Wilton High School’s Model Congress struck gold yet again at Yale University, when eight of Wilton’s students who participated in Yale’s 2018 Model Congress (Nov. 29-Dec. 2) were recognized with honors.
This year’s collegiate conference hosted over 750 students from public and private high schools across the Northeast. Model Congress provides students the opportunity to simulate the U.S. Congress’s legislative process, using parliamentary procedure and civic awareness to draft mock solutions for the nation’s issues. The simulation/club also allows its members to apply what they have learned in their academic classes.
Wilton Model Congress students prepare by attending weekly meetings at the high schools, debating student-written bills and fundraising locally. Under the guidance of WHS advisor Kenneth Dunaj, students discuss topics ranging from the mental healthcare system to the U.S.-Mexico border crisis.
Eight of the 16 Wilton students who attended this year’s Yale event were recognized for their distinguished performances in committee sessions. The Best Legislation Award was given to students with the best written bills in their committee; Honorable Mention recognized the top runners-up, and the Best Delegate Award was given to the best performing delegate in each committee.
The Wilton High School Model Congress has also co-sponsored candidate forums and debates this past fall with the Wilton League of Women Voters.
Best Delegate Awards
Vignesh Subramanian, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Elizabeth Yoon, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Honorable Mention Awards
Christian Anastos, Senate Judiciary Committee
Purab Angreji, Senate Commerce and Transport Committee
Sadie Kinnersley, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Rishabh Raniwala, House Foreign Affairs Committee
Best Legislation Awards
Neil Satsangi, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Tony Wilcox, Senate Ethics Committee
article contributed by Vignesh Subramanian, WHS ’20