High school honors students raising funds for NYC Model U.N. conference

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

Students in the honors International Relations class at Sandpoint High School are gearing up to attend the National High School Model U.N. conference in New York in March, and will hold a fundraiser dinner and silent auction to help cover the costs.

Tickets are now on sale to attend the event, which is set for Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 5 p.m. at Marigold Bistro (414 Church St.). It costs $55 to attend, with tickets available at bit.ly/3E0Txlh.

Twenty students will go on the trip from March 10-15, along with teacher Conor Baranski and two chaperones, where groups will represent Switzerland and Bangladesh at the conference.

Participating students were given the choice of which committees they wanted to serve on and, once assigned, given topics to research. Examples include implementing biotechnology for disease and pest control, utilizing space technology for sustainable development, and how to ensure the safety of journalists and peacekeepers in conflict zones.

“The New York Model U.N. conference would be a fun way to learn about global issues, meet new people and build my skills in public speaking and collaborating,” said student Jetta Thaete.

The event on Feb. 1 will feature live music and a presentation about the trip, with child care and arts and crafts provided. Items in the silent auction include a snowboard, restaurant gift certificates, baskets containing pet items and Italian dinner supplies, pieces by local artists, two grand finale tickets to the Festival at Sandpoint, Sandpoint Cinema tickets and more.

The class has been working hard to raise funds for the trip, including raffling off a Subaru that was given at the Battle for the Paddle event on Jan. 17, and hosting 50/50 raffles and running concessions at basketball games. Students and their families have also contributed, as has the Sandpoint Rotary Club, which took in a presentation from the class.  

“I’m excited to get the opportunity to travel and get to be a part of the world’s largest Model U.N. conference,” said student Brooke Brown. “I’m looking forward to exploring one of the most culturally significant cities in the United States.”

“It’s not often that a kid from a rural town like Sandpoint gets to go to one of the most well-known cities in the world,” said student Houston Cordle. “I am also excited to get to see how world problems are solved in the actual setting they are solved at, and to be included in the solution making.”