Mock bills, debates, committees, press conferences - a model congress scenario may sound fun to people interested in history, politics and government, but it’s work … a lot of work. Grueling. Like a sport, in order to be successful a person needs to be prepared and on their game.

Four Wilbraham & Monson Academy students were on their game at the 38^th annual Harvard Model Congress, returning to campus with awards. The event, held in Boston Feb. 22-25, drew 1,600 students from more than 20 states.

“The WMA Model Congress team had an outstanding effort at the Harvard Model Congress conference,” said Dr. Anthony Kandel, who serves as WMA’s faculty advisor. “Team members worked hard to prepare, involved themselves in the proceedings with gusto, learned a tremendous amount, made many new friends and had a lot of fun.”

Ryan Cooley ’26 showed his political prowess, winning a rare Best Delegate Award. Sally Geoghegan ’24, Ha Anh Nguyen ’25 and Rose Marie Sadlak ’25 earned honorable mentions.

“I was not surprised at all that Ryan won such a prestigious award, despite his being just a sophomore,” Dr. Kandel praised. “Ryan has a tremendous work ethic, great public speaking skills, a razor-sharp mind, a penchant for politics and is a true consensus builder. I am proud of what he has accomplished, and am very pleased that he will be a co-President of Model Congress next year.

“Model Congress is a great winter activity for anyone interested in politics and government, which should be everybody! It combines the development of key skills, a chance to learn about how our legislative process works and the opportunity to meet other interesting people.”

Notes on the award winners

Ryan

Committee: Historical Committee (with a focus on Winston Churchill's World War II war cabinet) 
Representative: Walter Elliot, the Minister of Health in the Cabinet. 

Comment: “My committee worked together to pass resolutions, respond to ‘news updates’ of the war and reshape historical events, all while portraying different characters. My character, Walter Elliot, was the Minister of Health, and I worked on increasing the wartime budget, funding hospitals, improving the healthcare system and protecting national security. It was an honor to win the award, and the entire conference was an amazing experience.” 

Sally

Committee: Historical Committee

Representative: Ernest Bevin 

Comment: “I could not have asked for a better final year of Model Congress. I have been involved in the program for all four years at WMA, and I have seen so much growth and enthusiasm from everyone this year. As always, everyone at the conference was so kind and intelligent. I am sad to leave Model Congress, but I know the program is in good hands and I am excited to hear about the years to come.”

Ha Anh

Committee: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Representative: Agent Nguyen
Comment: “For this year's Model Congress, I joined the special committee FBI, which changed my whole view on the FBI and how it functions. The thrill of being in this committee is that I will always have to be on my feet and constantly thinking of new theories, connecting dots to solve a crime case. It's really exciting when I find my theories on the right track, which helps everyone to get one step closer to solving the case. Overall, this year's special committee allowed me to connect with others to solve the case while still having independent theories, which is how WMA prepares me to work in the community.” 

Rose Marie

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

Representative: Senator Jacky Rosen

Comment: “I was honored to win the award, and I was glad that the work the others and I did paid off. I enjoyed meeting so many unique people from many different places at this event. Even though we did our conferences and the work, the people there made this event about having fun and learning along the way, too. It was an experience that made it more than just the conference.”