On Sunday, December 7, 2025, twenty-two delegates from seventh, eighth, and ninth grade traded their weekend downtime for diplomacy. Representing the IMS Model United Nations (MtnMUN) team, the delegates traveled to the Millbrook School for MillMUN 2025 — an annual Model United Nations conference that draws students from neighboring schools. By the end of the day, our delegates had debated complex global issues, forged alliances, and even brought home multiple awards for their impressive performances.

This year, MillMUN featured two General Assembly committees and two fast-paced crisis committees themed around the world of Harry Potter.

  • United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
  • Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
  • JCC Reconstruction of the Ministry of Magic – Pro-Ministry
  • JCC Reconstruction of the Ministry of Magic – Anti-Ministry

Across these four committees, students practiced public speaking, negotiation, collaboration, and the art of compromise.

Deflecting Asteroids and Building Consensus in UNOOSA

In the UNOOSA General Assembly, delegates tackled two cutting-edge topics: the threat of near Earth objects (NEOs) and the militarization of space. Students proposed creative solutions to deflect NEOs away from Earth and to protect populations if impact became unavoidable, including large-mass bunkers and funding strategies to support such massive projects. Two working papers successfully passed, reflecting a strong spirit of cooperation and problem-solving.

Three MtnMUN delegates earned awards in this committee:

  • Henry Breece – Best Position Paper
  • Quinn Van Wormer – Outstanding Delegate
  • Maaz Imran – Best Delegate
Rising Tides and Stronger Ties in AOSIS

In the AOSIS committee, delegates represented small island nations facing two serious threats: modern piracy and environmental degradation. Students explored how international naval cooperation could reduce piracy and how better communication among small island states could improve security and resilience. The debate also focused on the creation and protection of Exclusive Economic Zones — maritime areas near a country’s coast where that nation has special rights to explore, use, conserve, and manage marine resources such as fish, oil, gas, and renewable energy.

From this committee, one MtnMUN delegate took home an award:

  • Kevin Tong – Outstanding Delegate
Magic, Mayhem, and Crisis Management

The two crisis committees — JCC Reconstruction of the Ministry of Magic, split into Pro-Ministry and Anti-Ministry — dropped students into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter just after the Second Wizarding War. Voldemort was dead, the wizarding world was in ruins, and the Ministry of Magic’s corruption had been laid bare. Delegates had to decide: rebuild the Ministry or resist it? Over the course of the day, students debated how to confront institutional corruption, protect vulnerable populations, and design a more just magical society. In true crisis-committee fashion, the storyline escalated quickly: people were abducted, some characters were resurrected, alliances shifted—and, in the end, the world exploded based on the delegates’ decisions.

Two MtnMUN delegates were recognized for their preparation and written work:

  • Ava Frydl – Best Position Paper (JCC Ministry of Magic – Anti-Ministry)
  • Lena Kim – Best Position Paper (JCC Ministry of Magic – Pro-Ministry)

Faculty facilitators Ms. D’Angelo and Ms. Vaughn are immensely proud of every delegate who attended MillMUN, especially those for whom this was their very first Model UN conference. Students volunteered their Sunday, prepared in a short timeframe, and showed remarkable maturity, resilience, and creativity under pressure.

Between world-saving debates, surprise plot twists, and a handful of new inside jokes, MtnMUN’s trip to MillMUN 2025 was equal parts education and adventure. Our delegates left with newfound confidence, real-world skills, and stories that will be retold for years to come. Building on this momentum, MtnMUN looks forward to potentially hosting a conference of our own later this term and attending additional conferences in the spring. If MillMUN was any indication, the future of diplomacy — and perhaps the galaxy or wizarding world — is in excellent hands.

Written by Ms. Sammi D’Angelo