At Northwestern University’s 23rd Model United Nations conference April 9-12, U-High’s Model UN team won the best large delegation award. The competition was the final of the season.

To get this award, the team had many high-placing individual awards. Juniors Jessica Stainton-Simmons and Ilana Schopin, sophomores Eddie Skolarus and Miles Westneat, and ninth graders Claire Dong, Alistair MacKay-White and June Ridgway all won gavels, the top award. 

For ninth grade students, this was the first university Model UN conference, which is larger and more competitive than a high school competition, according to Jacob Garfield, ninth grader.

“There were way more people than a high school conference, obviously, and way better speakers, so I realized I really had to be on top-notch for my speaking game but also be as collaborative as possible,” he said. 

Sophomore Sofia Caldentey said the competition was a really great way to end the season because it allowed the younger and more senior members of the team to collaborate together. 

She said, “It’s really when the friendship on the team solidifies and we don’t just become a team, we become a family.”