Samo’s MUN team competes at UCLA

On Nov. 8-9, Samo’s Model United Nations (MUN) team attended the annual UCLA BruinMUN conference, one of the largest in the nation—hosting nearly 2,000 students. The MUN program aims to offer an opportunity for students to learn how global issues are solved by modeling after the debate style used by the United Nations. The conference, which included student-led committees, featured Novice, Moderate and Advanced sessions, all debating geopolitics.

Students were able to speak on a range of issues from warfare to economics set in a multitude of states and nations. This experience stimulated teamwork and problem-solving skills, while providing a realistic system for students to learn how to engage in their global government.

While Samo students didn’t earn awards at this year’s conference, MUN participant Lily McGrath (’27) commented on how it still served as a learning experience as well as an opportunity to connect with other schools’ MUN chapters.

“It’s a good opportunity for students to learn public speaking and critical thinking skills as well as learning how to convey your ideas,” McGrath said. “The BruinMUN conference is probably the most competitive conference we go to… It’s really important that we go to these conferences so we can actually compete against other schools.”

Heather Knight, the club’s advisor and activity facilitator, spoke about the next stages for the club.

“We are hosting our own conference here at Samo on Jan. 24, it’s open to anybody in Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and anyone local,” Knight said. “New members will get to be delegates at that and then our more advanced delegates will actually be chairing debates and running [the conference].”

At the BruinMUN convention, delegates participated in MUN on a larger scale and gained experience they hope to bring to their own conference early next year.