March 13, 2019—Congratulations to the 125 Woodbury and Middle School students who represented 18 nations at the Ohio Leadership Institute’s Junior Ohio Model UN Conference in Columbus, March 10-March 12. OMUN is a three-day global education simulation experience that allows students in Grades 5-8 to learn about the complete operations of the United Nations and its role as the world’s largest international peacekeeping and humanitarian organization. More than 1,000 students from across the State of Ohio competed in the conference, which emphasizes leadership development and global-mindedness.

 

"Year after year, Shaker Heights Schools students excel at the Model UN Conference. This year was no exception," says Interim Superintendent Stephen M. Wilkins. "Job well done by our students and by their fine advisors." 

 

The following students competed and earned recognition at the Ohio Model United Nations conference: 

Outstanding Leader Award (Woodbury)
Ezra Ellenbogen
Nation: Qatar

Outstanding Leader Award (Woodbury)
B’lise Bradley
Nation: Malaysia

Outstanding Leader Award (Middle School)
Hazel Smith
Nation: Oman

Outstanding Leader Award (Middle School)
Cami Blaszak
Nation: Moldova

Outstanding Delegate Award (Middle School)
Thalya Payton
Nation: New Zealand

Outstanding Resolution (Middle School)
Nate Abbott, Charlie Bartels, Ezaiyah Jolly, Andre Poggio, Adrik Dutta, & Johnathan Kallergis
Nation: Venezuela

Peace Essay Contest Runner-Up (Middle School)
Mythili Ungarala
Nation: New Zealand

Global Agenda Issues Contest Runner-Up (Middle School)
Anna Helwig
Nation: Oman

Additionally, the nation of Argentina (Jasmine Hsich, Cece Grimberg, Amelia Raymond, Sam Jalics, Audrey Stein, & Matilda Spadoni) raised funds in support of the International Outreach program: I-OPEN (International Outreach Program for Education in Nigeria) and were given the I-OPEN award.  

Finally, the following students were elected into various offices and will help to lead the OMUN 2020 conference as 9th graders:

 

Anastasia Halliburton: Secretary General
Ella Szalay: Council President
Parker Roeder: Council President

 

Woodbury OMUN Advisers: Ruth Heide & Rob Kaminski
SMS OMUN Advisers: Jackie Abrams, Matt Wyman, & David Saluga

 

Special thanks to Sarah Knebel & Mike Sears for helping to chaperone the event.