Salem Witch Trials were the Focus of April's CDS Model UN Conference

Misha Svystonyuk ‘25, who played Paul Rhodes in the Witching Hour Advanced Crisis Committee
The Country Day School’s Model UN conference (CDSMUN) took place last month and was centred on the Salem Witch Trials, which took place from 1692 to 1693 in Salem, Massachusetts. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft at these trials, and 20 were executed for supposedly being a witch, while five others died while in custody. With trials and accusations, this conference was definitely something to be remembered.
My role in the Salem Witch Trial Conference was as a struggling married farmer, who just barely manages to get enough food to stop the town from entering a famine. During the conference, his wife, who is unable to have children, was accused of being a witch by the secret mistress that he is having an affair with. These events parallelled real-life situations and motivations within the Salem community. With a character filled with so many secrets and issues, one might assume that he was a witch, as somehow his wife became pregnant with two children out of thin air.
 
My favourite parts of the conference were the discussions and evidence-collecting to successfully prove who was the witch, as it required substantial use of logic and thinking to find out who the mystery witch was. Also, the rush of joy and relief after discovering the witch was also a memorable part of the conference, as it made all of the stress and investigation worth it.
 
Personally, I love Model UN due to its diplomacy, as it enables critical thinking to resolve an issue. The teamwork involved with Model UN is also a reason why I enjoy Model UN, as it gives a sense of community to solve conflicts from around the world. Overall, my favourite part of Model UN is its diplomatic atmosphere and community-based problem-solving.
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Land Acknowledgment

CDS wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. For thousands of years, these have been the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We also recognize the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee peoples who also shared this land.  CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for these lands and waters for future generations.

School Information

13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5 
(905) 833-1220 

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Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.