Enjoying the Model UN experience, one GPS group takes time out from position papers and representing other countries. Click to enlarge.
photo by GPS
As Director General of the Southeastern High School Model United Nations conference, senior Michelle Shekari worked hard behind the scenes organizing this year’s event, held Nov. 18-20. While her work was garnering kudos for her attention to organizational detail, her team from GPS walked away with a raft of awards and trophies.
“More girls than ever before won awards at this very competitive conference,” says advisor Scott Warren.
Senior Katherine Cherry in particular starred in the event. She was named Best Delegate for her work with the South African delegation and Best Overall Delegate of the over 350 students who attended the three-day gathering. The GPS chapter has been existence only five years, but the 30 girls who attended this largest Model UN conference in the Southeast make their presence known.
Among the award winners were Ioana Florea, who was participating in her first conference. She won an award for Best Position Paper from the South African delegation and Best Delegate. Kathleen Ellison was named Best Delegate from Brazil; Caitlin McAloon was named Best Delegate from Thailand, and Katie Porter and Alex Bobocica received Honorable Mention Best Delegate awards. Melissa Justo also was honored for having the Best Position Paper from the Thai delegation. The group representing South Africa, led by Katherine Cherry, was named the top delegation and included Libby Sewell, Filza Kaukab, Alex Bobocica, Ioana Florea, Sugandha Singh, and Max Griffin.
The delegations deliver position papers from committees on disarmament, world health, environment, social and humanitarian and legal issues, and Security Council. The Model UN, according to Mr. Warren, promotes the values of the United Nations: thinking of humanity, peace, and diversity, and thinking outside just your own country’s needs. “Students gain an in-depth look at another country’s culture, politics, government, and agenda,” according to the SHSMUN website.
GPS graduate Nancy Henry, currently a sophomore at Tufts University, was involved in Model UN at GPS and is now a director at the National High School Model UN conference after serving as an assistant director last year. The national conference is the largest Model UN conference for high schools in the country, and part of it is held at the United Nations in New York City. She’s also directing the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Committee for which she developed and wrote two position papers. She will run the committee at the March conference and will make comments on the position papers that the high school delegates write.
The exhausting Model UN conference also provided moments to rest. Click to enlarge.
photo by GPS