Rooms flooded with debate and the expression of different perspectives to foster diplomacy and community are at the heart of the University of South Carolina's Model UN club's mission as it works to host its first high school conference next semester.
The three-day conference will be held at USC in February 2026, hosting high schools around the state to compete in a series of debates. Students will engage in a variety of topics from international politics to creative outlets to gain skills in understanding new perspectives.
Second-year political science and history student Paityn Tumblin serves as the club's head of marketing. Tumblin said she hopes this outreach to high schools benefits both the students attending as well as USC.
"Even though it may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, to the people that did it in high school and do care, it is very important," Tumblin said. "Hosting the high school conference is going to be a big deal and hopefully draw at least that small niche group of kids to our organization at USC.”
Established in the spring of 2024, Carolina Model UN has grown from less than 15 members to 45. While Tumblin said competing was challenging at first, the club went on to earn five awards in their most recent conference at UNC Chapel Hill. Tumblin said the club's growth is an opportunity to expand their outreach and start creating full circle moments for members.
“Our (executives) got involved in high school, and it was something that meant a lot to all of us," Tumblin said. "We wanted to be able to continue that for other students."
According to Tumblin, with new members continuing to join, USC's Model UN club is now able to take its next steps to expand its outreach and improve its reputation with the support of its partner organization, the Walker Institute of International and Area Studies.
The high school conference symbolizes this growth, according to Brooke Cole, a second-year international business student and Vice President of External Affairs for Carolina Model UN.
“We’re always trying to increase participation and increase the level in which we can provide for students,” Cole said. “I think fostering new opportunities is the main thing we can do with it while continuing that forum for diplomacy."
Third-year international business and finance student Rafael Freitas serves as the vice president of internal affairs for Model UN. Freitas said he believes the conference will foster personal growth for students in a space where they can gain skills without fear of being judged for mistakes. While diving into research to best represent their country in debate, Freitas said Model UN teaches students fundamental lessons about international relations and politics.
"It’s a really beneficial club that anyone can basically come to learn the rules and learn more about the world," Freitas said.
Hosting this conference is not only a learning opportunity for the high schoolers attending, but also for Model UN club members at USC, Tumblin said.
"We have a lot of members who haven’t chaired before and don’t really understand that process,” Tumblin said. “Actually competing, you have to be able to understand why the chairs are doing what they’re doing. I think actually running a conference is going to help our delegates compete better in the future."
Freitas said the people in the club influenced him to step into his leadership role and give back to younger students. An international student reached out to Freitas before coming to USC expressing interest in Model UN. As a Brazilian international student himself, Freitas said he then realized the impact the growing club was creating.
“The impact that we are having on campus really goes beyond just the people at USC," Freitas said.
The club anticipates to make hosting high school competitions an annual tradition, Tumblin said. She also said she hopes the club will host college level conferences one day.
"Eventually, probably past my time, but somewhere down the road, I hope that the school hosts a college conference as well," Tumblin said. "That requires a lot more planning, and a lot more goes into that, but I do hope that it’s something that if the organization grows, USC is able to do.”
Freitas said he feels this is only the beginning of Model UN's impact on campus and the surrounding community.
"I think we have a solid base to keep moving forward," Freitas said. "So, we just have to continue doing so and continue the efforts to keep building something big."