Students of North Point and St. Charles high schools recently took part in a Model UN conference held at Towson University.

St. Charles freshmen Emma Sekonde and Jade Weekes, representing the Republic of Colombia, won the Position Paper Award for underclassmen. Representing Mexico, seniors Anaiya Hillyer and Amani Gatling won the Position Paper Award for upperclassmen. Teachers and conference chairs select top position papers that accurately reflect a country’s ideas and contain outstanding negotiation language, according to information provided by the Model UN program.

North Point senior Nalani Shimeles and Noelle Shimeles, a junior, representing the Republic of Estonia, won the James C. Roberts Best Negotiating Team Award. The award is given to the delegation that is the most effective in negotiating with others to achieve its goals in formal and informal conference settings. The winners of the honor are chosen by students participating in the conference.

During the two-day conference, each delegation is required to prepare a position paper with the participants proposing solutions that would support international refugees. During the Feb. 28 and March 1 conference, students are asked to advocate for policies while learning about other actions taken on the floor. Following the discussion, students participate in a vote to determine which resolution to pass. 

Model UN encourages students to act in the role of an international diplomat, representing one of the member states of the United Nations (UN). During the conference, students toured and learned more about Towson. The program is part of the Towson University-Baltimore County Public Schools Model United Nations program.

Hayley Ressler and Aparna Joshi, St. Charles social studies teachers, are advisors of the Spartans team. Liam McCammon, a social studies teacher, is the sponsor of North Point’s team.

Earlier this year, both teams visited Towson for the Model UN Training Day which introduces students to what they can expect during the conference.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).