Sofia Orellana is a junior at Glendale High School, and the president of the Model United Nations Club. Sofia is our GHS cheer team co-captain and the ASB Director of Rallies. She is also a member of many clubs, like the Make-A-Wish Club, the Dynamiter Do-Gooders Club, the Best Buddies Club, and the California Scholarship Federation.
Some of Sofia’s hobbies outside of school included reading, exercising (like running and hiking), and baking. Along with all her involvement at school, Sofia is very active in her community. She’s a part of the California Decoy Program, an ambassador for her church, and she’s a part of the Glendale YMCA Youth and Government program.
The goal of the Model UN Club is to participate in a conference, where they will interact with students from other schools in a mock version of the United Nations. Students should join this club if they are interested in global affairs and may want to work in international or local leadership one day.
What are your responsibilities in the club?
I have to make sure that everybody is on task, and they’re doing their papers. Everyone [should be] getting ready for conferences and just preparing for whatever needs to be done. They also need to look for fundraisers, because conferences are pretty expensive.
How did you first get involved in this club?
I got involved in its freshman year. The last president was Francine [Ghazarian]. I was so interested in it. I liked how we debated using political stuff and representing countries. Everyone’s able to be the country they want and just talk about what’s going on in that country and try to make changes.
Francine was a senior and she had to leave, so she made me president. This is my third year being a part of the club and this is my second year being the president.
What happens during your club meetings?
We talk about what topics we want to write about and then we have practice conferences. And we just prepare ourselves for the next level of going to an actual conference.
What kinds of community service and activities do you do?
Right now, I’m looking into doing some hygiene kits and giving [them] to people in need. We’re also looking into different organizations to help out.
What are some of the challenges that you or your club members have faced?
I think the most difficult thing is that not a lot of people are interested in it. And competitions are really expensive, so that’s why we’re trying to fundraise for conferences.
What is your favorite part of being the president of this club?
I think it’s just the fact of how Model UN is run. I just really like it, and being in charge is a plus. And it’s just fun.
How will this club benefit other GHS students, and why should they join?
The club benefits other students who want to go and have a political career, like lawyers, and international relations. It benefits you because you speak a lot, you practice your debate skills [and] research skills, and you learn a lot about the world.
If you’d like to join our Model United Nations Club, please email their advisor, Mr. Whithorne, at [email protected]!
