TownMUN (Model United Nations) 2025 transformed the main gym into a mini United Nations this morning as seniors paraded in as teams of adopted nations and Secretary‑General Isabella Nunn called the General Assembly to order. Over the next two days, delegates will wrestle with resolutions on Ukraine, Eastern DR Congo, and the South China Sea/Taiwan while sharpening the research, negotiation, and public‑speaking skills they’ve honed all semester in Current World Problems.
Model UN advisor Ben Dow traces the event’s roots back more than four decades. “TownMUN has a long history at PTHS, it started in the 1980s under teacher Robbie Roberts who was deeply involved in having students develop global perspectives. When I took over in 2009, we moved to the international norms and formats based on large international MUNs like THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) which I had taken students to at a previous school.”
Dow insists on professional dress from the opening gavel to the closing vote. “Having students dressed professionally and representing their countries really helps set the high‑level tone of TownMUN. They say dress for the job you want, and I think having a fully professional experience really ups the standards for students around professional communication. And every year I’m so impressed with how they rise to the occasion.”
The committee topics were selected for their immediacy on the world stage. “I always want students to learn about current events, so they can make sure their voices get heard and they can make the world a better place. Ultimately I want them to leave with the speaking, listening (sometimes the hardest!) and critical thinking skills to see complex problems from multiple perspectives and come up with workable solutions. TownMUN and it’s structure helps do this.”
Lobbying and amendments can turn fierce, but Dow reminds delegates of the bigger picture. “The goal ultimately is not to ‘win’ but to stay true to your country's point of views.”
Informal hallway huddles often shape the final text of a resolution long before it reaches the floor. “Every year at least a few countries start lobbying long before TownMUN ‘begins.’ You’ll often see their country’s views in the final merged and passed resolutions.”
Even when students’ proposals outpace real‑world diplomacy, Dow sees hope. “Often students craft solutions to problems that are better than their professional diplomatic counterparts that are bound by more political pressures. Although this element of TownMUN is less ‘realistic’ it gives me hope for the future and every year there are resolutions I’d love to forward to the UN for actual consideration.”
And his message for underclassmen eyeing their turn? “TownMUN is the most fun you’ll have at school, and the most proud you’ll be of yourself. Don’t be scared, we’ll get you ready to be there! It’s way easier than it looks, once you’re prepared!”
Visitors are welcome in the gym for Wednesday morning’s debate and the midday closing ceremonies, prime seats to watch the Class of 2025 tackle global challenges one clause at a time.
Administrative Professionals Day | April 23, 2025
Walk into Port Townsend High School and you'll find three separate offices quietly pulsing at the heart of the building, each one run by a person who keeps our school grounded, organized, and running with care. On this Administrative Professionals Day, we celebrate Lisa Anderson in the main office, Samantha Massie in the attendance office, and Katie Quimby in the counseling office: three incredible professionals who do far more than most people ever see.
Senior Neya Browne, a student administrative assistant for the past two years, knows firsthand the kind of impact these three have. When asked to describe Lisa Anderson, she immediately chose the word “invaluable.” “The way Lisa does things is what makes them work,” she said. “I’ve had the great pleasure of working with her and I see every day just how important her role is.”
Neya also shared a personal memory of how Lisa’s calm presence helped her during a tough moment her freshman year. “I would come into the main office when I was overwhelmed, and she would talk through it with me. It really helped me get back on track.”
Downstairs in the cafeteria, the attendance office is home to Samantha Massie, who wears many hats: managing attendance, co-advising ASB, and bringing warmth to every interaction. “Junior prom stands out,” Neya recalled. “Samantha was working behind the scenes to help plan it, but she was also standing at the door with a huge smile when we arrived. That really set the tone for the night.”
The energy in her office is something Neya remembers clearly: “There’s always soft music playing, the sound of her typing, and she’s always pausing to chat or check in with me. She makes the space feel welcoming.”
In the counseling office, Katie Quimby quietly ensures student records, transcripts, and graduation requirements stay on track. But for Neya, Katie’s real magic is in her personality. “She’s so inviting and motivating. Her attitude makes a difference, it’s not just about the work she does, it’s how she does it.”
