Several Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts students earned recognition at the 60th Arkansas Model United Nations Conference held at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Among the recognition students earned were:
• Best Position Paper: Republic of Korea, delegates Tatum Polzin, a senior from Little Rock; Aaron Bruce, a sophomore from Hot Springs; Nathan Harbut, a senior from Hot Springs; Jordan Roper, a junior from Hot Springs; Bailey Bray, a senior from Greenbrier; Colt Erwin, a junior from Hot Springs; Halie Cook, a senior from Pine Bluff; Phoenix Dunkley, a senior from Little Rock; and Aarush Goyal, a senior from Bentonville;
• Economic and Social Council Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention: Republic of South Korea — Halie Cook, a senior from Pine Bluff;
• Human Rights Council Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention: South Africa — Nora Medlock, a senior from Dyer;
• Council of the Arab League Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention: Lebanon — Max Monroe, a senior from Hot Springs;
• Security Council Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mention: Republic of South Korea — Aarush Goyal, a senior from Bentonville; and
• Model International Court of Justice Outstanding Delegate Honorable Mentions: Lebanon — Paris Goodman, a junior from Black Rock, and South Africa: Tristan Henson, a senior from Maumelle.
The conference was held Nov. 21-22. The Arkansas Model UN is an experiential learning activity with the primary goal of providing high school students with a unique opportunity to enhance their communication skills, improve critical thinking skills and increase their understanding of diplomacy and international politics.
Dr. Don Baker, a former ASMSA instructor, served as the keynote speaker during the opening session. Baker has been a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State since 2005.
The conference is hosted by the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies at UCA.
The annual conference provides a setting in which students can simulate representative of various countries throughout the world in the decision-making bodies of the United Nations. It provides the students an opportunity to gain an understanding of the history and structure of the international body, according to the conference’s website.