LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 8, 2009)—Over 30 students, under the guidance of Scott Russell and Michael Denny, participated in the 32nd Annual Model United Nations Conference sponsored by Old Dominion University in late Feb. The conference was a student-directed simulation that examined real-world issues confronting the global community such as national security, economic interdependence, and humanitarian concerns.
For this simulation, students represented an array of nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Chopticon High School students assumed the role of delegates for the Russian Federation and Oxfam International. Leonardtown High School students represented the United Kingdom, Jordan, Spain, the Russian Federation, and Amnesty International.
Students from both schools earned numerous awards and honors including Chopticon High School earning the Jean Bernard Gazarian Award for Diplomacy, and Leonardtown High School receiving recognition for the Secretary General's Award for Outstanding Delegation. In addition to these awards, there were over ten honors awarded for outstanding group and individual achievements.
Participants included: Nick Boyd, James Cawley, Jessica Cooke, Daniel Carmack, Mike Cross, Kyle DeMarr, Clare Duffy, Christian Erk, Rachel Fiske, Julie Gould, Casey Hall, Shannon Hall, Mikayla Hellwich, Nicole Howard, Julia Keates, Tanner Kellogg, Allison Kvien, Amy Kvien, Megan Long, Olivia McQuilkin, Mayowa Ojo, Chris Pasch, Nicole Rongione, Sarah Rosch, Brendan Runde, Richard Selby, Henrique dosSantos, Hannah Schneider, Will Stone, Hannah Spalding, Robin Stewart, Dezarai Thompson, Jared Walker, Madison Webb, Zachary Werrell, and Logan Wright.
Many of the students are enrolled in Global Diplomacy. This course uses inquiry-based instruction to examine historical and current attempts, and international diplomatic efforts to solve problems. It also develops an awareness of global collectivism and the need for global cooperation. Current ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students can enroll in Global Diplomacy and participate in an engaging learning environment that tackles real-world problems.