October 8, 2026 Submitted by Derby Academy
Students from Derby Academy’s Model UN club delivered an outstanding performance at the Greater Boston Model UN Conference (GBMUN), hosted at Suffolk University Law School last month. Joining scores of delegates from approximately 30 schools across the region, Derby students collaborated with peers to craft diplomatic solutions to critical global challenges, including sustainable access to clean water and combating waterborne diseases. Navigating a fall Nor’Easter, the delegates demonstrated exceptional teamwork, debate, and diplomacy.
Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation where students step into the shoes of diplomats, representing different countries in simulated UN committees. Through MUN, middle school delegates engage with complex global issues—ranging from international security and human rights to environmental sustainability—by researching nation-state perspectives, delivering formal speeches, negotiating in unmoderated caucuses, and authoring collaborative resolution papers.
Participating in three to four regional conferences annually, Derby’s Model UN program serves as a cornerstone extension of the school’s commitment to public speaking, confidence-building, and student leadership—hallmarks of the Derby experience:
Public Speaking: Long before entering middle school, Derby students practice standing up and speaking before peers and audiences, enabling them to address crowded committee rooms with poise, clarity, and persuasive power.
Confidence: By stepping into the role of global representatives, delegates learn to articulate complex positions on the spot, navigate fluid debate environments, and advocate for meaningful solutions with conviction.
Leadership: Middle school delegates take full ownership of their committee work—forming strategic alliances, mentoring younger peers, and negotiating consensus across diverse perspectives.
The following Derby Academy student pairs earned top honors for their performance:
Best Delegate – Algeria
Delegates: Reagan Bridier & Liv Goldman
Commendation: Delivered compelling speeches throughout the day, actively shaping the tone of debate and skillfully facilitating unmoderated discussions within their bloc.
Best Negotiator – Bangladesh
Delegates: Zara Hershiser & Mary Medaglia
Commendation: Facilitated productive discussions during unmoderated caucuses, demonstrated adept negotiation skills, and spearheaded a successful resolution in WHO 4.
Best Delegate – France
Delegates: Sophie Thorp & Emma Goulding
Commendation: Served as a constant positive force in the committee room, driving collaboration through formal speeches and leading the creation of two detailed, complementary resolutions in WHO 4.
Best Negotiator – Haiti
Delegates: Elliott Gammell & Emily DeFranco
Commendation: Built bridges effectively and thoughtfully, advocating for their country creatively while fostering strong collaboration across delegations.
About
Derby Academy
Derby Academy
is an independent day school in Hingham, Massachusetts, serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. The school empowers students to discover their passions, become confident leaders, develop intellectual curiosity, and cultivate strong character
through challenging and innovative academics, leadership opportunities, and community engagement.