Model United Nations Team hosts third annual High School Model United Nations conference

MURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State University Model United Nations team organized and hosted the third annual High School Model United Nations (HSMUN) conference on Nov. 15 at the Curris Center on Murray State’s campus.

Thirty-four students from Mayfield and Murray High Schools participated in the conference, engaging in a simulation that addressed crises in Sudan and Yemen. Acting as delegations of the UN Security Council, the high school students collaborated to draft resolutions, gaining hands-on experience in international diplomacy and problem-solving.

Kentucky Rep. Jonathan Dixon delivered the keynote address, while Murray State student Weslan Banks served as the Secretary-General of the conference.

At each HSMUN conference, two awards are presented in each committee. The first, the Best Delegation Award, recognizes delegations that excel in four key areas: consistency, mastery of rules and procedures, active participation and diplomacy. The second, the Best Position Paper Award, honors delegations that demonstrate exceptional writing in areas of position clarity, thorough research, actionable plans and high-quality writing.

Best Delegation Award winners were the following individuals:

-Ali Yarali and Alyman Dalloul, of Murray High School, representing the Republic of Indonesia

-Alexandria Nuwagaba, of Murray High School, representing the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Best Position Paper Award winners were the following individuals:

-Elida Ajanel Batan and Emely Maldonado, of Mayfield High School, representing the French Republic

-Aiden Farr and Majeda Dalloul, of Murray High School, representing the Republic of Kazakhstan

“Overall, I enjoyed my participation in the Murray State Model United Nations, as I enjoyed discussing the relevance of various geopolitical events in relation to the effectiveness employed by the country I was representing,” said Jonah Alton, a senior at Murray High School. “More particularly, I enjoyed participating in the motions, as the voice of my country was recognized as having genuine importance within the larger sphere of countries.” 

The Murray State Model UN Team organized the entire HSMUN conference.

“I am incredibly proud of our Model UN team for their dedication and hard work in making this conference a resounding success,” said Dr. Brittany Wood, assistant professor of political science at Murray State and advisor of the Murray State Model UN Team. “From start to finish, this entirely student-led effort demonstrated their ability to take on the immense responsibility of organizing a professional and successful event. Their leadership, creativity and commitment to inspiring others to engage with global issues has truly shone through in every detail of the conference.”

Murray State Model UN Team members include: 

-Weslan Banks (President; HSMUN Secretary General)

-Ali Khatib (Vice President)

-Brant Knasel (Secretary)

-Jocelyn Stark (Treasurer)

-Mary Huffman (Historian)

-Danielle Duncan

-Nazim Pacheco

-Oumou Baba Diombele

-Maggie Mae Drew

-Siddhi Kishore Thakkar

-Katie Ford

-Jyotiraditya Kishore Thakkar

-Nathaniel Hunt

-Riley Tubbs

-Sam Jackanicz

-Laney Evans

-Audrey Dixon