Hoboken HS Students Return Inspired From Harvard Model Congress

After six days of participating in Harvard Model Congress in San Francisco, a group of Hoboken High school students returned inspired.

On Tuesday night, the group told the school board about their experiences on the six day trip, which was supervised by teachers Erin Kubach and Steve D'Bernado.

"It was an amazing experience," said Eimee Mendez, 16, "one that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life."

She added that speaking to a room of hundreds of strangers was both exhilirating and nervewracking.

"I didn't think it would change me as much as it did," Mendez said.

Willie Allen, a freshman at the high school, felt the same way. For Allen, the trip was a good way to find out what life is like on the other side of the country and to imagine what life will be like after graduating high school in roughly three years.

"I loved it," Allen, 14, said. While he called the surroundings "intimidating," he said he learned from it and that the experience "made (him) better."

"It's intense," said D'Bernado, who accompanied the students on their trip, "it's congress simulation." 

This was D'Bernado's fifth time accompanying Hoboken High Students on the trip.

"It's a college level activity," he said. "And this year, there was more preparation than ever before."