And while all three keep their offices running smoothly, much of their work flies under the radar. “There are so many details in the attendance office alone that most people don’t realize,” Neya explained. “Samantha goes back through every date, updates everything, talks to teachers and parents, just to make sure it’s accurate. That work can go totally unnoticed.”
So what’s the best way to show appreciation? Neya kept it simple: “Just say thank you. Let them know you see them and how hard they work. That little recognition can mean a lot.”
If she could sum up her gratitude in one line, it would be this: “My high school path has been greatly shaped by my relationships with those three.”
To Lisa, Samantha, and Katie—thank you for everything you do for our students, staff, and school community. PTHS is better because of you.
On this Earth Day, while the world pauses to reflect on the health of our planet, the Students for Sustainability (SFS) club at Port Townsend High School is continuing the work they do all year: building habits, raising awareness, and trying, project by project, to make our school community more sustainable.
For leaders Hilina Taylor-Lenz and Kepler Edmundson, the paths to activism were different but meaningful. “It was actually the other way around,” Kepler admits. “I joined Students for Sustainability, and then I got a passion for environmental issues.” Hilina, on the other hand, was raised on it: “My parents always encouraged me to learn about the environment. When I found out there was a Students for Sustainability club, I was so excited to join and try to make a difference.”
One early-year win was a student-led silverware drive, sparked when the school ran out of metal utensils and shifted to plastic forks. “It sounds small,” Hilina explained, “but it was a real problem. One of our seniors led a drive to bring in more forks, and now we have metal options again in the cafeteria.”
Club meetings happen weekly and are student-driven. Leaders write ideas and project updates on the whiteboard, and sometimes, guest speakers from the community visit to offer opportunities. “Those are my favorite meetings,” Kepler said. “The speakers usually bring in ideas for how students can get involved beyond the school.”
Both Kepler and Hilina have stories they’re proud of. For Kepler, it’s a willow tree windbreak he helped plant six years ago at Sunfield Waldorf School. “Now the trees are fully grown. It’s wild to go back and see how they turned out.” Hilina pointed to her speech at the January protest to preserve Cappy’s Trails and her work with the North Olympic Salmon Coalition. “I spent over 30 hours one summer helping them relocate salmon fry so restoration work wouldn’t harm the baby fish.”
While environmental work can sometimes feel daunting, both students say keeping focused on forward motion is key. “Just consistently showing up makes a difference,” Kepler shared. Hilina added, “Even if you’re not sure a plan will work out, it helps to have something you’re working toward. Goals help keep people motivated.”
As for changing minds? Hilina recalled a skeptic who criticized their protest planning—only to become an ally after exchanging a few thoughtful emails. “He ended up speaking at a City Council meeting in support of protecting the trails,” she said. “That was cool to see.”
If they could implement one green policy instantly, both focused on waste. Kepler wishes for a composting system linked to the school garden. “It would be super sustainable if we could produce compost ourselves,” he said. Hilina dreams of a cleaner campus: “There’s too much plastic trash. I’d love to see people actually pick up after themselves.”
Their advice for fellow Redhawks looking to make a difference? “Come to our SFS meetings!” Kepler said with a grin. “We’re welcoming and want as many people as we can get.” Hilina added, “Try walking, biking, or taking the bus instead of driving. That alone could reduce a lot of emissions.”
Looking ahead, the club hopes to rebuild its numbers. “We’ve seen our membership shrink a bit,” Hilina admitted. “We need new leaders, new projects, and more people ready to engage. That’s what will keep us going.”
And on Earth Day, what message do they hope the school carries forward?
“Even the smallest actions add up,” Kepler said. Hilina echoed that hope: “Don’t stop just because you think it’s not making a difference. Every sustainable choice matters.”
Whether it's planting trees, organizing a fork drive, or simply picking up a piece of litter, these Redhawks are showing that action speaks louder than words.
About Port Townsend High School
Website: https://highschool.ptschools.org/
Location: 1500 Van Ness Street, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360.379.4520
Non-discrimination statement
Port Townsend School District No. 50 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, immigration status, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Carrie Ehrhardt
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 680-5756
Title IX Officer:
Carrie Ehrhardt
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 680-5756
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Shelby Macmeekin
1610 Blaine Street
(360) 379-4501
Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR):https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
