Written by William Parcel
Model United Nations, most commonly known as Model UN, is a controlled simulation of the United Nations, where students from various schools meet together and debate international problems. During the conferences, each school is assigned a country, or multiple. Through research, debate, and negotiation, the school's delegates work together to solve international problems, such as poverty, abusing human rights, climate change, etc. Model UN is an educational extracurricular that allows students to enhance their teamwork skills, critical thinking, and public speaking, allowing AHS students to learn about the workings of international diplomacy and gain problem solving skills.
On September 25th, 2025, the Algona Model UN team traveled to NIACC for Model UN Regionals, representing the United States. Algona's delegation stood out with an excellent showing. A total of six students were named outstanding delegates: Elijah Garrett, Kinsey Throne, Abby Lampe, Triston Fillingim, Jordan Jansen, and Nick DePue. In addition to the selected delegates, Thomas Espe and Lizze Gatton were recognized as alternate delegates. As students chose to step up and tackle international issues, the day was filled with lively debates and intense problem solving.
In early October, Algona’s Model UN attended a debate in Des Moines on October 29th and 30th. A total of 389 students from over 23 different high schools from across Iowa attended this debate. Algona was selected to represent the United States diplomacy to address and tackle current areas of conflict. On the first day’s session, a total of 141 outstanding Regional members convened to discuss their policy proposal papers with local experts. From AHS, there were a total of seven students selected as outstanding Regional delegates to represent the North Central Region. These delegates were Nick DePue, Kinsey Throne, Thomas Espe, Lizzie Gatton, Jordan Jansen, Triston Fillingim, and Abby Lampe. On day two, more Algona students joined the conference: Daisy Mitchell, Sophia Fuerstenau, Micah Kelley, Vlada Khomenko, Karsyn Bailey, Violet Espe, and Silkee Miller. AHS student Abby Lampe was one out of twenty students to be selected as an outstanding delegate within the committee. Congratulations to Algona’s Model United Nations team, good job!
In late February, Algona’s Model UN team is set to travel to Muscatine, Iowa, for three days to attend the Future Leaders Summit. During this conference, one hundred Chinese students will fly from across the world to discuss international issues and further strengthen their cultural diversity. This conference allows for AHS students to go bowling, go out to eat, and discuss global relations with the Chinese students. For the three day stretch, Algona students will be paired with a student from China, allowing for further connections, establishing relationships with foreign students, and providing an insight to other societal norms. This is one of the most important meets for the Model UN team, as they represent countries that are in serious conflict. Algona students will be representing Algeria, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Venezuela. Good luck to the AHS Model UN team representing AHS.
In late March, Algona is set to attend their final conference of the year, in Cedar Falls. Here Algona will be representing Russia and Israel. Both March 26th and the 27th Algona will discuss and debate current issues regarding their countries. Hopefully they will find success in being elected for multiple outstanding delegates. Good luck to AHS’s Model UN team.