A student has begun a Model UN club at Revere High School to create a learning space where students can meet new people and discuss international affairs.

Model UN is an organization based on the United Nations. Members, known as delegates, research the country they represent. From there, delegates attend contests and conferences revolving around different world affairs. 

Through Model UN, students learn about countries and meet students from other schools around Northeast Ohio with a similar interest in international affairs. 

Neha Yadavalli, a junior at Revere, worked with Leigh Haynam, English teacher, in the spring to get the club up and running at Revere. Model UN has around 20 members and they met for the first time on September 14. Competitions are on weekends at other schools in Northeast Ohio.

Yadavalli expressed her motivation for starting the club. 

“Having a basic education in international affairs is really pivotal in shaping future leaders and also promoting global understanding,” Yadavalli said. 

 She cited the recent deadly earthquake in Morocco as an example of why people should be aware of world wide current events. In Model UN, delegates simulate negotiations which teaches them how real world change takes place. They can attend crisis conferences to respond to real time mock crises.

Model UN’s workload is up to the individual. Students may devote hours of preparation but can also show up to a few practices and participate.

“It really depends how much you put into it,” Yadavalli said. 

Model UN leaders at Revere understand that students have many obligations. Haynam pointed towards busy students as one of the biggest challenges to growing as a club. 

“Students are stretched pretty thin,” Haynam said. 

Many Revere students already participate in other activities. Dr Andy Peltz, Revere High School’s principal, knows building a new club has its challenges.

  “[Students are] in band, they’re in choir, they’re athletes, and they’re taking challenging course loads,”  Peltz said.  

Model UN is a learning medium Revere has never had before.

“[Students] who maybe don’t feel that they found their right niche in either Speech and Debate or Mock Trial [may find it in Model UN]. That’s the nice thing is by adding more groups that have similar interests, but slight variance, it allows more people to shine,” Peltz said.

Haynam said that her main role in the future is to advise Model UN, but currently she is promoting it too. She said that work will be student led and directed.

Transportation to competitions should not be an issue for Model UN. Model UN will have bussing as long as Revere can find the bus drivers available, Peltz said. Other costs may need to be worked out in the future.

Any students interested in Model UN can visit Haynam in her classroom (C206) for more information. The club meets after school on Mondays.