Learning to Lead on the Global Stage: WMUN in Action
July 2, 2025
When Wheeler Model UN (WMUN) was honored with the “Community Council Award for Club Excellence” at the Upper School’s annual Awards Assembly, it capped off an outstanding year that included honorable mentions at the Global Citizens Model United Nations (GCMUN) in New York and EagleMUNC in Boston earlier in the spring.
“We see this award as a culmination of the work we’ve done to bring more structure to the club and our meetings, and to offer greater support to our delegates, not just teaching them how to be delegates, but how to be great delegates who go above and beyond, and find their voice in any committee, regardless of the apparent ‘size’ of their position,” shared former co-presidents (and now recent Wheeler alumni) Maxwell Frank ’25 and Diya Kinikar ’25.
We caught up with one of this year’s standout delegates, Odysseas P. ’26, who had a defining moment at GCMUN. Representing the Russian Federation in the World Intellectual Property Organization committee, he was selected to speak during the conference’s closing ceremonies – an opportunity given to just a handful of delegates out of hundreds in attendance.
His speech focused on the exploitation of Indigenous communities and the appropriation of their traditional knowledge by foreign companies without proper compensation. “Since the United Nations cannot directly regulate companies, we proposed an international framework that would require countries to enforce compensation standards within their borders,” he explained.
Odysseas credits the WMUN Club for helping him develop the confidence and poise needed to present in front of a large audience. “Model UN is unique and special because it requires preparation, improvisation, and adaptability,” he says. “You can come in with a plan, but once the debate starts, you have to respond in real time to what others say, relying on your research and ability to think on your feet. I enjoy discussing politics and debating, and while addressing a crowd can still feel overwhelming, I see it as a valuable skill to keep practicing.”
Looking ahead, Odysseas is considering studying economics and foreign relations in college – but before that, he’s looking forward to a busy senior year with WMUN, including co-chairing one of the committees at the WMUN conference hosted by Wheeler in October.
Congratulations to Odysseas and the entire Wheeler MUN on an exceptional year of learning, leadership, and global engagement!
