Model UN Delegates excel in the Mitten State

by Cole Brownsberger ’14

While most Ignatius students were enjoying the long weekend, members of the Junior Council of World Affairs (JCWA) were hard at work solving the world’s problems.  The “DiploCats” headed to Michigan State this weekend to compete in the MSU Model United Nations.  The diplomats competed against 600 other students, and were split up into several committees, representing the countries of Spain, Yemen, and Singapore.

In a Model United Nations, student teams participate in a simulated United Nations session.   The students are assigned a nation to represent, and come the Model UN session playing the part of that nation’s diplomats.   In order to prepare, students research the country and international issues, and prepare position papers on a variety of topics.   During the session itself, the diplomats give speeches, work with (or against) other nations, in order to bring about solutions to global problems.

2013-02-16 18.42.02It isn’t all work, however.  The Delegate Dance, one of the conference’s most anticipated events, is a chance to mingle with participants from other schools, and was rated “alright” by Tyler Delhees ’14. “There were a lot of mosh-pits, and it was pretty hard to dance without getting knocked around, which made the dance less enjoyable,” he said.  Delhees, who had recently attended another Model United Nations conference at the University of Pennsylvania, was hoping to see a little more action on the dance floor.
Before the dance, Charley Heintel ’16 received a total of fourteen candy grams from a certain “secret admirer,” with cute messages such as: “Are you a bakers son? Because you have nice buns.” Whether this was simply a prank pulled by other Saint Ignatius delegates who may or may not have pooled their money together to buy Charley these candy grams, is unclear.  The identity (or identities) of the secret admirer remained a secret.  Heintel, however, is convinced that one of the female committee chairs was “into him” enough to send him the flirtatious confections.
All fun and games aside, the delegates came to this conference to work and win  awards. Delegates had resolutions passed, gave speeches, and even conspired against other members in their committees.
Those receiving awards were: Alastair Pearson ’14 with a verbal commendation, Peter Jones ’15 with an honorable  commendation, Tom Horan ’14 with an honorable commendation, Charley Heintel ’16 with outstanding delegate, and Jacob Biesiada ’13 with best delegate. Within in the committees, Max Heintel ’13 was voted best dressed; Mike Chambers ’14 was voted most likely to succeed; and John Dorow ’15 was voted most likely to be stuck in the bathroom.
Congratulations to all of the delegates that participated in the conference, and congratulations especially to all of the award winners.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR