On Thursday, January 30, eight members of the Dana Hall Model U.N. team traveled to Philadelphia to compete in the University of Pennsylvania’s Ivy League Model U.N. Invitational. With more than 2,500 students participating from schools around the country, Dana Hall, representing the country of Moldova, was one of the smallest delegations to attend. Despite their small size, the Dana Hall team was triumphant.

For three days, the eight Dana Hall Moldova “delegates” debated, discussed, negotiated, bartered, conducted research, drew up working papers, lobbied fellow delegates for support, and gave speeches. While the team was one of the smallest in numbers, their hard work was recognized. Two of their resolutions were passed, they received exceptional marks on all of their position papers, and they earned verbal commendations in three out of four committee rooms.

Faculty advisor Heather Panahi was blown away with Dana Hall’s success and noted, “In the five years that I have been coaching this team, I have never seen a more devoted, supportive, determined bunch of young women.”

The Dana Hall chapter of Model U.N. was formed five years ago in an effort to expand students’ horizons and encourage different ways of thinking about the world. Model U.N. is an international organization representing an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and other multilateral bodies.

The team will compete next at the Northeast Model Arab League in April.