An experience of a lifetime–Harvard Model Congress. HMC is the largest congressional simulation conference in the world, run entirely by undergraduates at Harvard College. A conference to help the minds of tomorrow. Teaching students how to engage in debates, caucuses, trials, press conferences, testimonies, and crises.
Students take on the roles of the US government, which include but are not limited to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and Special Programs. The main goal is to attempt to pass bills, form alliances, and think critically about real-world legislation.
Mrs. Anderson, the government and world history teacher at Ludlow High School, was lucky enough to bring a select few students to the conference these past two years, and myself being one of them. As she reflects on her experiences at HMC, she says: “Bringing students to the Harvard Model Congress has been one of the most worthwhile teaching experiences I have had. Students embrace the freedom of their own learning in a challenging but enjoyable way.”
A former graduate from Ludlow High School and later Harvard College, Matt Tibbits made this opportunity possible. He invited Mrs. Anderson to bring some students from the student council to participate in the government simulation. It was an amazing opportunity, and she took it. Reflecting on how it all started, Mrs. Anderson shared,
“Matt Tibbits…asked me to attend and I am so thrilled I did. I am hopeful this will be an experience offered to Ludlow High students for many years to come,” she said.
Preparing for HMC isn’t just about getting the right business clothes, it’s about late-night research sessions, practice debates, and a bit of uncertainty. It is so important to fully immerse yourself to understand the ins and outs of what you will be doing when you arrive at the conference.
“The biggest challenge at the Harvard Model Congress is being prepared to debate and work with some of the brightest students from across the country,” Mrs. Anderson admitted.
She emphasized the need to equip students with the skills needed to be successful during the conference.
2025 graduating senior and future Harvard student, Jack Favata, echoes this same feeling.
“At a conference like HMC, the majority of students come from wealthy, private schools… These students are trained debaters. They have access to speech and debate coaches, public speaking classes, and experience from other highly competitive competitions under their belts,” he said.
These students are coming to win and plan to do just that. Most have futures already set up to go to Ivy League schools, and if not, to very high-ranking schools. They walk into the debate rooms confident and ready to fight. Taking on the role of someone who might or might not reflect their own personal beliefs.
Despite these odds, Favata leaned into his own talents:
“The necessary skills to portray a character thoroughly on stage are parallel to those required to garner votes… Ensuring you are captivating enough to convince a room of ~40 other people to vote in your favor is not an easy task; it requires you to be creative, succinct, and better than the person who just spoke before you.”
Rather than be intimidated by the people around him, it became his drive to do his absolute best. Favata stated:
“I was motivated by the other kids rather than intimidated, and they pushed me to be better.”
When in such a competitive environment, it is important to pay attention and stay confident. His drive paid off: later, Favata was named Best Delegate in his committee. The best delegate is awarded to delegates who stand out in their committee for their leadership, participation, collaboration, and overall performance.
For a public school student going head-to-head with elite private school students, it was a huge deal. While most of the awards went to students from the same few competitive schools, Favata defied the odds—proving himself not only as a skilled delegate, but as an outstanding student and person.
For Freshman Mackenzie Caron, her biggest hurdle was public speaking. “I’d say the most challenging part of HMC was the public speaking and getting used to talking in front of a bunch of people who have trained all year for this,” she admitted.
In the classroom, it is seen that students dread presentations and speaking in front of a large group. At HMC, that is all you are doin,g so it is important to be confident and speak certainly.
But like Favata, she found that her confidence grew quickly. “Once you start asking questions and talking to people, it’s a lot more fun.”
Once Caron allowed herself to fully experience everything HMC had to offer it allowed her to get more involved while also making the experience more enjoyable.
The social side of the conference was just as important. As Caron reflected, 
“I didn’t really know everyone going at first, but by the end of the trip, I became friends with everyone and had a really good time with them.”
When you go to HMC, you expect to spend a long weekend in Boston with a few fellow students from LHS, but by the end, we came out as a family, with stories that will last a lifetime.
HMC wasn’t just about politics—it was about connection. Students shared hotel rooms, late-night laughs, and dinners out. Favata fondly remembered a dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, calling it a turning point in their group bonding:
“Over the duration of the conference, we became family.”
One of Mrs. Anderson’s favorite memories came when Matt Tibbits, now a Harvard graduate, returned to visit the event.
“Many of the students who attended Harvard Model Congress made a connection with Matt and will continue the relationship they have fostered for many new opportunities in the future,” she said proudly.
Walking into Harvard Model Congress for the first time is a moment students don’t forget. I remember that first day vividly. We were just a group of nervous sophomores, juniors, and seniors, completely unsure of what we had signed ourselves up for. After waiting nearly an hour in the hotel lobby, we found out that only one of our rooms was ready—and the opening ceremony was just 15 minutes away.
With nerves flying around, the nine of us dragged our suitcases upstairs and crammed into that one room to get ready. It was chaotic but also the moment we started to become a family. It wasn’t the most ideal situation but it really helped bring us all together.
“The hotel itself was beautiful and quite literally set the stage for what was to come,” Favata recalled. “Everyone was decked out in suits and blazers… Strong, bold, and unwavering in their position.”
Caron joining the following year echoed those same feelings.
“It was a mix of being excited and terrified. We went straight to the opening ceremony, then straight to meetings right after, so it was a little confusing—but the excitement of it all outweighed everything.”
While everything is go go go it is still something so different than I have ever experienced. Harvard Model Congress is more than a four-day simulation. It’s a chance to build skills that last a lifetime. Public speaking, teamwork, leadership, and understanding of our government are just a few of the things that I have gained from this experience.
“You will gain so much in public speaking skills, expand your vocabulary, and improve the way you articulate yourself in everyday conversations,” Favata said. “It is a great résumé builder, and I promise you will walk out feeling inspired.”
Caron agreed: “It’s a lot more than just work and boring stuff. You actually learn a lot and have fun at the same time.”
I can gladly say that in my 17 years of life, the best decision I’ve made was signing that permission slip to attend Harvard Model Congress in my sophomore year. At the time, I didn’t realize just how much it would impact me, but looking back, it shaped who I am today.
I cultivated meaningful friendships, many of which have lasted far beyond the trip itself. I returned to school not just with memories, but with a deeper understanding of how our government works and how to speak with confidence.
I now have connections with students from all over the country. People I never would have met otherwise. Even when returning this past year reconnecting like no time had passed.