Crisis
Prohibition: A Whiskey Business
A historical crisis set during American Prohibition, where organized crime, corruption, and reform collide.
About this committee
Chicago's underworld in 1925 may not be a government, but it operates like one. Territory is claimed, tribute is collected, rackets are run, and disputes are settled in only two places: at the table or in a back alley. Delegates will assume the roles of mob bosses, enforcers, and compromised politicians, each fighting for a piece of the city. They will divide the Windy City among themselves while deciding the future of their organizations in whatever direction they see fit.
Throughout the committee, delegates must also respond to crisis updates as events unfold. They should be prepared to collaborate, participate actively, propose creative solutions, and build alliances while acting from the perspective of their assigned character. There is money to be made, moles to uncover, and mobsters to outmaneuver. Only one question remains: who walks out alive?
Topics
Topic A: Rising Tensions: Power Gaps, Turf Wars, and Anarchy
Topic A will focus on the instability created by shifting power, rival criminal organizations, contested territory, political corruption, and fragile alliances. Delegates must respond to a breakdown in control while managing the consequences of escalating conflict. Every decision will affect the balance among organized crime, government institutions, businesses, and the public.
Topic B: The FBI: Sound of da Police
Topic B will examine the expanding federal response to organized crime and the struggle among local authorities, federal investigators, and the Bureau of Prohibition. Delegates will navigate investigations, corruption, jurisdictional disputes, public pressure, and legal limits as law enforcement seeks to regain control. The committee must decide how far enforcement should go and which institutions should lead it.
Background guides coming soon.
About the Committee Team
Shreyas Baghel
Chair
Hi everyone! I'm Shreyas Baghel (yes my last name is a lot like the food), and owing to that I typically do go by 'Bagel'. I'm really excited to be one of your chairs for the Prohibition committee, especially because I'm a huge fan of The Sopranos and the Mafia video games.
I was loosely involved in Model UN my freshman and sophomore year through our home conferences AHPMUN and HUDMUN, before really committing myself to the team this past year, where I've competed in both crisis committees and general assemblies. Outside of Model UN, I'm pretty heavily involved in Speech and Debate as President and in DECA as Vice President, and have a vested passion in entrepreneurship and marketing.
When I'm free from school related stuff, I'm typically found doing anything and everything that involves friends and cars. Taking photos, exploring, driving like a safe and upstanding citizen, rock crawling, off-roading, working on my car, drifting, you name it, there's a decent chance I've done it. If I'm not hanging out with friends, I will almost certainly be reading Stephen King or immersing myself in a single player story game, like the aforementioned Mafia games!
This is my first time ever chairing, and I'm super excited to see the process of debate and course of committee as an outsider and engage y'all as best as I can. While I do want to see an adherence to the time period and arcs that make sense historically, I wouldn't frown upon unconventional or risky ideas (within reason of course). My goal as chair, working with backrooms, is to make this committee as fun as possible, because that's where I really think the beauty of crisis is compared to a GA. If you have any questions (like how much more betrayal Paulie can take) or just want to reach out, please feel free to do so!
Joel Cardenas
Co-Chair
What's up guys! I'm Joel. I'm a junior at American Heritage Broward, and I'm really delighted to be chairing the Prohibition committee alongside Bagel! This is my first time chairing a committee and I look forward to seeing a spectacular debate. Although I'm not as experienced with crisis committees, I'm especially excited to be a part of this committee because of my love for the famous Al Capone.
Moreover, I'm a huge fan of intros that are funny but still topical, so nothing too over the top. Although I look forward to seeing solutions that stay historically accurate, I love to see different creative approaches from delegates throughout the committee.
Aside from MUN, I'm involved in a couple of things: swimming competitively, and being pretty involved in the nonprofit Bytes for Better Lives, which spends time helping seniors navigate their tech troubles. I'm also involved in HOSA, and I do a little sprinkle of speech and debate on the side.
Ultimately, my goal is to help others, whether through medicine or simply by stealing a smile whenever I can. In my free time, I love consuming Chipotle Mexican Grill, playing a bit of soccer with friends, and sleeping. I hope to make this crisis committee a fun and exciting experience. Please don't hesitate to reach out!
Frank Toma
Crisis Manager
Hello, delegates! My name is Frank Toma, and I cannot wait to serve as your Crisis Manager. I am excited to shake up committee and see how each of you uses crisis notes to shape the direction of the simulation.
I began competing with the travel team this year, and Model UN has quickly become one of my favorite activities on campus. From the team environment and traveling across the country to the excitement of committee, I have come to love every part of MUN. For delegates from American Heritage, I look forward to getting to know you better and hope to see you on the travel team in the future. For delegates joining us from other schools, I hope to help make AHPMUN a memorable experience.
Outside of Model UN, I participate in American Heritage's Pre-Business Program, the Pre-Business Society, and the Young Investors Society, and I compete in several business competitions. I am especially interested in marketing and plan to study it in college. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and meeting new people. If you would like to talk about committee, business, or music, feel free to find me at AHPMUN. I look forward to seeing you in committee.