22 Columbus High and Middle School students participated and won 9 awards in the 5th Vermont School Model United Nations (VESMUN) from March 1-3.

TCS has a popular Model U.N. program which encourages students to become global citizens and develop social and political skills useful for their futures. By debating and proposing solutions to world problems, students acquire higher critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

“The U.N. program is magnificent, it develops communicative and problem solving skills. Therefore, students should participate at least once in their life,” Erika Atehortua, Columbus School Model United Nations (COSMUN) sponsor, said.

Nine students won awards, of which five were for outstanding delegate. Best portfolio, best orator, and best speech awards were also part of Columbus School’s haul of awards.

“I won best speech in the Education, Science, and Culture(UNESCO) committee. The main idea was the preservation of cultural heritage,” Santiago Urrea, 9th grader, said.

There was at least one TCS student in each committee, and never had the school taken so many delegates to another Model U.N.

“We were really united, it’s the first time TCS has acted as a delegation, we really put some thought into this,” Alejandro Gómez, 10th grader, said.

Columbus School students represented  the countries of Iran, United Kingdom, South Korea, Colombia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and United States. David Toledo served as the delegate assigned to the Colombian Crisis Cabinet (GAC).

“I represented United Kingdom in the Special Politics and Decolonization (SPECPOL) committee. Therefore, I was really involved and felt I had many chances to participate,” Paloma Urrea, 9th grader, said.

Students were assigned to their committees, each dealing with different world problems, based on their level of experience. Their goal was to come up with plans and ideas to solve those problems.

“I’m a president in COSMUN so I got an important country and committee at VESMUN,” Gómez said.

VESMUN staff was pleased with the amount and quality of participation TCS students showed and are looking forward to COSMUN 2017.

“We were very happy with TCS participation and we feel very grateful for the vow of trust given to us by choosing VESMUN V, ” Rafael Araque, VESMUN sponsor, said.

According to their web page(vesmun.org), VESMUN is a United Nations simulation where students on learn about current events, issues of international relations, and diplomacy. Participants should enhance their research/oral and argumentative skills by the work they are required to do.

“VESMUN is more than just a model, it’s a chance to grow as a person and reach a level of leadership essential for a successful future,” Araque said.

Students got more than an enriching academic experience out of VESMUN, they met people with similar interests, expanding their social circle and improving their social skills.

“We made a lot of friends from different schools and cities, who we invited to COSMUN 2017,”Gómez said.