Minford Students Experience Global Connections
Lori Rolfe, Talented and Gifted Teacher and Jessica Fairley, High School Math Teacher for Minford Local Schools, recently had seventeen Minford High School Students participate in Sr. Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) in Columbus at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Each year over 2,000 students from throughout the state participate in Ohio’s largest global education program. Sr. OMUN is sponsored by Ohio Leadership Institute in order to help Ohio’s young people develop a greater understanding of world issues, global connections and international understanding, while focusing on the United Nations, the world’s largest peace keeping and humanitarian organization.
During the three day event delegates from member nations presented and debated originally written resolutions following weeks of intense research. Delegates select a nation and represent that nation during the lively three day simulation. Students are involved in extensive research, writing resolutions, developing support for their resolutions, learning debate procedures and preparing to represent their nation in council sessions and in front of the OMUN general assembly.
In addition to the OMUN simulation and global experience, students are involved in numerous global education contests during the event. Students serve as leaders of the simulation and are eligible for numerous contest and leadership awards during the event. Students also attend and International Summit and end the event with an International Celebration.
Participating from Minford were, Levi Munn, Ethan Lawson, Tyler Gains, and Austin Riffe represented the country of Niger. Samantha George, Shana Lawhorn, Amanda Runyon, Brandy Martin, and Autumn Ward representing Bulgaria. Lauren Coriell, Jacelyn Thornsberry, Lora Fuhrmann, Kamryn Sparks, and Jessica Reed representing Canada. And Abby Fuhrmann, Cody Martin, and Olivia Thoroughman represented Iran.
All participating schools present their resolution in their council sessions and only the top well written, presented, and debated resolutions make it in to general assembly on the second day of this event. Out of 167 resolutions only 44 went on to present during the General Assembly and Minford had one of those resolutions. Lauren Coriell, Jacelyn Thornsberry, Lora Fuhrmann, Kamryn Sparks, and Jessica Reed representing Canada presented their resolution, author speech, answered questions, and gave their closing remarks in front of an audience of over 1250 students and adults.
During the award ceremony Minford students were well represented with Amanda Runyon and Levi Munn both receiving one of the only twenty medals given out for Outstanding Leaders. Also the girls representing Canada received one of only 15 trophies for Outstanding resolution.
The Sr. OMUN is a program set up for 9-12 grade students and is also run by senior students themselves that have been elected into office. Last year at the Sr OMUN they held elections to vote for this year’s officers. Minford’s Jonas Drew Smith was elected as President. He served as Council President for Economic and Social Council D during this year’s program.
Minford was well represented during the Sr. OMUN by all the delegates. Congratulations to all the students for a job well done.
Ohio Leadership Institute conducts the Jr. OMUN for students in grades 6-8, the Sr. OMUN for students in grades 9-12, as well as, summer residential leadership camps for students in grades K-12. For more information about these leadership building programs for Ohio’s youth visit the Institute’s web site at wwww.ohioLeader.com or call toll free at 1-888-878-LEAD to request more information.
