Students play out politics Rebuilding Iraq, Guantanamo Bay among top

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 3, 2004 by Barbara Hollingsworth Capital-Journal

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

AWARD WINNERS

Students from eastern Kansas were recognized for their accomplishments at the 40th annual Topeka Model United Nations on Tuesday.

Best High School Delegation

First: Shawnee Heights U.S. delegation

Second: Washburn Rural French delegation

Third : Topeka High Russian delegation

Best High School Delegates

First: Lucas Lux, Topeka High

Second: Erin Risch, Shawnee Heights

Third: Jeannette Wong, Washburn Rural

Outstanding Officer

First: Joe Vossen, Shawnee Heights

Second: Pere Garlinghouse, Topeka High

Third: Bobby Owen, Washburn Rural

AWARD WINNERS

Best Middle School Delegation

First: Lawrence's Southwest Junior High Chilean delegation

Second: Lawrence's South Junior High School Romanian delegation

Third: Lawrence's Southwest Junior High Iceland delegation

Best Middle School Delegate

First: Sam Huneke, Southwest Junior High

Second: Deepyaman Datta, Southwest Junior High

Third: Anthony Frei, Southwest Junior High

By Barbara Hollingsworth

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Mexican delegates to the United Nations normally wouldn't be seen dancing around sombreros.

But in a costume contest at the 40th annual Topeka Model United Nations on Tuesday, the hat dance helped the delegation win first place.

"We threw it together pretty quick," said Harold Vilander, a senior at Emporia High School who was wearing a sombrero.

The Model United Nations event --- the largest in Kansas --- gave students a chance to tackle the world's problems in two days. The 700 delegates came from 56 high schools, middle schools and junior highs in eastern Kansas and met Monday and Tuesday at the Kansas Expocentre's Maner Conference Centre.

The problems they faced included the U.N.'s role in rebuilding Iraq and ending the use of children as soldiers. Resolutions ranged from serious to absurd.

"We had one that passed that all wars would be done through video games," said Ryan Naylor, a Shawnee Heights High School senior.

Naylor was part of the winning delegation from Shawnee Heights that represented the United States. Despite representing their own country, they said it was a difficult year to be the United States. Other delegates kept pushing U.S. delegates about detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the war in Iraq.

"We felt persecuted the entire time," said Robert Ralston, a Shawnee Heights senior. "It was hard to get up there and take positions basically against the entire council."

Still, Jared Anderson, a senior at Shawnee Heights, was successful in promoting a resolution for rebuilding Iraq.

"In my council, we passed a resolution that had the United Nations distribute humanitarian efforts and help build coalitions to distribute oil and allowed us to keep a military presence," he said, adding that France, represented by Washburn Rural High School, wasn't pleased.

The transformation worked well for him, as he was named the best delegate and Russia was awarded third-place delegation.

For many of the delegates, six months of preparation went into the event as they learned more about their assigned country's issues and priorities. The Model U.N. secretary general, Joe Vossen, said students learn parliamentary procedure, as well as knowledge of a country they likely haven't "stepped a foot in." And they learn how to speak assuredly.

"If you want to get anything done, you have to be impressive, confident," said Vossen, a Shawnee Heights senior.

Barbara Hollingsworth can be reached at 295-1285 or barbara. hollingsworth@cjonline.com.

ANTHONY S. BUSH/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Perry-Lecompton High School senior D.J. Zimmerman, right, representing Jamaica, holds up his placard to vote in General Assembly I of the 40th annual Topeka Model United Nations at the Kansas Expocentre. Zimmer was voted assembly president for one hour, but Secretary General Joe Vossen, of Shawnee Heights High School, vetoed the resolution.

Please see POLITICS, Page 4C

Continued from Page 1C

Politics: Delegates prepare for months