Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students won several awards — including Outstanding Delegate to the Security Council — at the Arkansas Model United Nations Conference.
The conference is a multi-disciplinary, educational program that provides high school students unique opportunities to enhance their communication skills, improve their critical thinking skills and increase their understanding of diplomacy and international politics. Students simulate participating in the decision-making bodies of the United Nations as representatives of various countries throughout the world.
This year’s conference was held Nov. 21-22 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
As part of the conference, students serve as members of international delegations to the Model UN. They participate in activities that help them develop an understanding of the United Nations’ structure, including writing position papers and holding committee and General Assembly meetings.
ASMSA students earned several awards during this year’s conference. Senior David Flora of Benton earned three awards, including Outstanding Delegate to the Security Council, the most prestigious of the conference. He also earned awards for Outstanding Delegation Honorable Mention as a member of the United Kingdom delegation and as Rapporteur for the Security Council.
Other students recognized included:
- Senior Jacob Johnston of Greenbrier, Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention-Model International Court of Justice;
- Senior Nila Ray of Pine Bluff, Outstanding Delegation Honorable Mention-United Kingdom and Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention-Economic and Finance Committee;
- Senior Sophia Ly of Jonesboro, Outstanding Delegation Honorable Mention-United Kingdom;
- Junior Charles Jones of Benton, Outstanding Delegation Honorable Mention-United Kingdom;
- Senior Katelyn Watson of Jonesboro, Outstanding Delegation Honorable Mention-United Kingdom;
- Senior Nina Valdes of Griffithville, Outstanding Delegation Honorable Mention-United Kingdom; and
- Senior LaShawna Hanes of Mena, junior Christina Osorio of Sherwood, junior Maggie Collier of Ward, junior Zoe Tester of Clinton and junior Madisyn Chance of Atkins, Best Position Paper-Botswana.
ASMSA instructor Ron Luckow, who serves as adviser to ASMSA’s Model UN team, said the Arkansas Model United Nations Conference serves as an important opportunity for students to develop international awareness as well as several other skills.
“Model UN promotes students’ interests in world affairs and teaches vital skills in negotiation, public speaking, problem solving, conflict resolution, research and communication. Students do substantive research, write papers and debate global issues. They also learn about the importance of consensus building through compromise and cooperation,” he said.