5 Port Chester Students Attend Model UN Conference

PORT CHESTER, NY — Five students from Port Chester High School — seniors Karmen Pantoja and Larabe Iqbal, sophomores Ryan Basso and Eli Taylor-Lemire, and freshman Jonathan Cisneros — attended a recent Model UN conference held at John Jay High School in Armonk.

The students were selected from the PCHS Model UN Club after a month and half of research and presentations, according to co-club advisors Joseph Gilson and Porfirio Gonzowtiz, both PCHS teachers, according to a district spokeswoman.

The club was initiated at the school in October and the students plan to participate in additional competitions this year.

At the competition, the students tackled a number of complex issues:

• Larabe Iqbal represented Pakistan for the International Court of Justice Committee. This committee examined conflicts between the U.S. and Iran, U.S. and Mexico, and Russia and Crimea.
• Eli Taylor-Lemire represented Tanzania for the World Health Organization. This committee examined coordinating international responses to epidemics of the 21st century, and building infrastructure in developing countries
• Karmen Pantoja represented John Paul Jones for the American Revolution Crisis Committee. This committee reenacted the problems leading to the American Revolution.
• Ryan Basso represented Russell Westbrook for the National Basketball Association Committee. This committee discussed the current conflicts with the NBA Labor Negotiations.
• Jonathan Cisneros represented Bob Ogden for the Ministry of Magic Committee. Based on the Harry Potter series, this committee determined how the use of magic could be used between Muggles and Non-Muggles.

Karmen Pantoja received an award at the end of the competition for the best position paper.

Model UN is an educational simulation of the United Nations. In academic competitions, students learn about diplomacy, international relations and the workings of the United Nations. “Delegates” are placed in committees and assigned countries which they then represent, researching topics and formulating positions that they then debate with their fellow delegates.

Photo caption: From left, Jonathan Cisneros, Ryan Basso, Eli Taylor-Lemire, Karmen Pantoja and Larabe Iqbal. Photo credit: Port Chester School District.