King Delegates Earn Honors at Harvard Model UNs
Building on their success at Brown in November, twenty students attended Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN), one of the largest and most prestigious high school Model UN conferences worldwide. Competing late last month, King’s delegates rose to the challenge in an environment known for intensity and tough debate.
Steven Blanco ’26, Ian Kurlander ’27, and Philip Raute ’29 earned Diplomatic Commendations, while Leon Wang ’26 received an Honorable Mention, a recognition that reflects both preparation and the strength of King’s program.
For Steven, the conference matched the complexity of the issues under discussion. Assigned to the Futuristic General Assembly, he helped develop solutions on mass migration and the climate crisis alongside delegates from across the globe. He described the experience as both humbling and energizing.
“The stakes at HMUN were high,” Steven said. “Getting a word in is difficult with so much competition, so every speech carries pressure. You have limited chances to make an impression.”
Because he did not have the opportunity to speak until the second day, after alliances had formed, Steven focused on relationship-building outside formal debate. “I learned that influence isn’t always exercised at the microphone,” he said. “It’s built quietly through trust, adaptability, and strategic listening.”
Philip tackled a different challenge: the militarization of outer space. Representing Thailand in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, he negotiated how nations should handle hidden satellite capabilities and anti-satellite weapons.
As the debate progressed, Philip realized that sweeping bans would likely fail. He advocated a pragmatic approach centered on transparency, including voluntary reporting, confidence-building measures, and clear UN communication so space activities would be more predictable.
“That shift toward a realistic solution changed the direction of diplomacy in our committee,” Philip said. “It showed how important it is to balance ideal goals with what countries are willing to agree to.”
Representing a nation he knew little about broadened Philip’s perspective. “It made me realize how important it is to understand more than one side of a story,” he said. He described the experience as formative and motivating and looks forward to returning next year to continue learning about the world beyond headlines and social media.
English teacher Lindsay Stone and history teacher Lindsey Rossler, who co-advise the club, praised the students’ performance.
“We were impressed by how well our students did,” Stone said. “It was wonderful to see them collaborating with peers from across the world and taking leadership roles in their committees.”
The team’s success builds on the foundation established by longtime advisor Christos Galanopoulos, who retired last year. Stone and Rossler continue to consult him for guidance and to share updates.
King’s Model UN team plans to return to both Harvard and Brown next year, ready to build on their achievements and continue developing the next generation of global thinkers.
Congratulations to the following students who attended the 2026 Harvard Model UN:
Lucia Vivanco ’26
Joaquin-Antonio Arteta ’26
Steven Blanco ’26
Leon Wang ’26
Cyrus Noren ’26
Hathaway Liparidis ’26
Izzy Ryan ’28
Coco Liu ’29
Lilah Mehta ’27
Justina Marque ’27
Nick Marti ’27
Max Marti ’27
Ian Kurlander ’27
Brendan McCarthy ’27
Philip Raute ’29
Charlie Mehta ’27
Noor Nomani ’27
Cristina Saez de Ibarra ’27
Olivia Ajayi ’27
Siena Gambino ’27