Students present Model UN, StageRight, robotics and DECA projects at CISL meeting

Dozens of Beverly High and Middle School students described clubs and extracurricular programs at the Dec. 10 CISL meeting, highlighting conference travel, performances and new funding for hands-on learning.

Model UN seniors said the club attends regional and national conferences to practice parliamentary procedure and build public-speaking skills. StageRight students described inclusive crew and acting roles, upcoming auditions for "Dracula" and the club’s support from director Miss Bigus.

The robotics team reported recent growth after outside funding: the club applied for a $25,000 Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant and received a $25,000 pledge from the Gordon Foundation to build a classroom component and expand competitive participation in VEX robotics. "We hope to join a larger league and grow to become a pillar of our school," one student said.

DECA co-presidents Grace Williams and Olivia Fletcher described a 158-member program that functions as a class and an extracurricular competition team. They outlined upcoming competitions in Danvers and Boston and international qualifiers in Atlanta, and noted community outreach including a Santa breakfast and a $400 donation from a recent walkathon to Riley Rocks.

Committee members praised the students’ presentations, asked about membership counts and outreach to homeschooled students, and encouraged continued collaboration between student groups and staff advisors. No formal committee actions were required for the student presentations.