Held each March, the annual Canadian Youth Model United Nations Conference draws from schools across Canada and the United States, and included a Brazilian delegation this year as well. Students represent a host of countries, and spend over 14 hours debating topics and writing resolutions on topics such as sustainable industrialization in the developing world, state-sponsored terrorism and desalinization and other water technologies. Perhaps the most exciting committee is “crisis,” designed to address time-sensitive issues of critical importance. This year’s topic was historical, and although this is a Canadian organized conference, the American Civil War was the topic. Eleventh graders Zach Duitz and Kobi Lindenbaum, played the roles of President Abraham Lincoln and John P. Usher respectively, and it certainly helped that they take AP U.S. History at SAR!

Impressing their committee chairs and fellow delegates with eloquent and convincing debate, well-crafted position papers and successfully negotiated resolutions, were Adin Pepper-Fox (World Food Program); Akiva Najman-Licht (Best Delegate, World Food Program); Ariela Feinblum (Honorable Delegate, United Nations Office for Outer Space Security); Ayal Smith (United Nations Economic and Social Council); Bella Ingber (Honorable Delegate, African Union); Caleb Siegel (Honorable Delegate, Counter Terrorism Committee); Ethan Lapp (World Food Program); Gabe Geller (African Union); Gabe Lang (Security Council); Gideon Askowitz (Best Delegate, African Union); Kobi Lindenbaum (Crisis); Moshe Tambor (United Nations Office for Outer Space Security); Tifi Grossman (United Nations Economic and Social Council); Yakira Bergman (Honorable Delegate, Counter Terrorism Committee); Yonatan Najman-Licht (Best Delegate, United Nations Economic and Social Council); Yoni Perla (Honorable Delegate, Security Council); Zach Duitz (Best Delegate, Crisis).

Becoming a member of SAR’s team is a three to four year commitment that both challenges and inspires students to advance their speaking and conflict resolution skills. Students benefit from shared support and encouragement, and the team takes preparation seriously, dedicating practices to mock committee sessions, public speaking drills, intense debate and negotiation. Congratulations to the entire team and to their coach, Jen Pepper, for another winning year!