On Feb. 19 and 20, Lakewood High School’s Model United Nations (Model UN) club attended its second conference of the school year at Case Western Reserve University. The first conference was held at Lorain County Community College.

Model UN is a club at LHS that offers students the opportunity to engage with global affairs through debate and compromise, working in groups with delegates from other schools to resolve international challenges.

The club does more than just attend conferences; extensive preparation goes into each event.

“We started working right after our fall conference to prepare for what we might not have beensuper good at the first time around,” said Lakewood High School senior and co-president Abigail Kovach.

After reviewing feedback from the previous conference, members worked with the co-presidents to identify areas for improvement. Kovach said, “Maya Trempe and I make sure to ask the members what they didn’t feel confident in — whether that be ‘jargon’ or how to write a resolution paper.”

Working with Kovach and Trempe allows younger members to collaborate with more experienced students. Trempe has participated in Model UN since sixth grade at Harding Middle School.

At the conference this past Thursday and Friday, members spent two days at Case Western Reserve University, where they worked with delegates from other schools to draft resolutions on issues relevant to their committees.

“I was in the Crisis Committee, so we were working on a case about the Louvre heist, which was pretty unique,” said Kovach about her involvement at the conference.

Beyond the topic itself, the Model UN format emphasizes teamwork and strong public speaking skills. Delegates must present ideas clearly, negotiate with others, and contribute to a final written resolution.

As Trempe explained, “Members collaborate with a bunch of other kids to write a resolution paper about [their] subject, and it involves a lot of public speaking. So we also try to help the kids during the club work on this and help build confidence.”

Members of Model UN are required to dress in business attire for the conference. “I think that when you are dressed in professional attire, your demeanor changes and you feel more professional,” said Model UN interim advisor Kate Brady.

The experience extends beyond committee rooms to the commute itself. “We take public transit down [to Case Western Reserve]. I think that the entire experience — not just the conference — from the moment we meet at the train station to getting off the train is very much like a real-world adult experience,” Brady said.

Senior Wyatt Crouch achieved the Superior Delegation award at the conference. Members and advisors advocate for the club. “It’s a lot of fun, and I think the students who are involved in Model UN are some of the brightest, most creative, and kindest students that I’ve worked with. It’s their enthusiasm and passion that keep the club going,” said advisor Lauren Kiszewski.

The Model UN club offers more than just a chance to debate global issues. It equips students with real-world skills, from public speaking and collaboration to professionalism and independence.

The preparation and teamwork required for each conference instill a confidence that serves students well beyond the committee room. For many students, Model UN is not just an extracurricular activity, but a meaningful opportunity to grow as leaders and engaged citizens.