Held annually, CNYMUN has been sponsored by Fayetteville Manlius High School and held at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs for 42 years. Students often miss the first Friday back from winter break in order to participate in this conference since the conference spans two days.
Although school is missed, delegates are still educated through committee, both during and through outside research necessary to participate successfully. In order to be eligible for awards, delegates must turn in a two page position paper outlining multiple topics selected prior. Then, awards are administered based off of participation, strategic thinking, and knowledge of topics.
Jasper Kyle, recipient of numerous awards from this conference over the years, achieved the Strategic Thinking one this conference. As Lori Moore Morrell in the FEMA committee, he utilized the crisis updates to manage the unique disasters faced.
“Model United Nations is about learning to communicate effectively over differences of opinion, and think globally.” Jasper remarks. “Crisis committees such as FEMA really emphasize the ability to manage all of these while working under pressure.”
Akshara Das, a junior at New Hartford Senior High School, notes that one of the most challenging parts of conferences is gaining the courage to speak in front of a large audience. “preparation wise I was all set, it was just the mental confidence I needed to be able to get up in front of a bunch of high achieving students and talk as if I have all the follow up answers to the question they might ask.”
Model United Nations serves as one of the most popular clubs at New Hartford, and for a good reason. It helps students build the self confidence, assertiveness, and global awareness necessary to be impactful later in life.
