Eighteen Première and Terminale students traveled to Boston from February 21-24 to participate in the 28th Harvard Model Congress with their history teachers, Rachelle Friedman and Arthur Plaza. This program, run entirely by Harvard students, requires students to assume the roles of government leaders with 1300 students in attendance this year.
Our students, after months of preparation, became senators, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and the German representative to the G-20. Some students wrote bills, debated them, and then voted them into law. Others argued and decided court cases. All discussed issues of national and international significance.
Students were treated to a morning of classes at Harvard University, where two anciens élèves Onyeka Nnameka (’12) and Daniela Suarez-Rebling (’12) led them on a campus tour. Première student Chloé B. was recognized by Harvard Model Congress with an award for her excellent participation. Each student found the weekend a rewarding, exhilarating and educational experience.
Première Anne-Julie R. recalled, “I was assigned a Democratic Senator from Indiana, Joe Donnelly. For 4 days I was addressed as him and argued from his point of view while serving on the Select Intelligence Committee. We dealt with issues such as the Syrian civil war and the Mexican drug war. Meeting students who had come to Boston from all over the US (some even from abroad) was interesting. Students hotly argued in favor of their representatives’ points of view, but remained very agreeable and friendly. The Harvard students were engaging and entertaining, not hesitating to joke in order to break the awkwardness of us all not knowing each other. I not only learned so many things about Congress and American politics, but also had a lot of fun. I am grateful that I was able to participate in such an incredible opportunity, and it will remain one of the most memorable moments of my time at the Lycée.”
Another Première student Chloé B., who won an award for her excellent participation (see picture) shared, “I thought HMC was a fantastic experience that completely exceeded my expectations. I did not expect the students to be so ‘intense’ and passionate about politics. I mostly enjoyed the committee sessions because we were in smaller groups and had some great topics to discuss. I also really liked our dinners; it was nice to all come together and hear what others had been debating. Overall, it was an extremely exciting experience that taught me a lot about congress and the parliamentary procedures.”
“I was in the Judiciary committee with one other student from the Lycée,” notes Première student Romain F. “We had to debate various matters in accord with our representative’s ideas. HMC helps you develop many skills. Ease with expressing ideas out loud and giving speeches are important skills to take part in the debate. This year we had a special guest, Mr. L’Hotellier came over for the weekend to see us. Although HMC is very challenging, anybody who is interested in American politics, debating and passing bills, would have fun at Harvard Model Congress.”
HMC is open to students in Première and Terminale each year. The moderators will welcome newcomers and interested students in the fall.
Arthur Plaza & Rachelle Friedman, History and Geography Teachers
Lycée students during a Harvard Model Congress session.
Harvard Model Congress is a simulation of the congressional session in Washington. About 1300 students from high schools from all over the US meet up in Boston to discuss federal matters. The meeting is spread over four days of intense work. HMC is organized every year by Harvard undergraduates. Each high school student is assigned a role. They can either be part of the Senate, Congress or special programs such as the G20.
Easiness with expressing ideas out loud and elaborating speeches are important skills
This year at the Lycée, 17 students from Première and Terminale were carefully chosen by Dr. Plaza and Mrs. Friedman. We had a semester of preparation with a weekly meeting. During the preparation meetings we studied the essential elements of American law, such as the Constitution and the process of creating a bill. During HMC, we were organized into committees. I was in the Judiciary Committee with one other student from the Lycée. We had to debate on various topics, following our representative’s ideas. HMC helps you develop many skills.
Easiness with expressing ideas out loud and elaborating speeches are important skills to take part in the debate. This year we had a special guest, Mr. L’Hotellier came over for the weekend to see us. All the HMC students were also offered a tour of the Harvard campus. Although HMC is very challenging, anybody who is interested in american politics, debating and passing bills, would have fun at Harvard Model Congress.
Romain F. 1°ES2
I have participated in Harvard Model Congress twice, and each time I am amazed by how much I am able to learn in such short time. It has helped me to develop a much greater understanding of the American government’s functions and processes, as well as critical thinking skills. Most importantly, I found that it teaches individuals how to develop their own personal arguments, and then how to apply them within a group setting. This skill is especially important because I believe that it mimics real-life situations that we will all eventually face in any career field we choose to enter.
A typical day at Harvard Model Congress starts with a committee conference, where both Republicans and Democrats create, present, and discuss partisan and bipartisan bills related to their committee’s concerns. Each day, we discuss one briefing that we had reviewed and prepared prior to the trip. This year, I was on the Agriculture Committee, where we discussed International Food Aid, Reforming the Farm Bill, and the Tobacco Industry. During this discussion time, what stood out to me most was the authenticity with which government functions are represented.
For me, the greatest challenge was having to think on my feet at all times.
All participants, including the Harvard students who supervise us, emphasize political jargon and appropriate conduct at all times during active sessions. I don’t think that I will ever forget having to call a “motion to previous question,” in order to vote on a bill, or even a “point of personal privilege” for that matter. For me, the greatest challenge was having to think on my feet at all times.
When someone is presenting a speech at the podium and anticipates a question to be asked by a fellow congressman or senator, there is no time for contemplation or hesitation. And, as someone who consistently analyzes situations at length, it was a difficult transition. Once I became aware of this discomfort, I realized that conviction in tone is essential when public speaking. While informational accuracy is obviously vital, I have learned that vocal persuasion is just as important of a tool.
By the first day, it is clear that many of the students from other schools are extremely well prepared for the conference.
By the first day, it is clear that many of the students from other schools are extremely well prepared for the conference. So, there is an obvious confidence with which they present themselves. And with that, it also becomes evident that some students are more competitive than others, but they really push you to get involved in the process. Although I have never had any intention to pursue a career in politics, I have thoroughly enjoyed my two times at Harvard Model Congress. I have appreciated the knowledge that it has provided me with concerning the American government because I know that it is something that I will always remember and use.
In terms of the people that I will meet in my future, or the subjects that I will study in college, I know that I will be proud to say that I have forever grasped the fundamentals of the American Congress. Furthermore, I believe that Harvard Model Congress is a great way to meet other interesting and motivated high school students. In the span of four days, it is quite incredible how you can meet one person from The Dalton School to another from the state of Nebraska, and they all have equally impressive qualities and aspirations. Overall, I would honestly recommend HMC to all future 1eres and Terminales because it’s an experience that has eternally changed my rather naïve perception of politics and the government, all while still being fun!
Chloe L. Tle
About the Author :
Arthur Plaza holds a Ph.D in History and French Studies from New York University. He also studied at Sciences-Po and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research in France in 2004-2005. Part of his research was published in the collective volume entitled “Politiques de la laïcité au XXe siècle” (PUF, 2007). In addition, he has been an editorial assistant at the scholarly journal, French Politics, Culture & Society.