Fourteen ISKL students traveled to the United Nations headquarters in Bangkok for the 2022 Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) Model United Nations (MUN). By capturing all of ISKL’s School-Wide Learning Results (SLRs), our students effectively utilized reason and creativity to solve global challenges through collaboration and debate. Congratulations to our Panthers for upholding ISKL’s long history of excellence in MUN.
Here, we catch up with our very own ISKL-MUN delegates and find out as a team what they were most proud of, their most memorable moments, and what advice they would give to future delegates taking part next season. Special thanks to Grade 12 student, Aryssa AG for sharing these answers on behalf of the MUN team!
Here are their stories:
As a team, what were you most proud of?
We were incredibly proud of the fact that all members of the team had the drive to win awards at IASAS to take home, which we did!
Through the amazing leadership of our secretariat and coaches, we were each fitted into committees that best suited our talents. From there, we could debate topics we truly felt passionate about and bring home ten awards.
Additionally, we’re so proud that we convened as a group during the committee breaks and shared our ups and downs while advising one another. It allowed our team to bond and made us an incredibly close-knit group. Overall, the awards and the support we gave each other are something we will keep close to our hearts as we move on to the next chapter of our lives come graduation.
Describe your most memorable moments during IASAS.
The most memorable moment as a team during IASAS was the closing/award ceremony. One by one, the chairs from each committee would award 5-6 individuals with either ‘Best Delegate,’ ‘Best Speaker,’ or an ‘Honorable Mention.’ However, their names would show up on the screen first.
As each committee was being recognized, we all held hands while giving each other words of affirmation, praying we would win an award. When each of us did, the team would stand up and cheer as loud as we could in front of the entire General Assembly, to the point where I believe the ISKL delegation was the loudest in the room!
I had wanted to win Best Delegate from the beginning, and when I did, seeing my teammates cheer my name and stay standing to clap for me as I collected my award was the most rewarding experience of my life. Not because I won the award I wanted but because I had the most incredible people supporting me in my journey to do so.
What is one piece of advice for a student who plans to participate in MUN next year?
It is not easy at the start. The MUN Procedure is not easy to pick up and get speaking time during the debate, and there will be moments when you feel like you have to force your way in. Additionally, there may be people in the room who could intimidate you or make you believe that you aren’t as good as they are. Despite these challenges, MUN is one of the most rewarding things you could participate in. The friendships you will make, and the confidence you gain will push you beyond your years and build your social and speaking skills.
My advice would be not to give up and ask experienced MUN-ers for help, and I promise you will succeed and hold the best delegate certificate in your hand at IASAS one day. As a senior who has officially retired from IASAS MUN, I would never exchange this experience for anything in the world. For this, I thank my Secretary General and my amazing coaches. They have pushed me to become the person I am today.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always has an anecdote to tell, loves to share some insights into their passions and interests, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.
