Model United Nations

6 Masonites Earn Commendations
at Hylton High's MUN Conference

By Margaret Lipman (December 20, 2004)

Nearly 20 Masonites traveled to C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, V.A., to participate in last weekend’s Prince William Model United Nations Conference XXI, where they strengthened their knowledge of foreign policy and world affairs, as well as their negotiatory acumen.

Although GM was not awarded any of the top prizes of the conference, six students received verbal commendation for their skill in their respective committees.  Freshmen Soorya Namboodiri and Lydia Fairfax received this recognition as delegates in the Commission for Crime Prevention and Social Justice, as did freshmen Peter Davis and Michael Costello in the World Bank, and seniors Jonathan Byers and Lara Murray in the Organization of American States.   The members of the George Mason Model United Nations Club, which is sponsored by Ms. Tammy Chincheck and Ms. Eurica Chang, represented the nations of Canada and Benin at the conference.  Committees included the Status of Women; the National Security Council; the International Law Commission; the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee; the U.N. Security Council; the Disarmament and International Security Committee; the Russian and Iranian Cabinets; and a host of others.

Junior Laura Shu, freshman Lydia Fairfax (a verbal commendation recipient), and sophomore Catherine Duarte wait expectantly during PWMUN XXI's closing ceremonies. (Photo by Margaret Lipman)

Adding to the exciting--and very realistic--atmosphere of the conference, the Hylton Secretariat ably provided the committees with several “crises” -- fabricated events designed to further challenge the delegates’ abilities to think quickly and improvise reasonable, workable, and appealing solutions to difficult situations.  One such crisis, involving a string of terrorist activities originating from Chechnya, resulted in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s passage of a resolution that deployed NATO special forces to the region.  Reflecting the inescapable consequences of faulty policy decisions, the passage of this resolution resulted in a heated altercation between the NATO delegates and several members of the Russian Cabinet. The PWMUN XXI Conference was attended by over 900 students representing 33 schools.  That was one more school than had registered for the conference held several weeks prior at the University of Virginia, Secretary General Daniel Hillenbrand proudly announced during Friday’s opening ceremonies.

Sophomore Tiffany Huyser represented Canada in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at last weekend's Prince William Model United Nations Conference XXI.  (Photo by Margaret Lipman)

To all appearances, this year’s conference seemed to be just as successful as its predecessors, with knowledgeable and experienced chairpersons heading each committee; timely and challenging crises; and dedicated, committed, and involved student delegates adding to the conference’s distinguished reputation.