For the past two months, the whole school has been buzzing with preparations for MUN La Floresta: Instagram posts, constant announcements, and a big sign advertising the event right outside the cafeteria. In a way, it seems as though we have all participated, like it has been a collective school achievement; and so, it has been, but really, what do our readers know about the origins of the model? 

MUN (Model United Nations) La Floresta debuted only last year, as an initiative from the then-eleventh graders Miranda Escobar, Teresa Cardenal, Valeria López and Valentina Guzmán (PROM 2026). These students were inspired by other models in the country and decided to create their very own, starting from scratch with budgeting, stationary supplies, food, waters, diplomas and awards, committee ideas, delegate handbooks, and so much more. Like Chief of Protocol, Teresa Cardenal, said about starting the process, “It was a little bit hard and intimidating to figure it out at first, because there were so many things to take care of without any reference”, and every moment of that very first model showed the love and effort they put in it. Now, two weeks after the second MUN LF took place, the new organizers are very proud and happy to have been able to observe the fruits of their labor. A few changes were made, from adding an extra day for the much-coveted cocktail to including an additional delegate to each committee, but the essence stayed the same: made with dedication, as an act of love for a community that has given us so much.  

Our school’s Debate Club plays a huge role in preparing our delegation for such events, and providing future organizers with the experience needed to manage MUN La Floresta. Currently boasting over 25 members from 8th to 12th grade, almost all active members were able to participate in the model this year. As a new tradition, the event is organized by the 11th graders, meaning that next year it’s up to our PROM 2028 members to continue bettering the model even more. Last year it was two days, this one was three days, who knows what will come next? Each model means more learning, and we are already getting both positive and negative reviews stating what improved and what needs to be improved. Good thing, we have our debate team girls to make MUN La Floresta 2027 even better!  

This year, 100 delegates from La Floresta, Lamatepec, Villanueva, Escuela Alemana, Liceo Frances, and Colegio Garcia Flamenco (our Institutional Prize winners!) joined the MUN Staff at our school on April 10th, 11th, and 12th for 3 days full of networking and problem solving. That was 10 delegates added compared to last year, with two or three extra seats in each committee. The ideas for our six committees were all hatched inside classrooms in our work lunches or at our after-school meetings. Danna Portillo, one of our MUN council members also president of Exodus Interstellar committee, devised her very own idea since early December; Mia Luna, our Crisis Chief, had it very clear she wanted a committee on Nicolas Maduro’s abduction; Jennifer Quezada, this year’s model Secretary General, had an idea on the League of Nations in 1935; and I myself, Sub- Secretary General, designed the other three committees: European Central Bank, OAS Cybersecurity Council and (my personal favorite) Global Economic Crisis Committee. When it came to organizing details during the days of the event, Ana Camila Pereira, our General Coordinator, was crucial. For smooth-sailing sessions, Chief of Protocol Lucia Saca was a key ingredient. And finally, the one to whom we owe the amazing Instagram page and media coverage, Ana Belen Cruz, Social Media Manager. 

The MUN La Floresta team. From left to right: Ana Camila Pereira, Jennifer Quezada, Mia Luna, María Renée Colón, Ana Belen Cruz, Lucia Saca, Danna Portillo- Courtesy of Colegio La Floresta 

When it came to our Committee Chair Members, we decided to have only the best of the best: MUN ESEN association sent 23 of their most outstanding members to our event, and we hand-picked every one of our volunteers to ensure a most gratifying and enjoyable experience for all our delegates. Of all members, two Presidents, four Vice Presidents, three Moderators, and all six Judges were from ESEN University. Our other members, meanwhile, came from Key Institute, Universidad Centroamericana Jose Simeón Cañas (UCA), Colegio Lamatepec, and our own Colegio La Floresta! These roles are exceedingly important for the logistics of the event, as the Chairs ensure all sessions are carried out according to protocol, rules are imposed, and discussions are moderated fairly. 

MUN La Floresta Council members with ESEN Chair volunteers: (left to right) Alejandro Barrera, Mauro Ponce, Fernando Grijalva, Monica Linares, María Reneé Colón, Eileen Merino, Jennifer Quezada, Diego Benavides. 

Now let’s talk about the real backbone of the model, in no particular order. First our staff, which was made up of almost the entire 11th grade and included pages, coffee break helpers, crisis writers and Canva-makers, and welcoming and registration helpers. Without their valuable help during critical moments, many mistakes would have been made. Second, our amazing High school teachers were also a big support when it came to organization and timing, since we often needed the reminders to comply with schedule and not fall behind. Also, our fellow organizers and teachers Mrs. Laura de Calderón, Miss Glenda Alfaro, and Mrs. Rossy de Martínez, who kept us grounded during those months of planning while also allowing us to dream and pursue many ideas. And finally, our own parents. When it came to those last-minute real-world problems and needs, getting tongs for the cocktail, bringing late flowers for décor, or a cooler for the drinks, our parents were the real superheroes who saved the day. This model didn’t just “happen”: it was the fruit of much behind-the-scenes work and people who always had our back.