March 2018 - Northeastern University
The United Nations Association of Greater Boston organized the annual Innovative Model UN (IMUN) Conference on Friday, March 2nd, 2018. THS delegates competed against students from ten other high schools debating the topic of nuclear proliferation. Tantasqua received the award of Best Position Paper in two out of the four assemblies. Amber Lataille and Jordan Guillete representing Germany, and Julio Mercado and Max Ballou representing Russia were the reward recipients.
March 2019 - Our Inaugural Host Conference
Clark University MUN co-president's, Antonella Davi and August Welles (left to right), served as our conference chairs and gave a presentation covering Parliamentary Procedure to kick-off the conference.
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Our guest speaker Ms. Abdi, right and her daughter Hirou, left.
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On Saturday, March 16th, 2019 delegates attended Tantasqua’s inaugural MUN host conference at Tantasqua Regional Senior High School in Fiskdale, Massachusetts. The topic for the conference was the Syrian Crisis, focusing both on the ongoing war and the refugee crisis it has created.
They welcomed keynote speaker, Dr. Sarah Bousquet to speak on the Global Refugee crisis and her part in working in refugee camps across Europe from 9:45-10:45 AM. Bousquet’s insight as both a Fulbright scholar living in Bulgaria and Greece, as well as a Harvard Egypt Forum Fellow provided delegates with a valuable global perspective.
After Dr. Bousquet’s speech, President Brooke Freitas called the committee into session and attendees transitioned into debate. The first session was held from 11:00-12:00 PM and focused on the Syrian Civil war. Delegates discussed topics such as the use of chemical warfare against civilians and the fate of the Assad Regime.
Students then had a break for lunch from 12:00-12:45 PM at Cornerstone Café and enjoyed a fantastic lunch prepared by Chef Popp and his culinary students. During lunch, Syrian refugee Roshan Abdi and her daughter spoke about their families experience fleeing Syria and their long journey to America. She then brought out traditional Syrian dishes for delegates to try as well as Middle Eastern accessories to purchase. All of the proceeds went to supporting her family still struggling in the Middle East.
Following Abdi’s remarks, members returned and held the second session from 12:45-2:30 PM where they focused on debate of the refugee crisis and then passing resolutions. The first resolution focused on a block of countries that were attempting to aid the migrants and help relieve pressure from struggling countries due to migrant overflow. The second resolution focused on getting the UN directly involved in the Syrian Civil War in order to defeat the Assad Regime as well as hold UN-monitored democratic elections. The third resolution detailed a plan where all foreign involvement in the war would leave and allow the Syrian people to decide who wins. After this, the UN would create a safe in order for free and fair elections to take place.
After much deliberation, delegates voted on all three resolutions. The first resolution, organized by France, passed with an overwhelming majority. The second resolution organized by the USA, passed by a narrow margin. The third resolution, organized by The Islamic Republic of Iran, failed. Closing ceremonies were then held and awards were distributed from 2:45-3:15 PM. Tantasqua distinctions included the award for Best Position Paper to Ty Lacey and Shannon Tweraser representing Turkey, the MUN Warrior Award and honorable mention to Aras Bellahcene and Liam Metz representing the USA, Honorable mention to Andrew Gustavson, representing the United Kingdom, Outstanding delegates to Michael Distefano and Reese Crosby representing Iran, and Best Delegate to Brooke Freitas representing France.
They welcomed keynote speaker, Dr. Sarah Bousquet to speak on the Global Refugee crisis and her part in working in refugee camps across Europe from 9:45-10:45 AM. Bousquet’s insight as both a Fulbright scholar living in Bulgaria and Greece, as well as a Harvard Egypt Forum Fellow provided delegates with a valuable global perspective.
After Dr. Bousquet’s speech, President Brooke Freitas called the committee into session and attendees transitioned into debate. The first session was held from 11:00-12:00 PM and focused on the Syrian Civil war. Delegates discussed topics such as the use of chemical warfare against civilians and the fate of the Assad Regime.
Students then had a break for lunch from 12:00-12:45 PM at Cornerstone Café and enjoyed a fantastic lunch prepared by Chef Popp and his culinary students. During lunch, Syrian refugee Roshan Abdi and her daughter spoke about their families experience fleeing Syria and their long journey to America. She then brought out traditional Syrian dishes for delegates to try as well as Middle Eastern accessories to purchase. All of the proceeds went to supporting her family still struggling in the Middle East.
Following Abdi’s remarks, members returned and held the second session from 12:45-2:30 PM where they focused on debate of the refugee crisis and then passing resolutions. The first resolution focused on a block of countries that were attempting to aid the migrants and help relieve pressure from struggling countries due to migrant overflow. The second resolution focused on getting the UN directly involved in the Syrian Civil War in order to defeat the Assad Regime as well as hold UN-monitored democratic elections. The third resolution detailed a plan where all foreign involvement in the war would leave and allow the Syrian people to decide who wins. After this, the UN would create a safe in order for free and fair elections to take place.
After much deliberation, delegates voted on all three resolutions. The first resolution, organized by France, passed with an overwhelming majority. The second resolution organized by the USA, passed by a narrow margin. The third resolution, organized by The Islamic Republic of Iran, failed. Closing ceremonies were then held and awards were distributed from 2:45-3:15 PM. Tantasqua distinctions included the award for Best Position Paper to Ty Lacey and Shannon Tweraser representing Turkey, the MUN Warrior Award and honorable mention to Aras Bellahcene and Liam Metz representing the USA, Honorable mention to Andrew Gustavson, representing the United Kingdom, Outstanding delegates to Michael Distefano and Reese Crosby representing Iran, and Best Delegate to Brooke Freitas representing France.
April 2022 - Westwood MUNC VI
Delegates pose for a photo while waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.
On Saturday, April 30th, 2022 delegates from Tantasqua’s Model United Nations club attended their first in-person conference since the fall of 2019 at Westwood High School. 120 student delegates were assigned roles in crisis-based committees debating critical topics such as homelessness in Boston, gene editing, the Belarus refugee crisis, post-revolution Cuba, and the United States Radium Corporation.
Abigail Gumlaw (left) and Julia Fearing (right)
Abigail Gumlaw received an Honorable Mention for her role as Dr. Mark Tizard in the CRISPR 2030 committee and Julia Fearing received Best Position Paper for her position as Elena Mederos Cabañas in the Cuban Council of Ministers.