On Thursday, November 20, Spence’s Model Congress Delegation traveled to Washington, DC, to attend the annual, four-day Princeton Model Congress (PMC) Conference, attended by students from across the nation. This year’s conference had more than 900 participants—and the wide variety of students allowed for a rich and diverse debate.

Model Congress, an academic extracurricular activity greatly enjoyed by its Spence members, is a form of debate in which students write mock Congressional bills and debate legislation written by peers. During the debate students rise in favor or against bills and explain their stances. Moreover, students are able to propose amendments to the bills. Students debate a wide range of national issues that have an impact on American citizens on a daily basis.

At Model Congress conferences students are divided into Congressional committees such as the Armed Services Committee, the International Relations Committee, the Banking and Finance Committee and the Science and Technology Committee, each comprised of 20 students. The 20-member Spence delegation has debated topics ranging from lifting the embargo on Cuba and increasing government funding of Stem Cell research to reforming the education system and decriminalizing drugs.

The best delegate or debater in a committee is awarded a gavel as a symbol of her achievement. Honorable mentions are granted to the second and third best debaters in each committee.

After four days of rigorous debate in November, Spence’s delegates were awarded seven gavels and seven honorable mentions with a total of 14 awards shared among 10 students; four students received two awards. The delegates’ notable performance over the course of the conference also garnered the Spence team the “Best Small Delegation” award. We are incredibly proud of the wonderful performance and success Spence’s delegation achieved at the conference. The delegation plans on attending five more conferences within the Interschool community in New York and will host its own conference in April 2015.

We look forward to more success and are glad to have kicked of the year on such a great note!