Baylor Team Shines at Model Organization of American States

November 8, 2005

by Lori Fogleman (254) 710-6275
For the ninth year in a row, a Baylor team has won a top team award, and nearly half of all honors, at the Model Organization of American States competition, held Nov. 3-5 at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.
The MOAS, sponsored by the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, simulated the activities of the Organization of American States and its committees. Students from 22 universities, including two from Mexico, assumed the roles of diplomatic representatives to the OAS. Each representing countries, participants researched and debated various issues of concern to the hemisphere, such as decentralization, terrorism, privacy issues, renewable fuels and telecommunications standardization.
Baylor's MOAS team, which represented Venezuela and Uruguay, received top honors as the Outstanding Delegation. Baylor also led this year's model in the number of awards, receiving six out of the 14 awards presented.
Laura Samudio, a senior international studies major from Austin, served as President of the Model. Patrick Cuff, a senior history major from Crawford, chaired the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs, for which he received recognition as Outstanding Chair.
Leticia Silva, the Co-Head Delegate for Uruguay and a junior real estate and economics major from Houston, won Outstanding Delegate for her work in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Robert Slater, a senior economics major from Austin and Head Delegate for Venezuela; Jenny Morrell, a senior political science major from Houston; and Ariel Alexander, a freshman international studies and Spanish major from San Antonio, were recognized as Distinguished Delegates in the Committee on Hemispheric Rights, the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission and Inter-American Council for Integral Development.
Other members of the team included: Anthony Samp, a senior international studies major from San Marcos, who served as Head Delegate for Uruguay; Denise Alvarez, a senior history major from Lorena; Xhemile Baca, a junior international studies major from Houston; Amanda Crews, a sophomore international studies major from Temple; Christie Davis, a freshman undeclared from Waco; Pedro Delgado, a sophomore political science major from San Antonio; Carolynne Dugger, a sophomore pre-forensics/biology major from San Antonio; Alyssa Engle, a freshman international studies major from Park Ridge, Ill.; Alyssa Erratt, a freshman University Scholar from Bryan; Cassidy Ford, a freshman University Scholar from Phoenix, Ariz.; Garrett Golding, a senior political science major from Coppell; Jessica Martin, a senior international studies major from Houston; Megan McNerney, a freshman international studies major from Troy, Ohio; Elizabeth Russell, a junior international studies major from Robinson; Eva Silkwood, a junior international studies major from Coldspring; and Matthew Zarate, a senior psychology major from San Antonio.
Dr. Joan Supplee, associate professor of history at Baylor, coached the team.
Ambassador Ronald Godard, senior adviser for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Mission to the United Nations; Raul Rodriguez, chairman of the board of trustees and former director of the North American Development Bank; Enrique Lee, vice president of Valero Oil Co.; and Florita Sheppard, Ambassador in Residence at the University of Texas, addressed the meeting and emphasized the importance of the OAS and the value of a career in Foreign Service.
For more information, contact Joan Supplee at (254) 710-6294.