To lay the foundation for a new Model United Nations (UN) program, St. John Paul II (JPII) Catholic High School hosted its first-ever Falcon Model UN Conference on Sept. 7, welcoming 106 delegates from six high schools, including James Clemens, Greene County, Helena, JPII, Randolph, and Thompson. During the conference, the delegates addressed the proliferation of nuclear weapons with a focus on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), while learning how to debate using parliamentary procedure, how to write and defend resolutions, and how to engage in consensus-building.

“We were hoping to start small with about thirty participants from JPII and participants from two or three high schools,” commented JPII Model UN Advisor Paul Saboe, who served as the committee chair.  “Instead, we ended up with nineteen percent of the JPII student population showing up and area schools reaching out to get involved. There is definitely a hunger for this type of diplomatic debate activity in the Huntsville area.” 

During the Closing Ceremony, many JPII students were recognized for their conference preparation and participation. Bridget Duffy earned Best Position Paper Awards for her research and position paper writing. While Michael Brainard, Monet Conrad, Sophia Evans, Alexandra Jodon, Sylvia Moreno, Trevor Ogunfowokan, Maria Sands-Pingot, and Savannah Whetstone received Best Position Paper Honorable Mention Awards.

"Receiving the Honorable Mention Award for my Position Paper was a deeply rewarding achievement that significantly enriched my Model UN experience,” noted junior Sylvia Moreno. “The opportunity to be recognized in various ways highlighted the diverse skills valued in the conference. I worked diligently researching my paper ahead of time and am thoroughly grateful for the valuable assistance that was available."

Caleb Albers, K.B. Allen, Bridget Duffy, Doug Murray, Treyvon Ogunfowokan, and Savannah Whetstone received Best Delegate Honorable Mention Awards for being among the delegates who best represented and advocated for their countries, while Caleb Albers was selected by his fellow delegates for the Delegate Choice Award

“When I received the Best Delegate Honorable Mention Award I was surprised because my country isn’t the largest or most important, but Model UN is truly what you make it and I’m glad I was able to make something out of it,” said sophomore Doug Murray. “Participating in the Falcon Conference was great. It was cool to see and meet so many new people that have an interest in this sort of thing.” 

“I was honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the Model UN Conference. It was an interesting and novel experience to discuss and consider the perspectives of so many different nations,” said junior Caleb Albers. “I am very thankful to all other delegates for choosing me for the Delegates Choice Award. I was fortunate to have represented a nation that took a unique position on the topic at hand, and that allowed me to make a unique and distinguishing argument.”

The JPII Model UN Team will participate in the 3rd Annual Auburn Model UN Conference in November of this year and will then organize and host a Spring Falcon Model UN Conference on Saturday, March 1, 2025. “During our Spring Conference, we will see the JPII students serving as the Committee Chairs. We will expand to two committees with different topics and open the conference to all area high school students and middle school students,” said JPII Model UN Advisor Paul Saboe. “We want to offer this academic opportunity to as many area students as possible as we continue to grow and build our Model UN program.”