Students Stand Out at Harvard Model Congress

Harvard Model Congress is the world's largest congressional simulation conference and is run entirely by Harvard undergraduate students. Founded in 1986, the conference allows students to assume the role of real-life congressmen, senators and members of government to expand their perspectives and experience the issues at hand in a new way. 

This year 22 Marian students traveled to Boston from Feb. 19-21, to participate in Harvard Model Congress, along with Marian teachers Jillian Roger, Susie Sisson and Katy Salzman. Throughout the conference, Marian students collaborated with other students from all over the country to tackle a wide array of complex issues. They wrote bills, debated legislation, managed crises, held press conferences, and wrote news stories.

Four Marian students received financial aid scholarships from HMC to help offset the cost of the conference. On Friday, all scholarship recipients were invited to an on-campus lecture by Dr. Jeff Miron, an economist at Harvard. Approximately 80 students attended the lecture and during the Q&A session, about 10 high school students asked questions. Three of those students were Marian girls! 

At the end of the conference, the best student delegates are recognized. Two Marian students were recognized this year. Annie Stessman ‘25 received the Best Delegate Award for the FBI Committee and Abby McGuire ‘25 received Honorable Mention for the Media. 

Connecting with Boston Alumnae

While attending Harvard Model Congress, the teachers and students also had the opportunity to connect with area alumnae. 

Melina Piperis '22 is a junior at Boston College majoring in classics and history. She just returned from a semester in Athens and recently released a few original songs.

Maeve Nelson '15 graduated from Nebraska with a BFA in graphic design and a minor in painting. She works as a freelance graphic designer and artist. You can see her work at maevenelsondesigns.com

Becky Heller Hannaford '97 is an aerospace engineer for Northrop Grumman who has worked for NASA and the Japanese Space Agency. She graduated from Iowa State (aerospace engineering) and Minnesota (mechanical engineering). Becky is married and has three children.