Texas State University Students participated in the 27th Annual Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) competition at Baylor University from November 10th-12th. 120 students from throughout the area competed including Baylor University, Angelo State University, St. Mary’s University, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Representing the nations of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, Texas State fielded a twenty-three-member delegation that competed in ESMOAS’ Summit of Americas competition.
- Madison Buchanan, Simon Kinski, Jose Rios, and Reme Okasheh represented Team Bolivia.
- Cadi Powers, Braiden Touchette, Lillian Martinez, Blaire Curley, and Amber Gulamhusein represented Team Peru.
- Gabbie Lindsay, Juliet Cano, Justin Williams, Ethan Guinn, Jorge Tamayo, and Alliyah Valera represented Team Ecuador.
- Representing Team Colombia was Sandra Trujillo, Emily Morgan, Matthew Koi, Austin White, and Tommey Morris represented Team Columbia.
Tay Williams, Ornella Fantoni, and Austin Mata were part of the student officer group for the ESMOAS competition.
Debating a host of topics, ranging from producing plans for sustainable cities to creating plans for confronting cybercrimes, Texas State students were able to gain skills and experiences that will benefit their future endeavors. Capping the overall experience, junior Political Science major, Gabbie Lindsay said, “I’m glad I was able to return to Waco for the Summit of the Americas. I had such an amazing time competing and debating and can’t wait for next year.”
Continuing its ongoing tradition, Texas State students won numerous awards. Highlights included Team Ecuador winning Distinguished Delegation; Ornella Fantoni winning the Outstanding Chair Award; Ethan Guinn winning the special Stegall & Frederick Diplomacy Award; Austin Mata winning the Award for Parliamentary Master; and Cadi Powers being elected Secretary General for the 28th ESMOAS competition next fall.
Of her election, Powers, a sophomore Political Science major and President of Texas State’s Model Organization of American States student group, commented that “competing at the ESMOAS Summit of the Americas offered our team the opportunity to enhance our political communication skills, while networking with students from other universities. I’m excited for the upcoming year serving as the ESMOAS Secretary General.”
Here is a complete list of the awards and honors our received by Texas State students:
Austin White – Selected to the Student Advisory Committee.
Tay Williams – Served as President of the 27th ESMOAS and Chair of the General Committee.
Ornela Fantoni – Served as Chair of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.
Austin Mata – Served as Assistant Secretary General.
Austin Mata – Served as Rapporteur of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.
Reme Okasheh – Distinguished Resolution (2nd Place in Committee), Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.
Simon Kinski – Recognized Resolution (3rd Place in Committee), Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.
Tommey Morris – Distinguished Delegate (2nd Place in Committee), Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.
Justin Williams – Distinguished Delegate (2nd Place in Committee), Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.
Juliet Cano – Outstanding Delegate (1st Place in Committee), Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs.
Gabbie Lindsay – Outstanding Delegate (1st Place in Committee), General Committee.
Madison Buchanan – Distinguished Delegate (2nd Place in Committee), General Committee.
Ornella Fantoni – Outstanding Chair (1st Place Overall).
Austin Mata – Award for Parliamentary Mastery (1st Place Overall).
Ethan Guinn – Stegall & Frederick Diplomacy Award (1st Place Overall).
Gabbie Lindsay, Ethan Guinn, Juliet Cano, Jorge Tamayo, Alliyah Valera, and Justin Williams (Team Ecuador) – Distinguished Delegation (2nd Place Overall).
Justin Williams – Selected as a Chairman for the 28th ESMOAS competition.
Cadi Powers – Elected as Secretary General for the 28th ESMOAS competition.
