14 students from the Model United Nations club traveled to the Yale Model United Nations conference (YMUN) in New Haven, Conn. this past weekend, marking their first-ever appearance at one of the nation’s most competitive high school MUN competitions. 

Eight Raiders brought home prizes, including four “Honorable Mention” commendations, one “Outstanding Delegate” distinction, and three illustrious “Best Delegate” gavels, the highest individual honor awarded to exceptional participants. The team’s exemplary overall performance earned them the prestigious “Outstanding Small Delegation” accolade. 

For junior Elisa Tarac, earning the coveted Best Delegate

gavel for the Council of Philosophers Specialized Agency committee was a triumph of assurance over self-doubt. 

“After a few disappointing conferences, I really wanted to do well, but I was so worried that I wouldn’t, so I just abandoned that. So, I was like, ‘I don’t care. I’m just going to have fun.’ And I did because I really liked my position and committee,” Tarac said.

Over four days, students participated in six two-hour committee sessions across Yale’s campus, where they debated global issues and drafted working papers. Between sessions, the group worked intensively—honing their MUN skills and immersing themselves in their topic.

“We spent days preparing; everybody was super confident; everybody was motivated. And then we went to our committee rooms, and we were all riled up. It was a lot of fun to see everyone so ready to go,” said freshman Sebastian Taylor, who was titled “Outstanding Delegate” in the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Economic and Social Council. 

 Participants collaborated with over 2000 delegates, representing 40 countries and diverse backgrounds—providing the team an invaluable opportunity to engage with peers from a smorgasbord of cultural and academic backgrounds. The prevailing international presence sharply contrasted with primarily domestic events like the University of Virginia’s MUN conference. 

“I think the students were able to engage with a more diverse group of international students who came to this conference versus previous ones,” said Gabriel Medina, Upper School International Diplomacy and Legal Studies Chair and Model UN Club Advisor. “I wanted to have a new experience for myself and the students, and obviously, we did very well. So I’m very happy about that.” 

The weekend’s global atmosphere extended to the delegation’s tour of Yale University, where students explored prominent landmarks including Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Sterling Memorial Library, and various classrooms and residential colleges. The group tasted Yale’s academic, social, and extracurricular experience. 

“It was very relieving,” said freshman Sophia Valeri Bermudez, who garnered an Honorable Mention in the Commission on Population and Development Economic and Social Council. “The campus was really nice—I loved the medieval-looking architecture. There were some buildings that looked like cathedrals. It was nice to just have fun, play in the snow, take some pictures, and go on an amazing tour.”

Echoing her sentiments on a break’s gratification, she offered advice to new delegates feeling overwhelming pressure to achieve. Her words mirrored the team’s balanced approach of passion and perseverance—a winning formula that brought them a resounding success.

“Don’t focus on getting an award: have fun, the award will come,” the Honorable Mention winner said.