Good afternoon. Welcome to my talk, Culture is a verb, how youth voices shape culture. My name is Alexia Tuno.I am a first generation American. I am a daughter of immigrants from France and Spain. I am fluent in French and Spanish and I have sung in choirs all over the world in German, Swahili, Latin, Zulu and many more languages.I am a third culture kid. One of the first thinkers who helped me understand that culture is not just something we are born into but something that actively shapes our thinking was ...

Core Argument - The report challenges the notion that hard work alone guarantees success, particularly in competitive environments like Model United Nations [2][8] - It emphasizes the importance of adaptability, spontaneity, and genuine connection alongside diligent preparation [23][24] - The speaker advocates for a balanced approach, integrating the discipline of hard work with the enjoyment and creativity of a more relaxed approach [24][25] Model United Nations (MU) Experience - The speaker initially approached MU with a rigorous, preparation-heavy strategy, writing an 8,400-word document to anticipate all scenarios [8] - The Harvard MU experience revealed that success wasn't solely based on thorough preparation but also on social interaction, creativity, and matching the energy of the room [15][17][18] - The speaker learned to loosen up, embrace unorthodox ideas, and connect with other delegates, leading to a more enjoyable and ultimately more fulfilling experience [20][21] Personal Growth and Perspective Shift - The speaker initially believed that effort directly translated to success, viewing MU as a mathematical equation [9][10] - The experience at Harvard MU led to a realization that passion should involve enjoyment and that genuine connection is more valuable than solely competing for awards [22][23] - The speaker now approaches conferences with a focus on genuine enjoyment, personal growth, and crafting arguments from scratch, rather than solely aiming for awards [25]