Five Amazing Wins at Harvard in Rome

Harvard has two categories for awards - Outstanding (first position) and Honorable Mention. Special congratulations go to the following five girls who won awards:

• Jaclyn Miller who won Outstanding as Germany on the EU (European Union)
• Jacqueline Ovsenek who won Outstanding as China on the WTO (World Trade Organization)
• Vanessa Cheng who won Outstanding as Algeria on the G15 (Group of 15)
• Eleanor Lee who won Honorable Mention as Belgium on the EU and
• Kristina Wong who won Honorable Mention as Eqypt on the G15.

Apart from the G15, these committees had from 40-60 delegates and therefore, they were very competitive. Both Jaclyn Miller and Eleanor Lee did extremely well considering they are only in Grade 10, the first year of their high school Model UN career. They have two more years to add such accomplishments to their resumes! Jacqueling Ovsenek accepted the position of China on the WTO after the organizers asked me if we had a strong and confident student to fill this role. Jacqueline, as China, did not have many allies on many occasions, so her win becomes sweeeter given the uphill battle. Lastly, it is wonderful that grade 12 students - Vanessa Cheng and Kristina Wong won awards at their last Model UN conference. They showed confidence, assertiveness and persistence from the very beginning.

All students enjoyed meeting, liaising on committees and talking to students from many parts of Europe and beyond. This is one of the most satisfying yet surreal aspects of the conference. To speak with students from Greece, France, England, the Netherlands, Croatioa, Jordan, Mauritius, Venezualia and Italy (of course) among other countries is a most fascinating, interesting and stimulating experience one could be given. As the students said, there is no other opportunity to get this educational experience other than at an international Model UN conference of this type.

I would also like to commend the entire group for their wonderful co-operation throughout the trip. This lovely group was cohesive, kind, helpful and joyful every day. It was wonderful that we had some time for sightseeing and certainly Rome never disappoints with the Vatican, the Colesseum, the Forum, the Parthenonand other ruins that dot the city. In addition, the group will not forget climbing to the top of the Duomo in Florence or the spectacular vistas in Switzerland. We had many laughs on this trip (how could you not when you have a Jacqueling Ovsenek and an Audrey Castillo in the batch?) but Mr. Coady and I would like to thank every student for making this trip so spectacular and enjoyable.