrors of war and the suffering under the Nazi regime. In Nuremberg, the group toured the Documentation Center Museum, Zeppelin Field, Nuremberg Imperial Castle, and the Palace of Justice. The final stop was Berlin, where visits included Check Point Charlie Museum, the Berlin Wall, and other historical places from the Nazi period.

While the SPX Model UN Team worked hard, they also enjoyed much of what New York City had to offer, including Rockefeller Center, SOHO, Little Italy, Times Square, and Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The team wrapped up the conference by attending closing ceremonies in the United Nations General Assembly chamber at the real-life UN Headquarters! The week was a great opportunity for Pius students to learn about the world and how cooperation and communication can facilitate change at both local and global levels.