Tustin High School is sponsoring its 19th annual Model United Nations (MUN) Conference on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19 and 20. Approximately 15 special guest students and teachers from the Czech Republic will be in attendance this year.

About 1,500 students from high schools throughout the state are expected to participate in the event, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tustin High seniors and MUN Secretaries General Sravya Chilukuri and Parth Jani are coordinating the event with the help of fellow student leaders.

Through debate and collaboration, MUN students will be discussing topics ranging from Pakistan after the death of Osama bin Laden to historic crisis simulations of the American Civil War and Bay of Pigs Invasion.

“This annual student-run conference serves as a vital fundraiser for the Model United Nations program and is the largest MUN conference held west of the Mississippi,” said Linda Levine, Tustin High MUN Director.

Individual and group awards will be presented to students in several categories, including Commendation, Outstanding Delegates and Best Delegate awards, along with large and small school delegation awards.

MUN is an academic elective program that offers an opportunity for students to simulate the activities of the United Nations organization. Students learn skills in researching, writing, negotiating, speaking, and debating.

The program was started at Tustin High in 1991 as an extracurricular activity and has evolved into a four-year curriculum with over 300 participating students, ranging from top honors to special needs students. Students compete at local, state, national and international levels.

“Over the years, Tustin High’s MUN team has ranked among the strongest in the nation and we plan to continue our standard of excellence,” Levine said.

The team will be competing at the Columbia University MUN Conference in January and taking an international trip to England and Ireland for a conference in February.

For more information about the program, contact Tustin High MUN advisor David Waldram at (714) 730-7570.