Eight members of the Model United Nations grappled with a global crisis scenario involving the spread of a zombie-inducing virus during the crisis summit on Nov. 17.

Hosted by Bloomington High School, the summit brought together young diplomats from BHS, Normal Community, West, Central Catholic and U-High, tasking them with navigating a fictional world on the brink of chaos.

Designed to simulate the challenges of a global pandemic, similar to those posed by COVID-19, Community’s delegates had to be flexible while seeking solutions aligned with their assigned countries’ values.

The crisis summit, held in the BHS IMC, was one of two types of summits Model U.N. members participate in, according to Bloomington Normal Model U.N. Area Board president Hemanth Itte: the classical general summit and press summits.

General summits, Itte said, are “very similar to what you would see on the television,” with “all these countries sitting in a semicircle,” debating a point or working towards the best outcome for their nation.

“Press summits,” Itte continued, “focus not on a topic but rather a time and period in history where countries had to come together to find the best way to solve the crisis.”

The November summit was a modified version of a press summit, “just for fun,” Itte said.

While the debate revolved around “zombies invading the world” after a new virus, the summit was a “lighthearted one,” Itte said. “It was right after Halloween, and we just wanted to do something fun with our members.”

After two hours of debate, Community’s Andy Guzman, Gabe Martinez and Anushi Kiribamune were among those named the summit’s “delegates of the day,” the event’s top debaters.

For Kiribaumune, a three-year Model U.N. member, the club provides an outlet for competitiveness.

“You get to test [your] competitive edge,” Kiribaumune said, through “spirited debates about stuff that you’re passionate about.”

Model U.N.’s next summit is scheduled for Jan. 14 at Normal West.