Last week, the JPII Model UN Club deepened their understanding of global politics during an enriching field trip to Hilton Head, where they attended a lecture hosted by the World Affairs Council. The featured speaker was Joseph Cirincione, a renowned national security analyst with more than 40 years of experience in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Cirincione’s presentation, “America’s National Security and Nuclear Weapons,” offered students an in-depth look at the current geopolitical landscape, nuclear policy, and the challenges facing global security today. As a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, former president of Ploughshares Fund, and author of seven influential books, Mr, Cirincione brought a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the discussion. His background includes roles at the Center for American Progress, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, along with over a decade teaching at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

For JPII students, the opportunity to hear from such a distinguished expert was both academically inspiring and personally impactful. “Listening to someone who has shaped national security conversations for decades really opens students’ eyes,” said JPII social studies and government teacher Bill Damude. “It helps them see the real-world relevance of what we discuss in Model UN.”

The talk encouraged thoughtful reflection on global cooperation, diplomacy, and the responsibilities of world leaders. “Mr. Cirincione challenged our students to think critically about today’s international issues,” Mr. Damude added. “Experiences like this push them to become informed citizens who can analyze complex problems.”
This field trip reflects JPII’s ongoing commitment to providing students with meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that expand their worldview. The Model UN Club returned inspired and energized—ready to bring fresh insight, curiosity, and confidence to their next debate and research sessions.

JPII students attending - Millie Cornejo, Michael Fitzgibbons, Megan Fox, Haileigh Feeney, Leo Iskandar, Cristen Rodriguez, Kathryn Mouhalis, Savannah Hardy, Abigail Brock, Caleb Baker, Jackson Reilley, Tommy Rembold, Luca Madhere, Isaiah Hahn, Delilah Waite-Kerns, and Caroline Ware.