In earl-December, Garfield High School’s Model United Nations (MUN) team traveled to Columbus to participate in the Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) event, an annual gathering where students represent different countries, draft resolutions, and engage in diplomatic debates. Under the guidance of advisor Mr. Jacob Der, the team worked diligently to prepare for the competition.
Senior Abygail Seiler and sophomore Hannah Timmons, both members of the MUN team, shared their experiences on the Beyond the Bureau podcast hosted by Quinn Roborecki and SadieMae Ewell. According to Seiler, the team selected Jamaica and Kiribati as their countries of representation. "My country chose Jamaica, and our resolution was to raise up the funds to budget Jamaica makes because they’re very poor. To do that, we needed to fix our prison systems and address gang issues, since those problems discourage tourism," she explained. The Kiribati team, led in part by Timmons, focused on the existential threat of rising sea levels. "We kind of had to address how to fix rising water levels. You can’t really fix rising water, so we had to look at how to move forward," she said.
Preparation for the event was no small task. Team members met regularly during the school’s dedicated “G-Men Time,” where they selected their countries, researched global issues, and drafted resolutions. The process culminated in the development of persuasive speeches and adherence to strict procedural rules, including addressing the assembly formally and following proper debate etiquette. "One of the biggest parts of Model UN is learning all the rules," Timmons noted. "You have to be really careful about how you address the assembly, and if you mess up, people will bang on the tables—it’s really intense."
The OMUN event itself was an intense yet rewarding experience. Seiler and Timmons described the structured debates where students presented resolutions, defended their positions, and responded to challenges from other delegations. The competition was fierce, with some students taking an aggressive approach to debating in an effort to win awards such as “Best Delegate.” "Some schools take this so seriously that they practice every single day," Seiler mentioned. "We only had meetings twice a week, so it was a little intimidating to see how prepared some teams were."
Beyond the debates, the trip to Columbus offered moments of camaraderie and fun. The team enjoyed meals together, attended the International Summit dance, and even started an unexpected tradition—sharing a giant Rice Krispies treat among their hotel floor neighbors. "Danny got this huge Rice Krispies treat at Cracker Barrel on the way down, and by the end of the night, everyone on our floor had a piece," Timmons recalled. "It was totally unsanitary, but it was hilarious."
For many students, MUN provided invaluable skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and global awareness. Timmons, in her first year on the team, expressed her intention to participate again, highlighting how the experience opened her eyes to global issues and diplomacy. "There are so many countries I didn’t even know existed, and the event made me realize just how many global issues are out there that people don’t talk about," she said. Seiler, a second-year participant, emphasized the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, particularly when speaking before large audiences. "This year was the first time I actually spoke in front of everyone, and I was freaking out. But once I did it, it felt great," she admitted.
Despite the competitive nature of OMUN, the Garfield team found the event to be both educational and enjoyable. As they look ahead to next year, they have already begun planning their next country selections, eager to improve and take their resolutions even further. "We already picked our country for next year on the way home," Timmons said enthusiastically.
With Mr. Der’s continued leadership and the dedication of its members, Garfield’s MUN team is set to build on its success and make an even greater impact in the world of student diplomacy.