Best Delegate Win at UCONN
Dressed in fashionable business attire, a host of students from high schools all across the northeastern United States engaged in heated debates at the annual University of Connecticut Model United Nations conference November 8-10, 2019. These student delegates, which included DMAE’s formidable Model UN team, discussed real and trending global issues in their respective committees, such as improving HIV/AIDS education worldwide.
“The high point for me was watching people who had never been on an overnight trip grow out of their comfort zone,” advisor Mindy Rochman said.
The delegates, consisting of both new and returning members, refined speaking skills as they articulated arguments and allowed compromises in ways that would benefit their “countries.” They also learned how to cooperate with their committees and other delegates. Though it takes confidence and daring, these skills come with time and freshmen often admit to having butterflies in their stomachs both in the debates and when meeting new people.
“At first, it was intimidating because everyone was dressed formally and I was nervous to talk,” freshman Woozoo Han reflected.
The entire DMAE Model UN team worked hard to be effective and compassionate leaders and delegates. Senior Brian Lee was even named Best Delegate for his committee. In the end, they had a very fruitful experience.
“I was genuinely surprised to hear my name called for Best Delegate during the awards ceremony. It was really nice to have my whole Model UN team behind me during the ceremony,” Brian Lee said.
With the feeling of butterflies flying away and the satisfaction of this rewarding experience settling in, the DMAE Model UN team plans to stay active for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The team travels to Delaware for its next conference in March.
![Photo of Soojin Kim](https://www.maroontribune.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Soojin-Kim-371x475.jpg)
Soojin Kim is a senior in the Law and Public Safety Academy and a fourth-year member of the Maroon Tribune. In addition to being Co-Editor-in-Chief of...