On February 20, Upper School students traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, for the Harvard Model Congress conference, a long-standing Williams tradition with over 20 years of participation. Thirty-two students were selected to attend this prestigious event, which simulates the workings of the United States government.
Each selected student is tasked with representing a congressperson, with the primary goal of discussing, debating, and voting on bills within their area of expertise. A unique aspect of the conference is that students often represent individuals whose political views differ from their own, offering them the opportunity to engage with perspectives they might not otherwise consider.
Julia Cote ’25 shared how her discussions led to bipartisan conversations, noting, “We talked about the death penalty and southern immigration, which are very relevant today. It was really interesting to see both Democrats and Republicans working to meet in the middle and pass bills to benefit the public.”
Out of roughly 50 applicants, 32 were chosen through a selective process. History teacher and faculty advisor Liam Tresnan explained the selection process, emphasizing the challenge of selecting from a diverse group of students with varied interests. “We typically prioritize our older students, who have fewer opportunities to attend, but we also consider the holistic view of the student: academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and standing in our community.”
In addition to serving as congresspeople, Harvard Model Congress also offers roles in media relations, another vital aspect of the U.S. government. This year, Zara Asim ’26 was selected for the Media Committee, which was responsible for gathering information from different committees and writing news articles to be published on the HMC website.
With Williams having such a diverse and global community, understanding the inner workings of the U.S. government not only strengthens students’ civic skills but also fosters collaboration toward common goals. “One of my favorite things as a chaperone is popping into the sessions and watching our students work with, debate, and learn from other students from all over the world,” Tresnan shared.
Conference photos courtesy of Zara Asim ’26.
