Centennial Students Win Awards at Model United Nations Conference

ROSWELL, GA -- The Centennial High School Model United Nations team recently participated in a weekend of debate and diplomacy at the 13th annual Vanderbilt University Model UN Conference.

The prestigious event, held Nov. 4-6 on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, is attended by high school students from across the globe.

Thirteen committees were offered at the event, mirroring topics that the United Nations is currently debating, such as the fight against Zika in the World Health Organization, access to potable water in the Social and Humanitarian Council, and restructuring the Constitution in the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

The conference also offered a range of higher level crisis committees in which delegates were immersed into interactive simulations designed to foster group problem solving and crisis management. Topics included convening the League of Nations to institute peace after World War I, the United States' resources in 2056 in the White House Task Force, and the fight against ISIS in the Security Council.

This was the first year Centennial attended the highly competitive event at Vanderbilt.

“We had a successful conference, especially given that it was our first time attending it and we did not know what to expect,” said senior and student teacher, Mason Gay. “We brought students with a variety of experience in Model UN to this event, including nine students from our new International Affairs class which is taught by four senior members of the team.”

The Centennial High School team had five award winners including Outstanding Delegate for Rogan Foulis, Verbal Commendation for Conner Evans and Honorable Mention for Riley Busbee, Grace Truax, and Alexandra Chapman.

Chad Hoge, Model UN coach and AP history and international relations teacher at Centennial, chose this conference because he knew some other tough schools would be in attendance.

“The event was great and definitely presented some real challenges for our kids,” said Hoge. “This is one we will plan to attend again in the future.”

The Centennial High School Model UN team is a leader in the nation and the only school in Georgia named in the top 150 Model UN programs. It is part of a strong international education program offered by the school, including its International Skills Diploma Seal, International Relations course, world language curriculum and robust foreign exchange program. Centennial is also on its way to becoming the only International Baccalaureate school in the Fulton County Northeast Learning Community.

Photo 1: The 2016-2017 Centennial High School Model UN team concludes a successful conference in Nashville, TN.

Photo 2: Delegates in the World Health Organization voting on Zika prevention policy. Centennial students Will McCall, Alex Larsen, and Elija Medwed are seated in the front row.

Photo 3: CHS delegate Conner Craddell (center) prepares his final remarks in the Social and Humanitarian Committee.

Photo 4: Centennial conference award winners. Left to right: Rogan Foulis (Outstanding Delegate), Grace Truax (Honorable Mention), Riley Busbee (Honorable Mention), Connor Evans (Verbal Commendation) and Alexandra Chapman (Honorable Mention).

Photo 5: Alexandra Chapman presents her position at the Vanderbilt University MUN.

Photo credits: Centennial High School