Local students debate national issues

Hundreds of high school students gathered to frivolously debate national issues on April 9, during the annual Lee Markus Sewanhaka Inter-School District Model United Nations competition. The event was held at the Sewanhaka High School, and students from the Elmont Memorial, Floral Park Memorial, H. Frank Carey, New Hyde Park and Sewanhaka high schools represented countries from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan, taking up their respective interests and debating issues passionately, from early morning until sunset.

The SIDMUN program is based on the United Nations, and students are assigned countries to represent and debate about. Students put forth their nations’ respective positions in papers, through debate and through resolutions, which were considered by committees and the Security Council.

The morning began with a breakfast and program, including a keynote address by Sen. Jack Martins, of Elmont. Also in attendance for the opening ceremony were Warren Meierdiercks, the Sewanhaka Central High School District’s superintendent; Dr. Linda Opyr; Lee Markus; John Capozzi, Elmont Memorial High School’s principal; Val Angelillo, Carey’s principal; Debra Lidowski, Sewanhaka’s principal; and Michael DeMartino, New Hyde Park’s principal.

During one of the Security Council meetings at the SIDMUN competition, students debated issues of strategic importance to different regions and countries, discussing subject matters such as nation building, drug trafficking, natural disaster preparedness and economic stability.

Students also intensely debated the state of the nation of Haiti, and how to rebuild the nation in the aftermath of a recent natural disaster. The debate was made all the more current with the recent Tsunami that has impacted Japan. Saul Ellison and Crystal Nwaogbe, of Elmont Memorial, made inspiring speeches during the competition, which earned them awards.

“It’s not only the competitive aspect of Model UN, but it’s very eye-opening when you get to learn about places that don’t have the great our fortunes our country is blessed to have,” said Elmont student Saul Ellison. “Personally, Model UN has made a big impact on my life.”