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By Cristina Rodriguez, ��͹��Ƶ News Intern

Brayden Beall, a senior from Virginia Beach, is a double major in philosophy and political science with a concentration in political legal studies, along with a minor in environmental issues and management. At ��͹��Ƶ, he found a community to foster his personal and professional growth. 

Brayden serves as the President of ��͹��Ƶ Model United Nations (��͹��ƵMUN) — a student organization that seeks to encourage writing, research, public speaking and critical thinking skills through simulated conferences.  

Brayden, who is also an intern for the Office of Intercultural Relations, said Model UN is one of the most engaging activities he has ever done. “I feel like you really get to learn more about yourself, how you communicate and how you can get your points across,” he said.  

What solidified his place in ��͹��Ƶ Model UN was his first conference, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts. “I remember being so terrified,” he said. “At that point, I still hadn’t really felt like I was part of the club, but after that first trip, it really felt like I was part of a solid group. It’s been really nice to find that community here.” 

What solidified his place in ��͹��Ƶ Model UN was his first conference, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts. “I remember being so terrified,” he said. “At that point, I still hadn’t really felt like I was part of the club, but after that first trip, it really felt like I was part of a solid group. It’s been really nice to find that community here.” 

After his first conference, he ran for a member at large position to assist with ��͹��Ƶ’s annual Model UN Conference which draws students from more than 50 high schools across Virginia and North Carolina each spring. To secure the member at large position, he participated in a mock exercise for the 2026 Grammy Awards as a crisis director, much to the delight of the high school students. As a result of his execution and diligence, Brayden was awarded Staffer of the Year before securing his position as president. 

As president, Brayden has made several changes to the organization’s operations. Apart from weekly general body meetings, ��͹��Ƶ Model UN now holds monthly training sessions to prepare for conferences and monthly movie nights for team bonding. 

He recalled the legacy of former ��͹��ƵMUN President Myles Perry: “He was good with talking to people and getting people to feel like this was a good community,” Brayden said. “I want to continue that legacy for him.” 

This semester, Brayden wants to ensure ��͹��Ƶ Model UN is highly involved with homecoming at events like “Paint the Crown” and 

“Paint the Town Blue.” Another opportunity to engage with students interested in joining the club is the United Nations Day celebration, when ��͹��ƵMUN holds an all-day mini conference in the Webb Student Center. Students can familiarize themselves with the nuances of a conference structure without the need for rigorous preparation.  

To Brayden, events like the mini conference are great gateway experiences to the organization, as many of its facets are on display at once. Often, students go on to participate in other conferences and become more involved with the organization, bringing  skills with them from the club to their own careers. “It really is a confidence booster to make you feel like ‘Oh, maybe this isn’t so hard; maybe I can do this. Once I do it here, I can go and do it somewhere else’,” he said. 

Brayden attributes his in public speaking to ��͹��Ƶ Model UN. “I think the reason I’m able to do this is because of this club. I think before this point I was still searching for some confidence, and now I’m grateful to have found that.” Through his role as president, he hopes to extend the same opportunities for growth to his peers. 

“I don’t want anyone walking away from my meetings and feeling like this is not a place for them, or that it’s not a community for them. I’m just glad that I was able to find a place where I could feel at home.”