By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State University students recently attended the Midwest Model United Nations conference in St. Louis and earned several awards.
Model UN class is a three-credit-hour course that prepares students for competitive Model UN events.
“We practice public speaking, writing resolutions, following rules of order, and research countries and their policies relative to the committee topics of upcoming competitive events,” said Jay Steinmetz, an assistant professor at FHSU.
This year, Fort Hays represented Finland, Ethiopia and Moldova in four different committees.
Finland won the Outstanding Delegation in the plenary session and the Distinguished Delegation award for the entire conference. Moldova won three different awards: a position paper award for the GA 1 committee, an Honorable Mention Delegate in the GA 3 committee, and a Distinguished Delegation award for the conference. Ethiopia won the Delegate Choice Award in the GA 1 committee and an Honorable Mention award.
Students Luke Hampl, Mayan Paz, Daniel Bechle and Mickey Mason were individual award winners.
“It has been amazing to watch everyone win awards and enjoy the experience,” Paz said.
Paz, who won an Outstanding Delegate award, said the Model UN program at Fort Hays is growing.
“Last year, we sent out five students and came back with one award, an honorable mention for a delegation, won by myself and another student,” Paz said. “And this year, we had 12 students and won eight awards.”
The Model UN experience has helped Paz develop his leadership abilities.
“Model UN is a practical work experience in a high-pressure and competitive environment that brings out the best qualities in me and forces me to work well together with a large group of people, sharpen my public speaking and writing skills, and develop as a leader of a student organization trip,” Paz said.
Paz emphasized Model UN is not limited to political science majors.
“Our group is constantly growing and brings together some of the best students at FHSU,” he said.
The success from the regional competition has prompted the group to add a trip to Chicago to compete in the National Model UN.
“We are looking forward to continuing to expand and win more awards in future trips,” Paz said.