Students excel in Model UN event

The University of North Georgia (UNG) had multiple students from its Dahlonega and Gainesville Model United Nations (UN) teams contribute a strong performance at the Southeast Regional Model United Nations conference in Atlanta in November. UNG students won: 

• Best Delegate — General Assembly Plenary — France (Carlee Blankenship and Madeline Lindell). 
• Best Delegate — General Assembly Plenary — Vietnam (Zachary Furbush and Reece Tharpe). 
• Outstanding Position Paper — Group of 20 — France (Orla Fennell). 
• Delegation Award for Outstanding Position Paper — Singapore (Dylan Gearin, Claudia Marban and Geeson Senat). 
• Delegation Award for Outstanding Position Paper — France (Blankenship, Tim Chamblee, Fennell, Austin Gazaway, Sara Gonzalez, Dominick Ledesma, Lindell, and Gianna Torretta). 

Blankenship, a December graduate from Dalton, Georgia, with a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration, said the Model UN class and club spurred growth for her. It was also valuable experience in preparing her to be a student speaker at commencement in December.

"It's helped me learn to speak to other people in a way that helps lead them to action," Blankenship, vice president of Model UN on UNG's Dahlonega Campus, said. "It's a way to work on multifaceted problems with a collaborative approach." 

Jessica Case, a junior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in international affairs with a European concentration, was taking part in the regional Model UN event for the fourth time. She served on the conference staff for the first time after competing in previous events. Case, president of Model UN on the Dahlonega Campus, aspires to work for the United Nations or the U.S. State Department.  

"Model UN teaches you a lot of skills like negotiation and diplomacy," Case said. "It prepares you for jobs in the government or the private sector. It's a great networking opportunity. I've met a lot of people through it."

Fatima Santillan, a junior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science and a minor in economics, was part of the Gainesville Campus team UNG sent to the regional Model UN event. She said the experience had a major impact. 

"Through the conference, I strengthened my public speaking skills and learned to think on my feet," Santillan said. "This is a very valuable skill that I will continue to grow for the rest of my academic and professional career as an immigration attorney." 

Dr. Bibek Chand and Dr. Jon Miner serve as faculty advisers for Model UN.