TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (February 22, 2012) - Tallahassee Community College’s Model United Nations (Model UN) hosted its 16th annual Tallahassee Southern High School Model United Nations Conference (TSMUN) on Friday, February 17 at Florida State University’s Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center.

Two hundred eighty students from 17 high schools across the state participated in a day of political debates dealing with international conflict and resolution.  Each year, TSMUN provides the opportunity for middle school and high school students to participate in international dialogue by taking on the role of foreign diplomats within the United Nations.

The conference, organized and staffed by TCC’s Model UN students, consisted of extensive research dealing with international economic and political issues chosen and researched by TCC participants.  In addition to the conference day activities, TCC’s Model UN students traveled to participating high schools, where they held workshops and trained both high school students and faculty advisors.

This year, the General Assembly Plenary, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Security Council were simulated.  The simulations allowed participating students the opportunity to discuss current global issues, create resolutions to international matters, and participate in diplomatic debate.

WHS Model UN Sponsor (and History teacher) Ms. Shelby Williams took a group of 18 delegates to the conference.  The group came home with several awards, including Best Position Paper in Security Council for Allison Metcalf, Honorable Delegation for South Africa, and Distinguished Delegation for China and Turkey.  WHS Senior Jessica Olive received a full scholarship to Tallahassee Community College.  

"It was a great day for our delegates," said Williams.  "This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be able to immerse themselves in the workings of the United Nations by simulating real world issues."  Williams added that WHS Model UN Seniors Zach Azzarito, Jessica Olive, and Caroline Gimello-Venturi will be missed next year.

For the past 16 years, the TSMUN conference  has served as an excellent recruitment tool to bring some of the best local high school students to Tallahassee Community College, offering an opportunity to gain knowledge of international affairs as well as offering two-year scholarships to students who wish to participate in Model UN on a collegiate level.

This year’s keynote speaker for opening ceremonies was Mark Schlakman, J.D., the senior program director for the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights at FSU and previously the Foreign Affairs Officer for the U.S. Department of State and Alternate Representative for the United States’ Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States.

For more information on TCC’s Model UN, contact Dr. Richard Murgo at (850) 201-8145 or Dr. Thomas Waller at (850) 201-8159.

Pictured:  Wakulla High School Model UN Delegates

Front Row (L to R):  Carson Strickland, Emily Westmark, Alyssa Schubert, Zach Heydenreich, Terry Wilkins, Zack Azzarito

Back Row (L to R):  Rami McIver, Melissa Gentry, Annalise Torres, Allison Metcalf, Gil Damon, Maryana Boatenreiter, Natalie Crum, WHS Model UN Sponsor Ms. Shelby Williams, Jake Hunter, Devin Crockett, Jessica Olive, Rebekah Fielder and Caroline Gimello-Venturi

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