Outstanding Delegate, Legislative Experience at Harvard Model Congress

Along with almost 1,500 peers from schools all over the U.S., Groton’s students took on the roles of specific Congressional representatives and senators and interacted with their “fellow lawmakers” on committees that simulate those that comprise the Senate and the House of Representatives.

For example, Jarvis Bereday ’17 portrayed Senator David Vitter (R-LA) on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Nicole Heberling ’21 portrayed Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Prior to attending the conference, the students conducted extensive research on both the individuals they portrayed and the issues that were discussed by their committees. Sophie Park ’19 was on a special committee, the media committee, and her superb reporting on the conference earned her official recognition as an outstanding delegate at the closing ceremonies.

The Groton School students noted that, unlike in the real Congress, many bills, including one written by Jake Kissell ’19, passed through both the conference’s full House and full Senate meetings to become law.

The conference was a terrific learning experience for our students—and provided reason to be optimistic about the future for the United States. Dowey Tran ’17, who portrayed Representative Jim Bridentstine (R-OK), said afterward, “The conference gave me the opportunity to interact with my peers from all over the country and incredible insight into future career possibilities and a stronger connection to my country’s foundation.”—Tommy Lamont, Model Congress Advisor, History Department Head