Baylor Hosts High School Model U.N. Tournament
The Baylor Model United Nations team hosted a high school learning conference and competition on Oct. 16. More than 150 students from eight high schools to participated in the event.
The competition recreates a meeting of the United Nations. The students, representing delegations from member countries of the U.N., debated a variety of topics, such as environmental concerns, human rights and international security. Competitors must thoroughly research their chosen country and take its position.
Individual awards based on speaking ability, knowledge of the representative country and cooperation with other delegates were given. The team with the highest number of individual awards was selected the outstanding delegation. Ronald Reagan High School from San Antonio took the best delegation award, while Westwood High School from Austin took second place with an honorable mention.
"The conference provides high school students the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge about decision making processes within the United Nations while training their team members for future competitions," said Dr. Andrew Konitzer-Smirnov, visiting professor of political science and director of the Baylor Model U.N. program.
Baylor Model U.N. team members facilitated debate and moderated the committees. Head delegate Abbigail Foster, a senior economics and real estate major; assistant head delegate Angela Hackett, a junior political science and international studies major; administrative sponsor Jenice Langston; and Konitzer coordinated activities and handled administrative duties.
The Baylor Model U.N. team will compete in the University of Pennsylvania's Model United Nations conference on Nov. 11-15 and will participate at the University of California-Berkeley tournament in February.