Model United Nations (MUN) gives young people the chance to be decision makers regarding the big issues that face our world. Every year, about 1,200 students from as many as 50 schools around the state of Oregon come to Eugene to debate issues like development of trade, humanitarian aid, politics and security. This year, St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) sent a team of 20 seniors, juniors, and sophomores to the conference. By MUN standards, the SMA team was on the small side. But they had a big impact. According to senior Adrienne Daniels, a three-year MUN member, “This year, SMA passed an over-represented percentage of resolutions (when you compare the size of our team to the size of other school's) - this just shows how much effort the girls put into their research and their skill at arguing opinions!”
This year, the SMA team represented the USA, considered a “Big-5” country along with China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Teams actually have to bid for these countries at the previous year’s conference. While representing the USA made researching country policies and stances on major issues easier, it didn’t make defending them any less difficult. “The United States has a poor reputation at the United Nations, and typically gets a lot of flack and dissent at the conference. However it was at the same time exciting and a great challenge,” said Adrienne Daniels.
The SMA team was also able to leave Eugene with some prestigious awards. Junior Taylor Smith was awarded the MVP for Leadership in the Third Committee debating social, humanitarian and cultural issues. Fellow junior Karen Silbert was awarded the MVP for Strongest Defender in the EcoSocial committee focusing on the Commission for Social Development. “I think SMA girls stand out at MUN for their eloquence and determination; I'm not at all surprised that we consistently get awards for being the best representatives of our nation in several different committees,” said senior Karin Loch.
"The greatest part about MUN is that you are surrounded by people who genuinely care about the world; people who are passionate and not afraid to show that passion, be it in a human rights committee or over ice-cream," said senior Karin Loch. The St. Mary’s girls showed their poise and commitment on a big stage and were met with great success.
Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland, is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and one of 716 all-female schools in the country. The student body represents a diverse background of young women from over 30 urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. St. Mary’s Academy is distinguished by development of the whole person, and is the only school in the state to receive three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbons Schools awards.
