Lyons Township High School’s Model United Nations Club took first place at the ninth annual Chicago International Model United Nations (CIMUN) conference. There were more than 50 schools and 1100 student delegates competing.  A special congratulation goes to LT’s 11 award winners. The countries they represented include Indonesia, Thailand, United Kingdom and Malaysia.

As one of the nation's largest independent conferences, CIMUN featured 20 innovative committees divided into either Present Day simulation or Historical Simulation set in 1950 that placed students in key decision-making roles during the formative days of the Cold War. The unique simulation-driven model gives delegates in all committees the opportunity to make world-shaping decisions in real time and requires them to think critically beyond the bounds of any one topic to best represent their national interests.

The conference included challenging scenarios and real life updates to keep the delegates thinking on their feet. Instead of relying only on traditional background guides, the CIMUN materials included primary source materials, samples from the news media and declassified intelligence documents designed to lead delegates to a deeper understanding of the issues that they debated, instead of simply regurgitating facts. Additionally, the Simulations Department provided every delegate with an in-depth briefing the first night of the conference.

The Model United Nations experience brings to life the problems that face the real world and allows participants to represent their assigned country's position and work toward resolving issues of global importance. Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly. A Model U.N. delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations.

Best, Outstanding and Honorable delegates are chosen by the committee chair or a handful of people in the front of the room facilitating the committee. A Delegate’s Choice honor is awarded when everyone in the committee votes for their favorite/most influential delegate. LT secured nine delegate honors and four top delegates were chosen by their peers as Delegate’s Choice winners.