Help Get Mariana to NYC for the MMUN

Have you ever gotten that itch and felt a burning desire and passion for finding a cause that will not only be challenging and rewarding, but that also offered a world stage for giving back to your fellow man, in your own little way, becoming a global citizen, helping to build a better tomorrow and fighting for the rights of all human kind? Hi, my name is Mariana Ortiz Isaacs, and for me, that calling came into my life like a lightening bolt with the Montessori Model United Nations.

What is the MMUN you may ask? 

It is a powerful experience for young Montessori students to come together to listen, negotiate, collaborate and then offer solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems. The program is an important step toward achieving their vision of educating for world peace.

So, what is their mission?

Their goal is to inspire youth.  MMUN students formulate, present, debate, and revise positions on current issues that are affecting people of the world.  By assuming the perspectives of a citizen of their selected countries, MMUN students not only develop an understanding of the needs and rights of others, but also learn the respect the cultures, the political views, and the belief system of others.

Taking on their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their UN committees will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the rights of the child, child labor, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization.

Being part of MMUN means an opportunity for discovery and curiosity, building global friendships and working together with others. The once in a lifetime chance to ignite my curiosity about world issues and discover and possibly solve the problems that are affecting nations of the world today and discover what I can and should do as global citizen on my own and with others. The opportunity to build long-lasting friendships with VSY delegates, but also delegates from around the world that I might not ordinarily have the chance to meet, that are also inspired to make a difference in our world. The excitement of rolling up my sleeves to be creative and come up with new, fresh and better ways to tackle the biggest world issues and fight for the rights of others. 

While I and the other MMUN delegates are in NYC at the United Nations, we will actually have the chance to present a selected position paper project benefiting the selected United Nations country in the General Assembly! 

Last year, even before the idea of becoming part of the MMUN came into view, I tried to give back to the program and help fund trips for other chosen student delegates at VSY to go to this trip to NYC, raising money at the first annual Talent Showcase where I sang a rendition of the timeless holiday classic, Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer. Click on the link below to see a short video of me rehersing last year for the show. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4acU98v7j27R1ppSjA5YU1xa2c/view?usp=sharing

Now that I have been thankfully selected to represent our great school as a delegate member at the UN, you can be sure that I am already practicing and preparing for my participation and performance for this years Talent Showcase in November as well as volunteering for the many opportunities in the coming year to raise needed funds to support this great program and allow more of us to have the chance to have our hearts and voices heard!

The reasons are clear and the issues are real. Whether it is the possibility of igniting that spark for real lasting change in the world, stretching the reaches of my curiosity, fellowship and collaboration with other delegates, learning and improving the type of skills that will serve me and others for many years to come to continuing to practice those that I have been fortunate to demonstrate both here and abroad, I am up to the challenge and ready to meet the obligations of a global citizen with open eyes, open mind, an enlarged heart and a friendly smile.

Thank you so much for taking the time and your treasure to donate as generously as you can and help make these dreams that we all share of a better tomorrow, a possibility!