ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – A delegation from Lexington High School won top honors April 1 at the 46th annual Model United Nations conference at Winthrop University.
Held March 30-April 1, the program involved dozens of high school students from 20 high schools across the Carolinas. An awards ceremony capped two days of deliberations over world events and this year’s theme, “Multilateral Empowerment of Women and Other Marginalized Populations.”
The overall award – the Winthrop Cup – went to Lexington High students who represented the country of Hong Kong.
The Secretariat Award went to Catawba Ridge High School of Fort Mill. The group represented the countries of France, Ireland and Palestine. The award is given to the delegation which contributed greatly to the conference, whether it be through inspiring other delegations to do their best or through displaying exceptional preparedness.
The Geoffrey Bruce Award for the delegation acting most in character of its country went to Fort Mill High’s delegation representing Russia.
Winthrop students recognized as outstanding advisors to their high school delegations were: Hannah Switzer, Venezuela; Carrie Vaughn, Mozambique; Marley Bassett, Nicaragua; Ryan Noblett, Japan; Ethan Hughes, Ukraine; and Jeremiah Williams, China. Various high school delegations also were recognized for writing outstanding resolutions for different committees.
This year’s Secretariat operated under the student leadership of Ellery McNeill, secretary general; Stephanie Martinez, director general; and Jade Jones, coordinator general. The three worked with their advisor, Professor Jennifer Leigh Disney, to organize the conference and coordinate Winthrop students’ participation.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.