A small delegation from Calhoun High School’s Model United Nations Club traveled to Switzerland last November to compete at the IMZMUN Conference hosted by the Institut Montana Zugerberg in Zug, Switzerland.  

The students were escorted by faculty advisor Sean Formato. 

This marked a historic milestone for the program, as the group became the first-ever North American delegation accepted to compete at the prestigious international conference. The conference theme, “Human Rights in the Digital Age – Ensuring Equity and Privacy,” challenged students to engage in complex, global discussions on technology, ethics, and policy. 

The delegation included seniors Nina Caiazzo, Vincent Fuggio, Ryan Karis, Thomas Rossi, Richard Powers-Sanders, Mark Oladipo, Caroline Jacoby, Samantha Jácome, and Liam Risolo, along with junior Rylie Sena. Throughout the conference, students impressed delegations from across Europe and Asia with their finely honed debate skills, thoughtful diplomacy, and deep understanding of the conference theme. 

In addition to their strong overall performance, seniors Ryan Karis and Vincent Fuggio were each awarded Honorable Mention for Most Outstanding Delegate, a rare and highly competitive honor that reflects their exceptional preparation, dedication, and leadership. 

Beyond the conference, the students had the opportunity to expand their cultural and global perspectives through travel to Lucerne and Zurich, as well as a visit to Jungfraujoch, a nearly 12,000-foot peak in the Bernese Alps. 

“This experience was an extraordinary opportunity for our students to represent our district on a global stage,” said Sean Formato, faculty advisor to the Model UN Club. “They demonstrated not only academic excellence, but also maturity, cultural awareness, and a genuine commitment to global citizenship.”