Dear Delegates and Faculty Advisors,
On behalf of our entire conference staff, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to Harvard Model Congress 2012! This year’s conference will take place from Thursday, February 23 to Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Sheraton in downtown Boston. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and Harvard Model Congress, the nation’s leading government simulation program.
As the Co-Presidents of HMC 2012, we, Jyoti Jasrasaria and Shohan Shetty, are looking forward to sharing our extensive Harvard Model Congress experience, passion, and dedication with you over the coming year. Jyoti is a senior in Cabot House studying History and Literature with a secondary in Economics. Having served as a delegate from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, she has also served as a committee chair and most recently as President of the Senate. The 2012 Boston conference will be her fifth Boston conference and her eighth conference overall. Shohan is a senior in Quincy House studying Government with a secondary in Economics. He participated in Harvard Model Congress as a delegate from the Benjamin School, and has served as a committee chair as well as the Speaker of the House in 2011. February’s conference will be Shohan’s sixth Boston conference and eleventh HMC conference.
Entering its 27th year, Harvard Model Congress offers a unique opportunity to educate thousands of students about the most crucial domestic and international issues facing our nation. We value Harvard Model Congress as an experience that allows students to take on various roles and reach consensus while gaining public speaking skills and an appreciation for the political process. Whether serving in a courtroom, a congressional committee, or even the White House, delegates have a remarkable opportunity to consider positions different than their own, work together to draw unique conclusions, and present their ideas with loud and confident voices that will serve them for years to come.
Facilitating debate in a wide variety of committees, our committed and enthusiastic staff members dedicate their time to providing the best experience for our delegates and their faculty advisors. We are honored that our devoted and talented Harvard peers have chosen to educate high school students with excellence. As an organization that is completely run by Harvard students, we pride ourselves on the professionalism and energy demonstrated by all our members, whether they are preparing briefing topics for their delegates, negotiating hotel contracts, or setting the budget for the entire organization.
Recognized as a 501-©(3) nonprofit since 2006, we work hard to fulfill our mission of educating high school students outside their classrooms in meaningful ways. We are happy to volunteer our time and effort to provide our delegates with an experience that will give them the tools to be active citizens in their own communities. Finally, we proudly continue our scholarship program. Last year we awarded more than $7,500 in scholarships, and we hope to expand these even more in years to come so that more students can benefit from our conference.
We are honored to continue HMC’s important mission and to work with such an engaged community, and we hope that you will be able to join us this coming February! Please explore our website to learn more about Harvard Model Congress and how to register. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us via our online contact form. Again, we are delighted to welcome you to HMC 2012, and we look forward to having the opportunity to work with you!
Best,
Co-President
Co-President