Through the generous support of the W. Darcy McKeough ’51 Fund a group consisting of ten students and two staff members was able to attend the prestigious North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) hosted by Georgetown University in Washington D.C. As a joint effort between the Politics Club and Debating Society, participation in this year’s conference allowed Ridley students to take a seat at the largest student-run Model United Nations in the world alongside 3,000 other delegates.

It was a memorable experience that allowed participants to draft legislative papers, propose resolutions, debate, and explore issues of international importance. For each of the Ridley students represented, this was a first-time experience, and it was a great learning experience.

In addition to the full conference at NAIMUN, the Ridley delegation had an embassy tour at the Austrian Embassy, engaged with keynote speakers from the U.N., Georgetown University, and the U.S. government, and had the opportunity to visit the famous landmarks of Washington including the Capitol, White House, and Smithsonian Museums.

The Speaking Arts at Ridley have experienced a renewed energy as a result of the W. Darcy McKeough ’51 Fund, and the addition this year of the Model United Nations has augmented the importance of this dynamic co-curricular activity. Each of the participants- Grace Lowes, Kayla Archer, Caitlin Hyland, Philip Brenninkmeyer, Antonio Aspite, Noel Cousins, Bolade Fotade, Daniel O’Rourke, Bart Skala, and Rahul Walia- is grateful for the opportunity that this initiative has afforded. It is expected that all elements of the program- public speaking, debate, model UN- will continue to develop at the school and beyond its wider gates.