From February 19th to the 21st, students traveled to Boston to participate in Harvard Model Congress (HMC), a competition that places high school “delegates” into the roles of lawmakers, policy leaders, and government officials. Led by Upper School teachers Mr. Rubiano and Ms. Naik, the trip combined committee sessions with time to explore the city, along with a last-minute race to beat the incoming winter storm.
“The conference is broken into over three dozen special committees or programs ranging from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the FBI. Students work within their committees to create bills in a legislative committee, or in the case of the FBI to solve a jewel heist. Our days range from a 2 hour committee session, to lunch, back to committee, and finally a rest period. The goal of the club is to get students engaged in government, help them expand their horizons and learn how the wheels of the American Government turn, and what they would do if put in a position to change things in our system,” Mr. Rubiano explained.
For many students, the conference was an opportunity to strengthen skills they had already begun developing in debate and Model United Nations.
“Given my history with debate and model United Nations, I figured HMC was another way to not only be involved with my community but to also further expand my skills in public speaking and politics,” sophomore Isabella Charlton said.
Charlton served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where students were tasked with addressing cyber security concerns and foreign aid. Committees met multiple times a day, with each session requiring students to collaborate, draft bills, and defend their proposals before peers representing both parties. Standing to present legislation quickly became one of the most defining parts of the experience.
“Going up to speak to present our bill was a nerve-wracking yet exciting experience. We were tasked with explaining all functional aspects of the legislation and we had to defend it under scrutiny,” Charlton explained.
Within the same committee, Sophomore Isla Brawn noted that bipartisan negotiation played a central role, which taught her how to collaborate in a high stakes environment.
“The reason I joined this club was because my friend Isabella [Charlton] and I wanted to strengthen our debate skills as partners for our future debate tournaments, as well as earn more debate points,” Brawn said.
While Foreign Relations focused on global policy, other committees addressed domestic economic issues. Senior Addy Walczak served on the House Financial Services Committee, where delegates debated federal reserve policy and inflation.
“I really have learned so much about debating and public speaking through HMC. There is nothing more difficult than getting up and talking in committee so it has been an incredible experience for me the past three years,” Walczak said.
Outside of committee sessions, students also had the opportunity to walk around Harvard, touring campus and exploring Boston landmarks including Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Mr. Rubiano also organized shops along the Freedom Trail, visits to Mike’s Pastries, and ice skating at Frog Pond.
“I’m already committed to Wake Forest, but it was still so fun to see Harvard’s beautiful campus. Mr. Rubiano also took us to the most amazing places which was the perfect way to spend some of our free time all together,” senior Caroline Smith expressed.
Perhaps the most intense moment of the trip came at the very end, though. As a major blizzard approached Boston, the group’s original flight was canceled, forcing a rapid change of plans.
“Mr. Rubiano quickly booked a flight for that night, and our group was able to leave within the hour for the airport. Although it was stressful and we got home very late, it was impressive that we were all able to rally so quickly,” Brawn said.
Despite the unexpected obstacle, the trip definitely achieved its purpose.
“We accomplished our goals insofar as the students who came got to experience something completely new, engage with the government, and we didn’t get stuck in Boston from the winter storms!” Mr. Rubiano.
From drafting legislation to racing the clock ahead of a snowstorm, the HMC trip allowed students the opportunity to learn more about the government and provided a real-world lesson in preparation, adaptability, and confidence under pressure.
