By Kelsey Norris-Sokolsky and Andrew Brown, History Teachers
A contingent of Tower Hill students can often be found dressed in formal business attire vociferously debating with their peers on how the international community should prevent the abuse of surveillance technology. You’ll find them huddled in corners, drafting a resolution to bring about a cease-fire in Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and even traveling back in time to 1956 Egypt to stage a coup that prevents the Suez Canal Crisis from spiraling further out of control.
These Hillers are all immersed in the world of Model United Nations (UN).
Model UN is quite literally a world apart from the Hillers’ everyday life. At conferences, members of Tower Hill’s Model UN chapter adopt the roles of diplomats from all around the globe who have convened to resolve pressing global issues and advance their country’s geopolitical interests.
By serving on UN General Assemblies, such as the Disarmament & International Security Committee (DISEC) or the Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues (SOCHUM) Committee, Hillers have the opportunity to represent countries ranging from the United Arab Emirates to Thailand. As these students often represent nations who hold vastly different views from the United States, they broaden their perspectives by learning about and defending positions that had previously been wholly foreign to them.
“I have learned more about other countries’ stances on issues,” reflects Ashley Prashar ’24. “Joining Model UN has led me to become more aware of issues I wouldn’t have really looked at previously… My only regret is not joining earlier.”
Along with serving on General Assemblies, Hillers also take part in Crisis Committees and work to resolve dire situations that threaten our global community. On Crisis Committees, Hillers address pressing issues from China’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong to imagining that the date is October, 1962, and they must prevent the Cuban Missile Crisis from sparking a nuclear conflagration.
In both General Assembly and Crisis Committees, Hillers improve their public speaking skills, collaborate with allies and compromise with adversaries to achieve results.
“My public speaking skills have definitely improved a lot since joining,” says Eleanor Loeper-Viti ’24, president of Tower Hill’s chapter. “At my first conference, I was really scared to speak and only went up once, but since then I have become a lot more comfortable voicing my opinion and pushing for my ideas to become actions. I also have improved my rhetoric skills because of how much debate and exchanging of ideas takes place.”
In addition to competing at Model UN conferences at local independent schools, Hillers compete in out-of-state conferences that draw attendees from all around the world.
“These conferences have given me unforgettable memories and some of the best moments in high school thus far,” says Jon Dong ’25, vice president of the chapter, who treasures his time traveling to conferences in Washington, D.C. and New York City for Model UN last year. “I have made friends from all over the country, and even the world.”
Along with meeting like-minded peers and forging new connections, students also enjoy the opportunity to explore new cities, visit historic monuments in Washington, D.C., and even visit the United Nations’ awe-inspiring General Assembly Hall in New York.
The 2023-2024 Model United Nations leadership team, headed by President Eleanor Loeper-Viti, Vice President Jon Dong and Secretary Phoebe Quinn-Plemmons ’24, have been working tirelessly to bring all of these opportunities to an even greater number of Hillers. With over 50 members, the leaders have ushered in dramatic growth for the chapter and have spearheaded new initiatives to help train new members. This fall, Loeper-Viti, Dong and Quinn-Plemmons organized Tower Hill’s first ever in-house conference to provide Model UN novices with the opportunity to practice their debating and negotiating skills with their fellow Hillers before heading off to compete more broadly. They also helped organize an Upper School assembly on global justice and led small group discussions with their peers on how we can advance global justice, both as individuals and as a school community.
While working to enrich Model UN members’ experience and contribute to the Upper School more broadly, the leadership team has found the experience of managing a large club to be an incredible learning opportunity.
“Being on the leadership team for Model UN has been a great experience. Learning the ins and outs of this club and how to run it has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had,” says Dong. “I have learned how to manage my time, communicate with people effectively and create a safe environment for all club members.”
Tower Hill Model UN leaders and members are all excited for the rest of the school year as they turn their gaze to prepare for the upcoming conferences and start organizing their own in-house conference at Tower Hill this spring.
