Warrior Word

by Ruth Retta

Our school’s Model UN Club, which began meeting last year, is highly underrated. It is frequently compared to speech and debate, or Mock Trial, and although they are all similar in their competition and debate based structure, Model UN offers many things these clubs do not. Model UN allows you to learn about national diplomacy, pass motions and resolutions, and gain experience acting as a faux-diplomat in a conference. It is a buried gem amidst the barrage of extracurriculars offered at EWHS, but many students seem not to even be aware that it is offered. The club meets each Monday from 2:00-2:30. As of now, we are preparing for our biggest conference, PACMUN, on November 22nd-23rd at the Grand Sheraton Hotel in Seattle 

For now, here is an interview with our club’s vice president, Hasset Kassa, to share her personal experience being in the club!

Ruth Retta:What do you generally do in Model UN?

Hasset Kassa: With model UN we go to multiple conferences at different times in the year. As of now we have an upcoming conference this November. Whenever we don’t have a conference the rest of the meetings are spent preparing for upcoming conferences, practicing debate skills,  and honing our writing and research skills 

Ruth Retta: Sounds fun! Typically how many conferences are there a year?

Hasset Kassa: 2-3 conferences a year and this year we are aiming to attend all three!

Ruth Retta: What is your favorite and least favorite aspect of MUN?

Hasset Kassa: My least favorite thing would be the amount of people in Model UN right now[laughs].  We have around 20 students but I believe that if more people were aware of this club we would have so many more members.  My favorite thing about the club is debating for sure. I also love learning about history. Through Model UN,  I am able to gain awareness on current events, how they’ve affected our world in the past, and how they’re affecting our world now. 

Ruth Retta: Why did you join Model UN?

Hasset Kassa: This is my second year of Model UN. I joined last year because I always thought it seemed fun and interesting whenever I saw it on social media and in TV shows. When I discovered our school had one I was so surprised and happy to join . I am now the vice president, and that is really fun because it allows for an extra level of involvement in the club.  

Ruth Retta: What do students often struggle with Model UN?

Hasset Kassa: Model UN  is not complicated at all but it’s clear that some students don’t understand that it requires dedication. It is not a club that you can come to once in a while; you have to be dedicated. Writing papers is easy and researching isn’t difficult, yet it can be hard at times for people to be dedicated to MUN and attend meetings consistently. 

Ruth Retta: What is the biggest misconception about Model UN?

Hasset Kassa: Like I said, people assume that it is a passive club;  a club that you can attend when you feel like it. Yet Model UN is entirely the opposite. When people don’t attend the meetings consistently, it is more likely for them to fall off track and be behind on what is going on. Overall,  I think that most people should give Model UN a try. I really think a lot of people would enjoy it!