By Rocky Parker, History Teacher

Last week, seven St. Margaret’s seniors attended the 10th annual Harvard Model Congress simulation in San Francisco. Harvard Model Congress San Francisco has long carried a proud tradition of teaching youths about the intricacies of American government through hands-on simulations and debates. Beginning last September with the student’s request for roles, these seven students worked hard to prepare themselves for these four days of intense government simulation, in which they excelled.

Kate Walters and Rachel Rohrer were assigned to the Press Corps, and they were responsible for publishing the daily newspaper covering the political events of the conference. Cloe Peralez was allocated the role of Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, and a member of the National Economic Council as part of the Harvard’s Special Program Committees. Four students were assigned to Congressional roles: Jake Graham represented Democratic Congressman Howard Berman, from California’s 28th Congressional District, and was assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Jeff Jung was given the role of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, from New Hampshire, and was a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Harrison Stern represented Republican Senator Jefferson Sessions III, from Alabama, as a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; and Chris Wilkins was given the role of Utah Republican U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.

All students distinguished themselves with true Tartan Spirit and fully engaged themselves in the four-day simulation. Kate and Rachel each wrote four stories each day, covering about a dozen committees Harvard had created for the government simulation. Cloe did a wonderful job representing the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, discussing the merits of the economy and how to fund the particular student congressional bills. Harrison and Chris worked the Senate filibuster to perfection, causing Democratic members to regularly attempt a cloture vote. Jeff adroitly argued his party’s role on Foreign Relations, and Jake was master of the House.

Harvard recognized each of our students, and St. Margaret’s, for their superior performance at the 10th annual conference. In addition, four students were recognized for noteworthy performance and awarded a Gavel for their hard work in San Francisco. Only one Gavel is awarded for each committee, and for St. Margaret’s to earn four of the 12 Gavels was quite a remarkable achievement. The four students who received Gavels were Jeff Jung, Jake Graham, Chris Wilkins and Kate Walters. Presentation of these awards will occur at the Upper School Convocation on Monday, February 1. Congratulations, Tartans!

Tags: Academics, Upper School