Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

11/27/06
Story by Peggy Graham
 
 JCCC Model U.N. Team Wins Award
 
 OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College Model United Nations team won an Outstanding Delegation award for its portrayal of Spain and Portugal Nov. 18-21 at the 2006 American Model United Nations Conference, Chicago.             
 
 Sixteen JCCC students competed against other university and college students from across North and South America. Representing Spain were Brandon Bezner, vice president, Overland Park; Nicholas DeCamp, Merriam; Morgan Honnold, Kansas City, Mo.; Barry Hersh, Lenexa; Robert Peckham, Lenexa; Jon Roby, Overland Park; Christine Traner, vice president, Lawrence; Thomas Waldorf, Overland Park; and Rachel Young, president, Leawood. Representing Portugal were Calvin Baumgarten, Olathe; Estefania Bruzzone, Lenexa; Christina Hentzen, Kansas City, Mo.; John D. Rowe, Overland Park; David Smith, Lawrence; Katie Taloney, Overland Park; and Kaori Wakabayashi, Eudora. The team adviser is Brian Wright, JCCC associate professor, political science, Warrensburg, Mo.
 
 Model United Nations allow students to understand the international issues at the United Nations and at the same time build skills in public speaking and diplomacy. More than 1,500 students participated in this conference, proposing resolutions dealing with world issues. The issues discussed ranged from peace-keeping and human rights to economic development and the plight of children. The conference is helping students to further understand global issues and international relations. This forum allows students to discuss global concerns in an environment that is similar to that of the United Nations.
 
 The JCCC Model U.N. team is planning to attend the Midwest Model United Nations Feb. 20-24, 2007, in St. Louis, where the team will represent Greece and Tanzania. In addition JCCC will attend the National Model U.N. Conference held March 17-24, 2007, at the United Nations, N.Y., where they will represent France.