Working collaboratively, teachers Tiffany Wayne and Chrislaine Miller hosted a Model United Nations (MUN) “pre-conference workshop” for interested, local area middle and high school students at Mount Madonna School on September 14.
“Hosting this first annual Saturday workshop is part of our vision to build a middle and high school Pajaro Valley-Monterey MUN league,” said Miller.
Students from several local schools, including Monterey Bay Charter School and Anzar High School in San Juan Bautista, participated in the half-day workshop. Students spent the morning in groups practicing speech and debate skills, and learning about MUN sustainability and development goals (SDGs) that make up the United Nations mandates to resolve global issues around the world.
Most of the attendees were sixth, seventh and eighth graders who are new to MUN. Two MMS high school students, both MUN “veterans,” shared their experiences in a question and answer session and helped to run the activities for middle school students to practice speech and debate skills.
“It was powerful to see kids who never met carry on conversations and present their ideas to the larger group with the same ease and confidence that they will use at the local area conferences,” observed Miller.
Mount Madonna high school students in the MUN Club will participate in the Stanford University MUN conference on November 8-10 in Palo Alto. Middle school students will attend the Monterey Lyceum MUN Conference in May 2020.
“As teachers,” acknowledged Miller, “we believe providing meaningful extracurricular opportunities for schools in our region will encourage our students to think internationally and locally about global issues.”
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, director of marketing & communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 375 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.