During a recent Model U.N. conference, Flathead High School students from four Western Civilization honors courses attempted to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Syrian crisis.

Although the sophomores had from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. to undertake such an enormous task, they came prepared after spending an entire quarter learning solely about the modern Middle East in the classes taught by Genia Allen-Schmid and Pat Reilly.

“The kids have been immersed in the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict and we thought this would be an engaging way for the kids to be able to use their knowledge,” Allen-Schmid said.

Each quarter is devoted to one historical topic.

“It’s not a survey course where you go from Egypt all the way to the Cold War,” Allen-Schmid said. “We are concentrating on much shorter units in time. For instance, for our third quarter, teachers could choose whether to focus on World War II or World War I.”

Students representing 36 countries and political parties had a crash course in Parliamentary procedure before holding debates — some heated — in the high school’s large lecture hall on May 30.

A delegate from each country had the opportunity to give a 30-second opening speech before congregating with allies in un-moderated caucuses. Eventually they voted on resolutions.

“They create resolutions, which are plans for action to solve the problem,” Allen-Schmid said. “That’s the cool part. They’re working to solve the Middle East crisis, which we haven’t done so far for 60 years. They were exploring different questions — the status of Jerusalem, the barrier wall, the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, independence for Palestine and, this afternoon, we’re looking at the Syrian crisis.”

Sophomores Daniel Olszewski (representing Iran), Wyatt McGillen (representing Syria) and MyKenzie Whitley-Emens (representing Hezbollah) said the challenge is acting and reacting from the perspective of the countries they represent.

“I think many of us are playing devil’s advocate roles where we do really oppose these views while trying to represent them,” McGillen said.

McGillen had previous experience in Model U.N. from participating in an after-school club led by Allen-Schmid. The club competed in a conference at the University of Montana last fall.

“It’s also really enlightening because you get to see it from their point of view,” Olszewski said. “You have to put yourself in that place — understand what’s going on — to get people to understand your point of view.”

Whitley said countries should negotiate resolutions that help the majority of people despite the group’s understanding that certain countries usually will not budge from a particular viewpoint, rather than try to persuade undecided countries.

During the first session of the day, students did come to a resolution: having Palestine and Israel revert back to borders established in 1947.

Kelsi Steele, a Flathead High School and University of Montana graduate, moderated the proceedings. Steele participated in Model U.N. at the collegiate level for three years and participated at national conferences in the U.N. New York headquarters.

Steele was overjoyed that Flathead was holding a Model U.N. conference co-led by her former teacher, Allen-Schmid. The rise of international-based curriculum and activities since she graduated in 2006 was exciting for her to see.

“This is literally a dream come true for me,” Steele said. “There weren’t a ton of international education opportunities for me when I was in high school and I feel like for students in Montana that’s especially important. To see 96 students get up and command knowledge on the Syria and the Palestinian issue is breathtaking to me.”  

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].