Students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts earned recognition at the 56th Arkansas Model United Nations Conference held recently at the University of Central Arkansas.
Among the recognition the students earned was an award for Best Position Papers for three nations ASMSA students represented — Bangladesh, Lebanon, Panama. Individual students also earned individual recognition in the Outstanding Delegate Awards. They included:
- Morgan McKenna, a junior from Charleston, honorable mention, First Committee (DISEC), representing Bangladesh;
- Michaela Stevens, a senior from Hot Springs, honorable mention, Second Committee (ECOFIN), representing Panama;
- Olivia Norman, a senior from Hot Springs, honorable mention, Second Committee (ECOFIN), representing Lebanon;
- Claire Green, a senior from North Little Rock, honorable mention, Third Committee (SOCHUM), representing Panama;
- Aiyanna Tombs, a junior from North Little Rock, honorable mention, Third Committee (SOCHUM), representing Bangladesh;
- Shreyam Tripathi, a junior from Conway, honorable mention, Third Committee (SOCHUM), representing Lebanon;
- Isaura Funes, a junior from Conway, honorable mention, Third Committee (SOCHUM), representing Vietnam;
- Arindam Deb, a senior from Beebe, Outstanding Delegate, Joint Security Council (SC) – Peace and Security Council Emergency Session, representing Vietnam; and
- Trey Clark, a senior from Harrison, honorable mention, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), representing Bangladesh.
Other ASMSA students who participated in the conference were sophomore Pragya Chauhan of Bentonville, junior Kacie Koen of Benton and junior Lydia Krebs of Maumelle.
The conference was held Nov. 19-20 at UCA’s campus in Conway. The Arkansas Model UN is an experiential learning activity with the primary goal of providing high school students with a unique opportunity to enhance their communication skills, improve critical thinking skills and increase their understanding of diplomacy and international politics.
The annual conference provides a setting in which students are able to simulate representatives of various countries throughout the world in the decision-making bodies of the United Nations. It provides the students an opportunity to gain an understanding of the history and structure of the international body, according to the conference’s website.