Fantozzi and Masferrer Lead the Way for Model UN at Lexington
Seniors Paul Fantozzi and Alex Masferrer received Best Delegate and Outstanding Delegate honors respectively at the Lexington High School's Model UN Conference last weekend.
Lexington, Mass.-- Prior to each Model UN Conference, senior Paul Fantozzi eagerly awaits the release of the briefing papers. While the topics vary from conference to conference, there is one constant for Paul – he will participate in the Crisis Committee.
“The Crisis Committee is extremely dynamic,” said Paul, a resident of Newton.
“You are constantly dealing with different issues which give you the opportunity to think of creative solutions.”
Paul earned the Best Delegate award at Lexington High School’s Model UN Conference for his work on the Crisis Committee. In his latest role, he played Jeff Weaver, Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign manager, in a simulation of the presidential election. For the purpose of the committee, the members responded to a hypothetical Sanders democratic nomination for president.
The Crisis Committee represented Sanders’ campaign team and laid the groundwork for a national campaign for president which included identifying key demographics and workshopping ad campaigns. Following the usual nature of this committee, Paul and the other delegates responded to changing circumstances and navigated around new challenges on the fictional campaign trail.
“When it comes to hypotheticals like this, there is a lot of freedom in what you can research. I was an influential voice in many of the actions of the committee,” noted Fantozzi.
Paul’s teammate and classmate, senior Alex Masferrer, also left Lexington with a piece of hardware. Alex’s representation of Bhutan on the UN Security Council garnered him Outstanding Delegate honors.
Unlike the Crisis Committee, the Security Council looks at historical events and debates them in the context in which they arose. For Alex, he researched the movement for independence in East Pakistan (current day Bangladesh) in 1971.
Alex’s committee debated the response to the civil war and genocide in East Pakistan. Alex, as Bhutan’s delegate, led a coalition of nations that decided to recognize Bangladesh’s independence. His stance was driven by the moral obligation he felt to stop the genocide.
“I enjoyed representing a small country on a big issue. It allowed me to make sure everyone had a voice on the issue,” said Alex.
Proud of their performances at this conference, Paul and Alex appreciated the opportunity that they have in Model UN.
“The Crisis Committee is extremely dynamic,” said Paul, a resident of Newton.
“You are constantly dealing with different issues which give you the opportunity to think of creative solutions.”
Paul earned the Best Delegate award at Lexington High School’s Model UN Conference for his work on the Crisis Committee. In his latest role, he played Jeff Weaver, Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign manager, in a simulation of the presidential election. For the purpose of the committee, the members responded to a hypothetical Sanders democratic nomination for president.
The Crisis Committee represented Sanders’ campaign team and laid the groundwork for a national campaign for president which included identifying key demographics and workshopping ad campaigns. Following the usual nature of this committee, Paul and the other delegates responded to changing circumstances and navigated around new challenges on the fictional campaign trail.
“When it comes to hypotheticals like this, there is a lot of freedom in what you can research. I was an influential voice in many of the actions of the committee,” noted Fantozzi.
Paul’s teammate and classmate, senior Alex Masferrer, also left Lexington with a piece of hardware. Alex’s representation of Bhutan on the UN Security Council garnered him Outstanding Delegate honors.
Unlike the Crisis Committee, the Security Council looks at historical events and debates them in the context in which they arose. For Alex, he researched the movement for independence in East Pakistan (current day Bangladesh) in 1971.
Alex’s committee debated the response to the civil war and genocide in East Pakistan. Alex, as Bhutan’s delegate, led a coalition of nations that decided to recognize Bangladesh’s independence. His stance was driven by the moral obligation he felt to stop the genocide.
“I enjoyed representing a small country on a big issue. It allowed me to make sure everyone had a voice on the issue,” said Alex.
Proud of their performances at this conference, Paul and Alex appreciated the opportunity that they have in Model UN.
“I find that debating world issues and getting other people’s point-of-view on things is really fascinating,” said Alex.
“The reason why I do Model UN is that I think having real debates is something that has been lost today. We need to have real debates, where you don’t just try to win the debate, but understand someone else’s side of the story, and actually try to grow from the debate,” added Paul.
Over the last few years, Paul and Alex have amassed more than 30 Best or Outstanding Delegate awards. They have led CM’s Model UN efforts at high schools and universities throughout New England.
"Alex and Paul are always well-prepared, articulate, and confident,” said Mr. Vincent Bradley, Model UN’s faculty moderator.
“I'm glad to see these two seniors achieve some recognition; they have meant so much to our program throughout their careers."
CM’s Model UN program will participate at BC High’s conference early next month before concluding its season with Boston College’s EagleMUNC in late March.
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