NDP DELEGATION ENGAGES IN HUMANITARIAN AID DEBATE AT JR. SUMMIT

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December 4, 2025

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Teams examine corruption risks, logistics and coordination in global relief efforts; summit builds on NDP’s first internal middle school conference held this fall. NDP brings home gold, silver and bronze. 

Middle school students from Notre Dame Prep were in Lansing today for the Mid-American Global Education Canadian American Security Councils Jr. Summit, a Model United Nations–style program designed specifically for seventh- and eighth-grade participants.

The summit, organized by Mid-American Model United Nations, introduces younger students to diplomacy, global policy and collaborative problem-solving in a simulated United Nations setting. Teams from Detroit Country Day, Dexter, Fassett Junior High in Ohio, Michigan Islamic Academy and Greenhills also competed. 

This year’s topic focused on strengthening U.N. coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, mirroring General Assembly Topic 72. Students debated how nations and international organizations can better respond to crises, prevent corruption and overcome logistical barriers in emergency aid.

Dr. LeAnne Schmidt, NDP’s head debate and forensics coach and a middle school language arts and U.S. history teacher, said the school’s preparation for the summit began nearly a year ago.

“We did an exploratory activity last winter in conjunction with NDP’s upper school MUN officers, which was well received by students,” Schmidt said. “In fact, they actually asked to do it again right away, at least once a month.”

Their early interest led NDP to host its first internal middle school conference this past fall, modeled on the G7. Schmidt said the collaboration with upper-school mentors expanded participation.

“We enthusiastically partnered with our upper school Model United Nations team,” she said, noting that several new students, including eager sixth graders, joined the program. Schmidt accompanied the delegation in Lansing this week.

For today’s summit, NDP students represented Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, India, Spain, Tanzania and Türkiye. Schmidt said their preparation has already helped them understand the complexities of humanitarian response.

“They have learned about the logistics of humanitarian aid and the challenges of effectively meeting the needs of people affected by disasters and conflicts, avoiding corruption and obstruction,” she said.

Final results from today's Canadian American Security Councils Jr. Summit:

Natalie Esseily - Gold Award
Pranya Beri - Silver Award
Allison Lester - Silver Award
Jack Knapman - Bronze Award
Alex Punches - Bronze Award
Lauren Punches - Bronze Award
Nolan Rod - Bronze Award

Esseily wrote two resolutions, which were passed. One for disaster relief and one for humanitarian aid. Both were awarded "$200 billion" by their delegates.

The next major event for NDP’s middle school MUN participants is scheduled for April 20, 2026, when the school will host a conference based on a G20 model, again with support from upper-school MUN members and officers.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.