The McKenna Model United Nations Conference, hosted at Claremont McKenna College on April 11-12, brought together high school delegates from across the region for a weekend of debate, diplomacy, and problem-solving. Among the competing schools, Agoura High School stood out as its MUN team faced off against approximately forty other schools, tackling complex global issues while representing different countries and perspectives.
The conference featured a mix of General Assembly (GA) and crisis committees, each offering a different style of debate. GA committees, including Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN), and the World Health Organization (WHO), focused on structured, formal debate with resolutions and collaboration between delegates. Topics ranged from missile security, accidental launches, and regional stability to regulating the global flow of cryptocurrency and strengthening preparedness for neurodegenerative diseases. In contrast, there were many crisis committees, such as The Sith Council, The Louvre Board of Directors: Crisis at the World’s Most Visited Museum, and The Plague: 1300s Florence. These were fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring delegates to think on their feet, respond to evolving scenarios, and make quick strategic decisions.
In preparation for the conference, members of Agoura’s Model United Nations team dedicated significant time to attend regular meetings and skill-building workshops. Delegates participated in sessions focused on writing strong position papers, improving their research, and developing clear country stances on complex topics. The team also practiced crafting and delivering speeches, allowing students to build confidence in public speaking while receiving feedback from peers and experienced members. These preparations helped ensure that delegates entered the conference ready to engage effectively in both formal debate and fast-paced committee environments.
The work paid off because Agoura High School saw significant success at the conference, with three delegates earning individual awards. Rawan Darwiche received a Verbal Commendation in The Sith Council, Caroline Colclasure earned Outstanding Delegate in WHO, and Brandon Zipori achieved Best Delegate in The Louvre Board of Directors. Brandon stated in an interview, “I’m really proud that I won, but I wouldn’t have been able to win in the first place if Alex and Tori (Agoura MUN Presidents) didn’t support me going. I also think what helped me throughout the weekend was the fact that I motioned and spoke a lot in my committee when others didn’t. I used the three bullet point method for my moderated caucuses which helped me cover what I wanted to cover and gave my speeches structure. What also helped me was being the leader of the biggest unmoderated group. Hudson also played a huge role by attacking me and putting all the attention on me during the committee which helped me stand out to other delegates and the chairs.” Notably, Brandon Zipori’s award marked the first Best Delegate win in the history of Agoura’s MUN team, making it a milestone achievement for the program.
As a result of this success, Agoura’s MUN team is planning to expand its program by introducing a dedicated crisis team to better prepare students for fast-paced, specialized committees in future conferences. Brandon, the one leading the crisis team, stated, “My goal is to create strong delegates that win multiple high achieving awards in each committee. I’ve already seen so much improvement within the members who come to the crisis meetings.” This shift reflects both the team’s growth and its commitment to adapting to new challenges, ensuring continued success in upcoming competitions.
