STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Wilmington’s Maddy Fisher Joins Global Delegates At Harvard Model United Nations In Boston

Below is a press release from Austin Prep:

BOSTON, MA — Fifteen Austin Prep students traveled to Boston to participate in Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN), one of the world’s largest and most prestigious international diplomacy simulations for high school students.

Over four days — January 29 – February 1 — at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Marriott Copley Place, students joined more than 3,500 delegates from over 60 countries, assuming the roles of world leaders, engaging in formal debate, negotiating policy solutions, and drafting international resolutions.

Representing Austin Prep at HMUN 2026 were underclassmen Madeleine Alves ’28, James Aprahamian ’27, Griffin Betts ’28, Jonathan Esolen ’27, Olivia Franjul-Soto ’27, Ella Gill ’28, Daisy McLaughlin ’27, Aanya Metpelly ’28, Zach Oliver ’28, Brady Payne ’28, Mark Sprow ’27, and Kim Tauro ’28.

For the three seniors in the delegation, the conference carried special significance. Maddy Fisher ’26 of Wilmington, Arianna Serrano ’26 of Windham, New Hampshire, and Doug Brindle ’26 of Burlington participated knowing this could be their final Model UN experience before heading to college and stepping into the real-world diplomacy and leadership they had spent years preparing for.

“It’s intense, but it’s also really rewarding,” Fisher said. “You’re surrounded by people from all over the world, and everyone is there because they care about the issues and want to work toward solutions.”

A Global Classroom Experience

At Harvard Model United Nations, students participate in structured committee sessions that mirror real international forums. Delegates engage in formal speeches, moderated debates, collaborative negotiations, and intensive resolution writing, all while representing the interests of assigned countries or organizations.

Students navigated complex global topics ranging from international security and economic stability to humanitarian policy and regional cooperation. Working alongside peers from around the world, they developed solutions through research, compromise, and sustained discussion.

“It’s a setting that’s meant to facilitate real discussion,” Fisher said. “You’re debating global issues with people from completely different backgrounds, and everyone brings a different perspective to the table.”

The conference environment emphasized professionalism, critical thinking, and collaboration, challenging students to listen closely, communicate clearly, and adapt to rapidly evolving debates.

“You have to think on your feet,” Fisher added. “It’s not just about what you prepared ahead of time. It’s about responding to what others say and figuring out how to work together.”

Model UN as Part of the Austin Prep Academic Experience

Model United Nations is a cornerstone of the humanities curriculum at Austin Prep.

Every ninth-grade student completes a full-year Model UN course that culminates in a schoolwide simulation conference led entirely by upper school Model UN students. Student leaders design committee topics, write background guides, moderate debate, and manage the resolution process, creating an authentic leadership experience.

Jon Whalen, Dean of Humanities at Austin Prep and Model UN Moderator, said the program is intentionally designed to move beyond traditional classroom learning.

“Model UN gives students the opportunity to apply research, public speaking, collaboration, and problem-solving in real time,” Whalen said. “They are not just learning about global issues, they are actively engaging with them.”

That academic foundation prepares students for high-level conferences such as Harvard Model United Nations.

“Our students walk into these environments confident, prepared, and ready to contribute,” Whalen said. “They understand how debate works, how to collaborate, and how to build solutions with others.”

Representing Austin Prep in International Debate

Throughout the four-day conference, Austin Prep students demonstrated thoughtful research, respectful discourse, and leadership in both large committee sessions and small working groups.

Whether delivering formal speeches, negotiating policy proposals, or drafting multi-page resolutions, students consistently modeled the skills developed through the Austin Prep Model UN program.

Whalen said watching students perform at HMUN is a powerful reflection of their growth.

“They are engaging with peers from around the world and holding themselves to an incredibly high standard,” he said. “The confidence, maturity, and intellectual curiosity they bring into these spaces is impressive.”

Fisher echoed that sense of growth.

“It forces you to listen just as much as you speak,” she said. “You can’t just push your own ideas. You have to understand what everyone else wants and figure out how to meet in the middle.”

Preparing Students for the World Beyond the Classroom

For many students, Harvard Model United Nations serves as both a capstone experience and a launching point for continued global engagement.

The conference challenges students to think critically about international issues, listen to diverse perspectives, and collaborate toward shared solutions, skills that translate directly to college and future leadership opportunities.

“It’s exhausting, but it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had in high school,” Fisher said. “It really prepares you for what’s ahead.”

Through Austin Prep’s year-long Model UN curriculum and participation in prestigious conferences like HMUN, students gain the tools to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Madeleine Fisher (center), of Wilmington, speaking with her Austin Prep classmates during the Harvard Model United Nations in Boston, Massachusetts.