Wooster Model UN team records successful year

The College of Wooster’s Model United Nations team capped off a successful 2022-23 year with impressive results at the National Model United Nations Conference in April. Representing Ukraine at the New York event, the Wooster team was named an Outstanding Delegation, the highest ranking for a team. In addition, Sam Peppers ’25 and first-year Maddie Veitch ’26 were named Outstanding Delegates as representatives on the General Assembly First Committee. Carrie Buckwalter ’24, team vice president and incoming team president, was the team’s head delegate for this conference.

“Going to the United Nations General Assembly this year and finding out we won Outstanding Delegation for Ukraine was incredible,” said Buckwalter, a political science and psychology double major and a recipient of the Wooster Model UN Leadership Award, which recognizes first-year Wooster applicants who demonstrate leadership and growth through their high school Model UN experiences and intend to continue to do so at Wooster. “In general, going to the United Nations General Assembly Hall is one of the coolest moments of my life, and doing it surrounded by some of my closest friends made it so much more special.”

Veitch, who plans to major in global and international studies and also received the merit award this year, was honored to be recognized at the conference in her first year. “It helped validate that this is something that I am good at and enjoy doing. Additionally, it encouraged me to continue Model UN at Wooster, and for that I am really grateful.”

At the November 2022 American Model United Nations in Chicago, the team represented Brazil and returned with three award-winning representatives. Buckwalter, who teamed with Elise Jones ’24, was recognized for representation on Historical Security Council. Two first-year members, Veitch and Nemsie Gonzalez ’26 received awards for representation on the Committee of Experts on Public Administration and General Assembly Second Committee, respectively. Gonzalez teamed with Sammy Amier ’26 and Veitch teamed with Rayan dos Passos ’25.

Peppers, a global and international studies major and Model UN Leadership Award recipient, recalled a lesson learned in persistence at a Model UN event in the fall. Their team had a major setback when someone in committee sabotaged Wooster’s document. The team fixed the problem and came back to get the document passed. “It taught me if you have a good team and are persistent in the face of adversity, you can make the best of a bad situation and turn it to an advantage.”

Team advisor Kent Kille, professor of political science and global & international studies, said “The team’s research, critical thinking, and public speaking skills were really put to the test this year representing two very different countries, but their great success reinforces how well a College of Wooster education prepares students in these areas.” He also acknowledged the support provided by Mae Evans, associate director of stewardship, who traveled with the team and handled team forms and paperwork, and Nat McCoy, academic affairs coordinator, who provided administrative support from academic affairs to manage registration and travel. Their assistance allowed the team to focus on preparing and participating at the conference.

For Peppers, Model UN has provided a foundation of learning about countries and perspectives. “Debating from a perspective alien to your own is a great way to get a better understanding of the world.” He also learned persistence. “It has taught me, that if you are well-researched, confident, friendly, open to others’ ideas, and are willing to get up after a fall, you will often triumph in the face of adversity.”

“Model UN is the cornerstone of my Wooster experience,” Buckwalter said. “It not only teaches you about global issues but also about people and how to make the world a better place. It has taught me so many life skills that I will continue to use throughout my future career.”

Pictured at the American Model United Nations Conference, fall 2022 in Chicago, are (back row) Abby Thomson ’24, Elise Jones ’24, Hannah Eastman ’24, Carrie Buckwalter ’24), Noa Davny ’24, Maddie Veitch ’26, (middle row) Nurain Amier ’26, Madison Mycoff ’24, Holly Shaum ’24, Henry Pellegrin ’23, (front row) Nemsie Gonzalez ’26, Samantha Jones ’25, Shaunta Palmer ’25, Thomas Pitney ’24, and Rayan Dos Passos ’25.

Posted in News on May 4, 2023.