The Westfield High School Model United Nations joined students from New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts at the Model United Nations Conference in Hershey, PA from Jan. 10 to 12, where they received multiple honors, including the Premier Delegation Award.
The Premier Delegation Award is given to the delegates who perform best at the conference. This includes embodying the core values of the YMCA and completing required paperwork and preparation on time.
From Westfield High School, 162 students participated in the conference and several students received individual awards.
Co-advisor of the WHS Model UN, Daniel Farabaugh, said the students demonstrated tremendous skill, knowledge and passion.
“The delegation, as always, exceeded my expectations with the level of discourse and quality of their debate,” Farabaugh said. “The whole group carried themselves with grace and aplomb."
David Gruskin resevived the Premier Diplomat award, while Anthony Pirrone, Lucia Liu and Elizabeth Fox were awarded with Outstanding Country Research Paper. Additionally, Emily Holtzman, Eli Wirtshafter and Madeline Levy received awards for Outstanding First Year Delegate and Andrew Zale received an award for Outstanding Youth Secretariat.
Andrew Zale, Brian Mandel, Julia Napolitano, Samantha Gruskin and Astha Dutta have been chosen to attend the Conference on National Affairs, which is a where delegates from all 50 states participate in a simulation. That conference will take place this summer.
Julia Napolitano was this year’s presiding officer at the conference and Edward Dellarso was elected to serve as presiding officer in 2015.
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