SHS students host fundraiser for Model U.N. conference  in NYC

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

​​Students in the honors international relations class at Sandpoint High School have their sights set on New York City and are hosting a fundraiser to help pay for the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The class, taught by SHS faculty member Conor Baranski, is planning to attend the National High School Model U.N. conference in New York in March. To raise money for the trip, members of the community are invited to an international dinner and silent auction fundraiser Friday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at Marigold Bistro (414 Church St., in Sandpoint), including food, live music and entertainment. Tickets are $55 and all proceeds will help the SHS Model U.N. team travel to the conference.

Baranski told the Reader he has always enjoyed how the Model U.N. helps students develop important skills they’ll use later in life.

“The research they must engage in is so far above what most SHS students ever experience,” he said. “To prepare for an MUN conference, our students are preparing position papers by deeply researching topics like how to deal with the proliferation of lethal autonomous weapons or the sovereignty of disappearing island nations or utilizing space technology for sustainable environmental practices.”

Students must formulate positions on those and other topics based on countries they represent. Instead of just searching Google, they turn to hard data, think tank findings, public speeches and other sources to arrive at a conclusion.

“When students are not engaged in writing position papers, we are working on their public speaking skills and running through simulations so they are prepared for the two conferences we attend,” Baranski said.

Public speaking is a big part of the roleplay conference, as each student will give public testimony on their country’s policies and proposed solutions. They will also engage in interpersonal skills by working with small and large groups of other students to collaborate on potential solutions, Baranksi said.

“It is an academic whirlwind as these delegates are crunched for time to come to potential solutions,” he added.

As far as international relations student Tempy Bryan is concerned, she’s ready for the whirlwind. Bryan was drawn to the class because of her interest in politics, as well as her brother having Baranski as a teacher and recommending the opportunity.

“Model U.N. appeals to me because even though the world is in disarray, it gives me a sense of hope seeing that this new generation cares and is willing enough to work toward a solution that could better our world,” Bryan told the Reader.

Bryan said the Model U.N. team is just the tip of the iceberg for the international relations class.

“We expand off of that,” she said. “We don’t just prepare for conferences … we learn about geopolitics, culture, people and policies around the world, and public speaking.”

Baranski, who also teaches government and psychology, said 2025 was his first time attending a NHSMUN conference as the teacher of the international relations class.

“I was absolutely taken aback at what a unique experience this was for our students from little Sandpoint, Idaho,” he said.

This conference is something special for Baranksi’s class, because it might not happen in subsequent years.

“At this point, we don’t know if this class will continue next year, so this will be potentially the last time that we can provide such an incredible experience for our students,” he said.

Funds raised at the international dinner and silent auction will help ensure the class is able to fly to New York where, “We will be able to meet real U.N. delegates and high-ranking politicians and speak with them,” Bryan said.

Meanwhile, Bryan is counting the days until the trip.

“I am personally so ecstatic about this trip,” she said. “I have been looking forward to it all year long. Going to New York and experiencing sightseeing is going to be so fun. And being able to be part of such an important event is so incredible and beyond what I could’ve imagined for myself. I hope to meet and speak with people from around the world and create solutions to things that will affect my future with those said people.”

For more information about the class and upcoming conference, email [email protected]. To purchase tickets to the fundraiser, visit bit.ly/SHS-MUN.