Model UN Attends American Model United Nations
Earlier this February, the Model UN team traveled to Washington, D.C. and American University to attend the 12th annual American Model United Nations
Conference (AmeriMUNC).
There were 29 committees, ranging from interconnected crises, non-traditional, and general assemblies, that focused on current and past global events. These committees were very diverse in theme, varying from an independent crisis on the Panama Canal, to a general assembly about world health. Before the conference, the team also had the opportunity to view the monuments and many museums including the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. They got to view famous pieces of art like Ginevra de’ Benci by Leonardo da Vinci, and Girl with the Red Hat by Johannes Vermeer.
O’Neal students brought a variety of experience and knowledge, while also bringing many first-time members who were very remarkable. All delegates developed skills of adaptability and creativity while cooperating with other delegates from other schools but also other countries; this requires the ability to multitask, which makes Model UN exceptionally challenging but also lots of fun. Michaela Stone and Ethan Kim represented Nigeria in the UNESCO Committee a general assembly focusing on the protection of world heritage sites. In another general assembly, Siri Mannava represented Niger in the UNODC committee which focused drugs and crime. Maddie Hostler represented Canada in the UNCSW focusing on women’s rights issues in Latin America.
Katherine Fensterle represented Claudia Curiel de Icaza in the Cabinet of Mexico, and Carson Pusser represented Abelardo Pinto in the Cabinet of Guatemala, both in the joint crisis about press freedoms. Victoria York represented Néstor Huanca Chura, who is a minister in the Cabinet of Bolivia, in the committee aimed to protect the Amazon Rainforest. Jane Nguyen represented a judge in the International Court of Justice, where they discussed the ownership of the Falkland Island. Lastly, the Model UN team is excited to congratulate Charlotte Mills and Sophia Graziano for winning a Verbal Commendation for their role as Chile in the WHO committee. As well as Joseph Lucas and Caitlyn Blocklinger for winning Outstanding Delegate in their respective committees as Oscar Ramirez of the Panama Canal Committee, and Ayanna Webster-Roy of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago.
This event was the last major conference for the MUN team for the 24-25 school year. The team will continue to meet throughout the year to continue building their skills through simulations and discussing current events. We look forward to our in-house crisis later in the spring.
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