Written by Kinsey Throne
On Thursday, September 24th, the Algona High School Model United Nations, Model UN, team had their first conference and competed at NIACC in Mason City. Six new members jumped right in with the 13 returning members. All 18 AHS students prepared position papers, representing the following countries: Spain, Nigeria, and Iraq. The papers discussed issues regarding economics, politics, sociality, science, and technology. Delegate Catherine Hart states, “It was an eye-opening experience to be able to speak on the same level as other intelligent people.”
Out of the 18 AHS students who competed at NIACC, five were selected as outstanding delegates. Outstanding delegates must possess strong skills of leadership, communication, preparation, and diplomacy. Abby Lampe, Karsyn Bailey, Kinsey Throne, Triston Fillingim, and Catherine Hart were all selected as outstanding delegates in their respective committees. Abby Lampe and Karsyn Bailey represented AHS in the scientific committee, discussing how to develop an international framework for managing transboundary aquifers and river basins. In the economic committee, Kinsey Throne, Triston Fillingim, and Catherine Hart were selected as outstanding delegates for discussing the targeting of energy resources during conflict.
The next Model UN conference that AHS will be attending is the Iowa Youth Symposium, held on October 28th and 29th at the state capital in Des Moines.