From February 19 to 22, right before the blizzard hit, Upper School students participated in the Harvard Model Congress conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Williams has sent students to this event for over twenty years. This year, 34 students were selected to attend this prestigious conference, which provides a hands-on look at the workings of the United States government.
Each participant is tasked with representing a specific member of Congress. To prepare, students devote significant time outside of school to researching these representatives, aiming to become experts on their political viewpoints and voting patterns. This deep dive enables them to authentically embody their assigned members while debating and voting on bills throughout the conference. For many, the most challenging aspect is advocating for individuals whose ideologies differ from their own—an exercise that offers a unique opportunity to engage with perspectives they might not otherwise consider.
Ethan Perl ’27 shared how representing a member of Congress who is a key figure in the tariff movement challenged him to think beyond his usual talking points. “Having to fight for bills or push for objectives that I personally don’t agree with helped me understand people’s views,” Perl said. “Specifically in the fight for tariffs, I had to present them in a way I personally would disagree with. I had to claim that consumers aren’t as affected as studies show and then back up that statistic with long-term growth projections. Having to prove and argue for these objectives different from my own really helped enrich the environment for me.”
Out of roughly 50 Williams applicants, 34 juniors and seniors were chosen through a selective process. The committee evaluates juniors and seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in the program, strong academic performance, consistent extracurricular involvement, and general standing in their community.
A major lesson that this conference emphasizes is the collaboration of both parties to help pass legislation. “The collaboration of my cabinet made the experience so enjoyable. The experience came with adversity when we fought for bills against the Democratic National Convention,” Perl said. “Having informal and formal debates on real topics helped me understand and really grow my perspective.”
