2023-2024 Activities

On January 13, 2024, 48 delegates from Silver Spring International Middle School attended the Frederick County (FCPS) Model UN Conference. Students debated topics ranging from Piracy on the High Seas, Invasive Species, Emergency Response to Disasters, and Nuclear Non-Proliferation. The debate was intense in the committee sessions, as the delegates presented their country's (often unpopular) perspectives. Some of the challenging positions to defend included Iran, Syria, the Russian Federation, and Pakistan. The delegates did their best and their hard work paid off because each of these delegates returned home with an award. Delegates learned that sometimes a challenging position can bring out their best skills in debate and diplomacy. In total, SSIMS delegates won 20 awards. The delegates worked as a team in the sessions and their unity and collaboration skills were in the spotlight. Congratulations to ALL delegates who participated in the conference. Each delegate represented our school with the spirit of our school message: Have fun, learn something new, and set a plan into action to create positive change in the world. We would like to express our appreciation to our two parent chaperones, Ms. Newsome and Mr. Howell.  Thank you also to our student volunteers who stayed after school to put together our folders. Thank you!!!!!

Part 1: 1-10

1. We’re model un students, we have to read an 87 page background guide before even starting the actual research.

2. We’re model un students, we spend the whole class staring at our blank capture sheet.

3. We’re model un students, we're supposed to be working right now, but we're doing this instead.

4. We’re model un students, we hate it, but we're taking it again next year.

5. We’re model un students, we have to do 5 separate capture sheets before starting our position paper.

6. We’re model un students, we’re besties with our teacher.

7. We’re model un students, don’t even ask us about our committees.

8. We’re model un students, we’re not supposed to leave our hotel rooms, so we’re facetiming at Midnight.

9. We’re model un students, we do all of our work at home.

10. We’re model un students, we have a 3½ hour rant ready for anyone who will listen.

Part 2: 11-20

11. We’re model un students, our country is never relevant to our topic.

12. We’re model un students, the words position paper triggers us.

13. We’re model un students, we never heard of this country before and have no idea where it is.

14. We’re model un students, a position paper can always pass off as a speech.

15. We’re model un students why are we here?

16. We’re model un students, we gaslight all of our friends to take the class even if we hate it.

17. We’re model un students, we’re three states away just to spend the whole weekend studying.

18. We’re model un students, no we can’t tell you about the palestine and israel conflict.

19. We’re model un students, I don’t care if he killed 3 million people, Pol Pot is not guilty. 

20. We’re model un students, our parents are broke because of all the conference fees.

Part 3: 21-30

21. We’re model un students, yes, we are smarter than you. 

22. We’re model un students, we’re not students, we’re delegates.

23. We’re model un students, of course we're liberals.

24. We’re model un students, of course we know what DWBAT means.

25. We’re model un students, we go to hershey park, but we can’t go on the rides.

26. We’re model un students, yes my topic is nuclear proliferation in the state of israel, and how it affects the international relations between the un and palestine

27. We’re model un students, of course we’re smarter than our parents.

28. Were model un students, I have to pick between failing history or failing model un.

29. We’re model un students, class ends in 13 minutes, and no, I haven’t done a single thing.

30. We’re model un students, no Faris is not the favorite student, and neither is David.

Part 4: 31-40

31. We’re model un students, of course i have a binder for model un but no other class.

32. We’re model un students, of course mrs Dunlap gets donuts for everyone but us.

33. We’re model un students, seriously, why am I here?

34. We’re model un students, wait, class is over already?

35. We’re model un students, we’re all Ms Dunlap's favorites. (Even though it’s actually me)

36. We’re model un students, our friends DO NOT envy us!!!

37. We’re model un students, what's your topic?

38. We’re model un students, we write 2 capture sheets, a position paper and a speech and then it all goes to waste when we vote for the other topic.

39. We’re model un students, Gordon, why do we have feet pics downloaded?

40. We’re model un students, of course we have random country’s flags hung everywhere.

Part 5: 41-50

41. We’re model un students, of course the conference was in a different state, but no one from that state actually showed up.

42. We’re model un students, our parents are either lawyers, doctors, teachers, or scientists.

43. We’re model un students, we wear two things, sweats and suits.

44. We’re model un students, of course blue and white are my favorite colors.

45. We’re model un students, I have two pencil cases, model un & literally everything else.

46. We’re model un students, our teacher knows we don't submit anything so she’s automatically added to the document as soon as it’s created.

47. We’re model un students, you should take it next year.

48. We’re model un students, we’re the only people in our school’s SGA.

49. We’re model un students, do you have any food?

50. We’re model un students, we complain about the excessive amounts of work but we still love it.

Part 6: 51-60

51. We’re model un students, you get more than 2 hours of sleep at night?

52. We’re model un students, we’re procrastinators and all our work gets done the night before.

53. We’re model un students, yes, we do have a signed letter from the president and the first lady in our class.

54. We’re model un students, I don’t care if the stage is for theatre, we spend all class sitting up there on yoga balls.

55. We’re model un students, words like antidisestablishmentarianism are just a normal part of our vocabulary.

56. We’re model un students, my best friend is some random girl from new jersey that I will probably never see in-person again.

