High School Students Gather for South Orange County's Largest Model UN Conference

Santa Margarita Catholic High School hosted the 33^rd annual South Orange County Model United Nations Conference (SOCOMUN) on Saturday, September 28. Approximately 1,500 students from 34 high schools, including an international delegation from the Czech Republic were welcomed to campus. SOCOMUN, the largest one-day MUN conference in the world, provided students with an unparalleled opportunity to step into the shoes of global diplomats.

Coordinated by dedicated students Katherine Rackohn '26 and Lida Rahnama '26 the event offered an immersive experience in diplomacy and international relations. SOCOMUN allows high schoolers to simulate the proceedings of the United Nations, fostering skills in research, public speaking, teamwork and leadership.

This year's conference coincided with the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As world leaders gathered to address pressing global challenges, SOCOMUN delegates mirrored the spirit of international cooperation, tackling real-world issues through debate and negotiation.

Participants engaged in discussions on key global topics aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. Committees explored themes such as poverty eradication, hunger relief, gender equality, human rights, peacebuilding, and development. SOCOMUN continues to serve as a platform for students to learn about international diplomacy while shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

SOCOMUN 2024 Attending Schools Include:

Gymnázium Jana Nerudy
Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Gahr High School
St. Mary’s Middle School
JSerra Catholic High School
Rosary Academy
Capistrano Valley
Sage Hill High School
Los Alamitos High School
RSM Intermediate School
Laguna Hills High School
Huntington Beach High School
Mira Costa High School
Tustin High School
Pacific Academy
Brentwood School
Orange County School of Arts
California High School
Aliso Niguel High School
Mater Dei High School
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
OC Club MUN
Marymount High School
Martin Luther King High School
University High School
Edison High School
Laguna Beach High School
El Toro High School
Trabuco Hills High School
San Juan Hills High School
St. John’s Episcopal School