LIFE in the classroom - High school hosts Model UN conference
- Mark Jahne
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
by Mark Jahne
Editor
Submitted photos
High school students are learning how to debate, advocate and negotiate. It’s all part of the Model United Nations program.
Rocky Hill High School hosted its second Model UN Conference on March 29. The theme was to explore global challenges through debate and diplomacy while speaking boldly, negotiating wisely and acting globally.
Model United Nations is an educational simulation where students role play as diplomats representing UN member states, debating global issues such as climate action, health and security. It enhances research, teamwork and critical thinking skills while fostering a deeper understanding of international relations and the UN’s sustainable development goals.
RHHS was a bit behind other high schools around the state in forming a Model UN Club. Idhaant Bhosle, now a senior, took the initiative three ago. He had attended a related program at Georgetown University while in eighth grade.
“I founded the club during my freshman year. It was not an easy journey,” he said.
He couldn’t recruit a faculty advisor at first, something that is required before the school will officially sanction a club activity. Not willing to give up, he circulated a petition and more than 200 fellow students signed it.
Idhaant attended the town’s annual FallFest in October 2022 and utilized the opportunity to speak face-to-face with people who could make a difference.
“I was able to meet members of the Board of Education and they encouraged me to go forward with it,” he recalled.
The board provided funding for eight students to attend a Model UN in Boston in 2023. Even though they were a newly formed group they won an award in a competition featuring more than 2,000 students. Each student is assigned to represent a specific country.
The Rocky Hill High School Model UN Club was officially formed and began operations with 30 members. Idhaant is its founder and secretary general. It’s much larger now.
“The club has grown exponentially,” he said.
He enjoys working on his negotiating and public speaking skills at Model UN conferences. He also likes that students get to represent different countries and different perspectives and has a personal interest in international diplomacy and international relations.
Idhaant will be attending Harvard University in the fall to study international diplomacy and international relations.
“I want to become a U.S. ambassador someday,” he said.
The next step on his journey will be Harvard University where he plans to study government and economics. He came to the United States with his family as a young child.
“I was born in India and moved here. I always want to support the American Dream,” he said.
Principal John Fote is pleased with the evolution of this club and Idhaant’s leadership. He added that the school’s Model UN conference went extremely well. As part of the festivities, the local chapter held a fundraiser and the $302 it collected will be donated to the Hartford YWCA.
“The intricacies of what they did that day absolutely blew my mind,” Fote said. “They went from 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night on a Sunday. I’m proud of them all.”
The keynote speaker was former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin. Judges were college students from the University of Connecticut and New York University.
“We had 90 students from more than 10 schools,” Idhaant said. “It’s been great. It’s been a lot of fun.”
The club went to Boston earlier this year and performed well.
“We had 12 students go and four of us won awards,” he said.
The award winners are Anvi Bose, Idhaant Bhosle, Eshan Malhotra and Suhaan Wasu. The club’s faculty advisor is Michael Dudis.
“This inspires other students to be risk takers” and suggest other activities and clubs that could benefit the school, Fote said.
In addition to Idhannt, other leaders of the club are Director General Anvi Bose and Under-Secretary Generals Bayan Abed, Tyler Eigo, Anushka Jani, Eshan Malhotra, Sid Oberai, Tanvee Powar, Prithika Venugopal and Suhaan Wasu, RHL
For more information visit rhhsmun.com.