USCHS students excel at Model UN event

Fourteen USC students participated in the event, which boasted more than 200 students from a dozen schools from throughout the region.

The event included both competitive and noncompetitive events, designed to provide opportunities for learning and growth within the MUN program. Upper St. Clair students were led by Thomas Yochum, gifted coordinator at the high school.

Within the competitive events, Anoushka Barve, representing Germany, was named a Best Delegate in the NATO room.

“Best Delegate is the highest possible distinction in a MUN simulation,” Mr. Yochum said. “Anoushka was one of only two students awarded this honor at the conference.”

In addition, four Upper St. Clair students were named Honorable Delegates. Robert Elliot, representing Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Lylah Kateeb, representing Austria, each received Honorable Delegate commendations from the judges for their preparedness and performance in debating the Dayton Accords. Isabel Vilensky was named an Honorable Delegate in representing the United States on the UN Security Council. Carlee Santel, representing Iceland, was named an Honorable Delegate. Roshan Mishra and Will Whitman also participated in these committees.

“Overall, USCHS was the most decorated among all local high schools, with top three finishers in each of the competitive committees,” Mr. Yochum said.

MUN participants were judged on accurate representation of a country's policy, use of parliamentary rules, participation in unmoderated caucus, diplomatic composure and respect, and total contribution to the proceedings.

“I am extremely proud of the time and effort these students put forth in researching international issues and geopolitical positions,” Mr. Yochum said. “Participants are not allowed to use technology in the committee rooms, so our delegates spent hours in advance of the conference to prepare notes and opinions relevant to their countries & topics.

The event included a chance for new members to participate in novice events, representing delegations in the World Health Organization, UN Refugee Agency (UNHRC), the International Organization for Migration, and the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM). Representing Upper St. Clair in these events were Michaela Pacella, Krishna Sathya Vagheeswar, Sidarth Nambiar, Maria Alfredson-Themudo and Ava Liu.

“While no awards were part of this event, it provided exposure and a learning environment to students interested in getting more involved in MUN events,” Mr. Yochum said.

The MUN program requires students to use a variety of skills and knowledge from several disciplines.

“Our students’ professionalism and political savvy were evidenced by an ability to negotiate and broker policies at the MUN,” Mr. Yochum said. “Much credit to their dedication, and to Upper St. Clair High School's English and social studies departments in fostering the research, writing and speaking skills necessary to compete at this level.”