More than two dozen Texas State students participated in the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) competition held March 20th – 24th in Charlotte, NC. At the SRMUN competition, students debated numerous global topics ranging from combating the illicit trade of cultural artifacts and property to ensuring the accessibility and sustainability of urban transportation.
Approximately 600 students, comprising 85 delegations from 45 universities competed in the SRMUN competition. Participating universities included the University of Kentucky, Auburn University, North Carolina State University, Georgia Tech, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Appalachian State University. Texas State students represented the nations of the Italian Republic, the Republic of Peru, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and the Republic of Bulgaria at SRMUN. Representing Italy was Cadi Powers, Madison Buchanan, Reme Okasheh, Simon Kinski, Ethan Guinn, Gabbie Lindsay, and Sofia Hernandez. Peru was represented by Mike Grubbs, Robet Mancha, Sarah Benitz, Jorge Tamayo, Isabella Snyder, Emily Hanna, and Justin Williams. Meanwhile, Sandra Trujillo, Zoe Williams, Amber Gulamhusein, Thiago Rocha Leite, and Isabel Durate represented Bulgaria. Finally, Maddie Gau, Preston Love, Austin Wright, Nolan Ruhland, Braiden Touchette, Lillian Martinez, and Zack Estrada represented Bangladesh.
Texas State students, once again, performed extremely well at SRMUN. Highlighting our students’ accomplishments, the delegation representing Team Italy won Outstanding Delegation (1st Place Overall). This marks the seventh SRMUN competition in a row that Texas State has had at least one delegation placing in top three, with Texas State delegations finishing in first place in five of the last seven SRMUN competitions. Capping off her experience at SRMUN, Lillian Martinez, Texas State Political Science Sophomore, said that, “the SRMUN competition was a fantastic opportunity that helped me gain more exposure to the diplomatic process and pushed me to come up with speeches faster in the committees, ultimately making me gain more confidence in writing and speaking to persuade others.” Another political science sophomore, Braiden Touchette, commented that “SRMUN emphasized the importance of collaboration to cultivate unconventional and comprehensive solutions. It showed me how to lead a room towards innovative solutions, enhancing my confidence in delivering timely persuasive and provocative speeches.”
We can certainly be proud of our Texas State students.
The complete list of the awards and honors our received by Texas State students is as follows:
– Gabbie Lindsay and Sofia Hernanez
Best Delegate (1st Place in Committee), Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
– Ethan Guinn and Simon Kinski
Best Delegate (1st Place in Committee), United Nations Habitat Assembly.
– Ethan Guinn and Simon Kinski
Outstanding Position Paper (1st Place in Committee), United Nations Habitat Assembly.
– Gabbie Lindsay, Sofia Hernandez, Cadi Powers, Reme Okasheh, Ethan Guinn, Simon Kinski, and Madison Buchanan
Outstanding Delegation (1st Place Overall), Team Italy.
The Model United Nations (MUN) is an academic organization through which students learn how the United Nations operates by competing in student debate competitions, such as the Harvard National Model United Nations. In MUN, students study parliamentary debate, diplomacy, and current global issues. For additional information, email Prof. Ben Arnold (ca17@txstate.edu).
