Grier's Award-Winning Model UN Club Shines at Penn State University's PUNC

Keri Salyards
Grier's Model UN Club, led by global issues teacher Mr. Steven Packnick, continued their tradition of excellence at the Pennsylvania High School United Nations Conference (PUNC) at Penn State University.
The PUNC is an entirely crisis-based Model United Nations conference, meaning members of the club were required to skillfully and creatively solve a variety of issues in a simulation with other high school students from around the United States. Our club members participated in many simulations, including a sustainable fashion forum, a simulation imagining future conflicts in the city of Detroit, a historical simulation featuring ancient Chinese conquests, and even a simulation of the fantasy world of Dune, where Grier's own Isabella Han had the honor of playing the role of Duke Leto Atreides.

Model UN participants are required to have a deep knowledge of their assigned role, including past international actions related to the topic, their country's (or persona's) policies on the topic, and are required to write position papers, opening speeches, and resolutions to the problem, as well as keep a research binder full of anything they may need for the conference. Delegates must also follow proper protocol since the conference is designed to mirror the workings of the United Nations itself.

Grier's Model UN Club researched and studied for weeks together and with Mr. Packnick before the conference. These students have full schedules and many are in AP courses, yet they still took time after their busy school day to further their knowledge and participate in this mentally taxing activity. Their efforts were rewarded: Abby Gustafson and Yasmin Ghaffari both earned Honorable Mentions in their committee, and the whole delegation brought home Best Small Delegation Award!

Congratulations to all members:
  • Mr. Steven Packnick, club advisor
  • Yasmin Ghaffari
  • Abby Gustafson
  • Celine Jabbour
  • Isabella Han
  • Coco Liu
  • Chujun Liu
  • Emma Corrado
  • Zainab Awais
  • Harini Dave
  • Alexis Cao
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