20 students hit D.C. for model U.N. gathering | Arts & Culture

Students experience D.C. with youth-government groups  

A group of Middleton High School students spent last week in the nation's capital as part of a field trip and international relations gathering.

The students were participating in the 50th annual North American International Model United Nations conference sponsored by students at Georgetown University. More than 2,500 students from across the country and around the world participated in the four-day event, which ran from Feb. 14-17. 

Group adviser and MHS teacher David Piovanetti said the 20 kids who participated in the D.C. trip did well in the role-play exercises as part of the conference.

"The students did a fantastic job representing their countries and dealing with a wide range of serious global issues," Piovanetti, who teaches social studies, said. "I couldn't be more proud of them."

While in Washington, D.C., the students toured the Capitol building and met with U.S. Representatives Ron Kind and Mark Pocan.

The event included 40 simulated U.N. sessions, like standard committees from the U.N. General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council, as well as crisis simulations of various regional and international organizations.

Students were pushed to heighten their understanding of the international system from both political and legal perspectives, while also testing their negotiation, judgment and problem-solving skills.