BROWNWOOD – December 11, 2017 – Howard Payne University recently competed at the Northwest Model United Nations Conference in Seattle, Washington, winning the Distinguished Delegation Award, second place for overall team performance.
Model United Nations takes current world issues and asks students, who represent various countries as delegates, to try to solve them through diplomatic means. Students learn the art of diplomacy through caucusing, writing position papers and presenting in formal settings, all while following the model of the United Nations.
In her role as the Delegate of Japan, Lainee Hasty, junior Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and psychology major from Runaway Bay, won Outstanding Delegate. This is the highest award achievable on the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development committee.
Emma Reed, junior Honors Academy and family studies major from Arlington, serves as HPU’s head delegate, while Joel Justice, senior Honors Academy and history major from Brownwood, serves as co-delegate. Other HPU representatives at the conference included Alex Bingham, sophomore Bible major from Bridge City; Jessica Catlett, junior Honors Academy and social work major from Alleyton; Joshua Dykes, senior Honors Academy and youth ministry major from Mount Pleasant; Caleb Kostreva, junior Honors Academy and social science global studies major from Clifton, Colorado; Charles Lewis, sophomore Honors Academy and social science jurisprudence major from Boerne; Andie McCoy, junior Honors Academy and social studies composite major from Whitehouse; and Penny Stehlik, sophomore Honors Academy, English and social science global studies major from Round Rock.
Dr. Kevin Kelley, associate professor of psychology and chair of HPU’s Department of Psychology and Family Studies, serves as adviser for the Model United Nations team.
“Given the need for diplomacy in our current climate, I am very excited that HPU is building the next generation of ambassadors for peace,” he said. “Emma Reed and Joel Justice have done an excellent job leading their team to another victory. Lainee Hasty, just as she did last spring in Milan, Italy, took another Best Delegate Award. I am proud of everyone.”
###
Cutline: HPU’s Model United Nations team recently competed at the Northwest Model United Nations Conference in Seattle, Washington. Back row, from left: Alex Bingham, Charles Lewis, Joshua Dykes and Jessica Catlett. Front row, from left: Penny Stehlik, Andie McCoy, Joel Justice, Emma Reed, Lainee Hasty and Caleb Kostreva.