Recently 20 Fuqua School students, alongside students from Appomattox County High School, Prince Edward County High School, Fork Union Military Academy and Cumberland County High School, met at Hampden-Sydney College to participate in the 2019 Southside Virginia Model United Nations conference.

The Model U.N., a nationwide, student-led program that imitates the United Nations General Assembly, gives students the opportunity to learn the functions and responsibilities of the General Assembly and employ research, critical thinking and public speaking skills as they participate. Student pairs represent selected countries. They debate current global issues and work through potential diplomatic solutions to those problems. This year, Fuqua students represented the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Venezuela, Zambia, Nicaragua, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Georgia and the Netherlands.

Over the course of the three days, representatives discussed assistance for victims of chemical warfare, creating a new international drug strategy, and providing vaccines to impoverished areas. The assembly witnessed some great, heated debates between delegations. Fuqua Senior Irene Thornton stated, “I’ve been involved with Model U.N. since my sophomore year, and it has been one of the best experiences ever! Also, having the chance to act as a secretary-general with fellow Fuqua students Christian Huggard and Roman Davis was an incredible opportunity. With Model U.N., I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned about international politics and apply it to various classes I’ve taken. Hopefully, I will be able to participate in a Model U.N. and take more classes on international politics in college.”

Following the final session, awards were given to the delegations for their outstanding participation. The Syrian delegation from Fuqua School, represented by Nicholas Johnson and Roman Davis, finished in third place and was honored with the title of Honorable Mention. The Saudi Arabian delegation from Fuqua School, represented by George Magnotti and Christian Huggard, finished in second place and was honored with a Best Delegation Award. The Great Britain delegation, also from Fuqua School, represented by Margaret Grace Patterson and Irene Thornton, finished in first place and was honored with an Outstanding Delegation Award.