The current generation of students—our future leaders and changemakers—have a lot resting on their shoulders. Fortunately, for eight at Cheshire Academy, they’re getting a head start on addressing these issues in front of a large group of likeminded individuals.

These eight students participated in the Model United Nations conference from Dec. 3-4, hosted by the Connecticut World Affairs Council. The event, held at the Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, marked the first in-person conference in almost two years for CA’s Model United Nations club. Vaccination checks were completed upon entering the site. Students used corporate boxes, batting cages, and team suites for the conference.

The group of CA students participated in several different mock situations and served on several committees, including the Weaponization of Artificial Intelligence, Universal Access to Green Energy, and Preparing for the Next Pandemic committees. Throughout the event, unique issues arose; for example, CA students on the pandemic committee had to address a polio outbreak. That same group of students also garnered enough support from other committee members to pass a resolution during the first day of the event—a challenging effort that demands a lot of work.