57. We’re model un students, we spend half our classes researching conferences we can go to.

58. We’re model un students, our school won 20 out of the 24 awards.

59. We’re model un students, i’ve never won best delegate, but Gabriel has.

60. We’re model un students, of course we love to argue.

Part 7: 61-70

61. We’re model un students, yes, the stage is a podium.

62. We’re model un students, I printed out 17 different papers because we can’t bring our computers to the conference.

63. We’re model un students, we’re convinced that this video is gonna go viral.

64. We’re model un students, it’s half our personality.

65. We’re model un students, I never unpack my suitcase because I know I have a conference coming up.

66. We’re model un students, we’re easily offended.

67. We’re model un students, oops… I forgot my lunch box in Ms Dunlap's room.

68. We’re model un students, you go home right after school ends?

69. We’re model un students, most of us are bilingual.

70. We’re model un students, we’re doing a debate, well… I’m in model un so…

Part 8: 71-80

71. We’re model un students, of course we have two group chats, one with adults for emergencies, and the other without adults that we spam until 3 am.

72. We’re model un students, I don’t have social anxiety.. I used to, but not anymore.

73. We’re model un students, mock trial is just rip-off model un.

74. We’re model un students, because we spend all our money on food and souvenirs.

75. We’re model un students, i’m always a member of the conference press.

76. We’re model un students, because we all went to different conferences, let’s present our speeches in class.

77. We’re model un students, yay! My next class is model un.

78. We’re model un students, ugh… I have math class after this.

79. We’re model un students, we’re all single because we don’t have the time… 

80. We’re model un students, we’re not allowed to use our phones… unless we’re in model un. Shh… don’t tell Ms Dunlap.

Part 9: 81-90

81. We’re model un students, you don’t have half your teacher’s numbers?

82. We’re model un students, live laugh love excessive work.

83. We’re model un students, this class is my second home.

84. We’re model un students, my feet hurt… these shoes are so uncomfortable.

85. We’re model un students, it’s my worst grade, but my favorite class.

86. We’re model un students, we’re academically burnt out, but we keep going anyways.

87. We’re model un students, we are literal geniuses.

88. We’re model un students, i’m not going to the conference but i’m doing all the work anyways.

89. We’re model un students, you can’t wear a t-shirt to an official YMCA conference. *Face slap*

90. We’re model un students, remember when Faris broke like 7 plates at hershey lodge.

Part 10: 91-100

91. We’re model un students, we wake up at 4 when were at a conference, even though we got to the hotel at 10:30pm.

92. We’re model un students, it’s the best part of my day.

93. We’re model un students, we all have different talents, none of them are writing a position paper on time, though. We kind of suck at that.

94. We’re model un students, our countries always have the worst government

95. We’re model un students, we only do stuff when we want to, not when we’re told to.

96. We’re model un students, we never get our country choices.

97. We’re model un students, we’ve written countless letters to people, hoping to make a change in our communities, but we never get a reply.

98. We’re model un students, we’re the ones who are causing deforestation because we print out EVERYTHING.

99. We’re model un students, we always try to convince our teacher to take us to conferences in other countries… she always says no.

100. We’re model un students, what’s my committee stand for?

From January 5-7, 2024, 23 delegates from Silver Spring International Middle School attended the YMCA Model UN Conference at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This conference included nearly 200 middle school students from schools in six states in the NE region (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and New Jersey). Simultaneously, there was a High School Model UN Conference taking place that included over 1,300 delegates. The conference was coordinated by the YMCA but led by a comiitted, and impressive, team of Alumni of the program who ran the entire event as volunteers. 

During the three-day conference, students participated in three different types of Model UN Conferences (General Assembly, ICC, and Crisis). On the first day, students participated in a conference of the the General Assembly, where students debated the topics of Countering Disinformation and Food Security. During the conference, students shared their opening speeches, worked in blocs to write resolutions, and presented their resolutions. In addition, students were introduced to the conference's parliamentary procedures and they spent time practicing how to share their ideas in a "non-judgemental" way. 

On the second day, delegates participated in a conference for the International Criminal Court (ICC). In these conferences, students were assigned to either the defense, prosecution, or jury in the cases against Truman or Pol Pot. In these committee sessions, students were transformed into lawyers and it was truly awe inspiring to witness this transformation as the delegates gave their opening and closing remarks with dramatic pauses and pleas for impartiality from the juries. After this intense day of debate and discussion, students participated in evening activities, which included a Delegate Dance.

On the third and final day, delegates participated in a Crisis simulation, where students were tasked with creating a plan for action in response of the crisis unfolding in South Sudan. The urgent need for international action inspired delegates to write impassioned speeches and resolutions to meet the urgent needs of civilians. 

Over three days, our delegates met many new friends from schools across the region, as well as forming a strong bond with their classmates from SSIMS. Our delegation was excited to see our very own delegate, Lexi, win an award in recognition of her hard work throughout the weekend. Here are some quotes from the delegates shared about their experiences:

• "The YMCA MUN Conference was a great first MUN experience, and was filled with teamwork, a variety of committees, and overall lots of great moments (Also amazing food.)"

• "The YMCA MUN Conference is a amazing place to meet new people and express yourself."

• "The YMCA MUN Conference was my favorite conference ever, I met so many new people and had so much fun learning about these serious topics. THE FOOD WAS TO DIE FOR!!!"

We would like to express a special THANK YOU to Ms. Cortes for being an amazing chaperone! Thank you also to our student volunteers who stayed after school to put together our folders, Sylvia and Bemnt. Thank you!!!!