News Post

Thirty-nine members of the St. Joseph’s Academy Youth & Government Club participated in the YMCA’s 2023 Model United Nations (MUN) program, held March 2-4 at the Holiday Inn South.
 
MUN provides participants with an opportunity to gain insight into global relations through a challenging and constructive three-day program. The focus of the conference is to provide participants with the experience of representing a country’s viewpoint on global issues and engaging in resolutions through compromise and cooperation. Delegates write resolutions and then engage in debate. 

The SJA delegation represented Australia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines, the United States, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. Three Academy students served on the MUN state board this past year and worked to create and manage the conference in collaboration with YMCA staff. They were Margaret Moe, secretary general; Ella Robichaux, General Assembly presiding officer; and Eva Robichaux, General Assembly presiding officer. 

SJA delegates wrote several resolutions that were passed, including Maria Hargrave and Grace Dube, Security Council, United States (four resolutions passed); Hannah Deshotel, General Assembly, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Camille Starkovitch and Allison Riley, General Assembly, Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea; Kali Baker and Sara Pasquier, General Assembly, Mexico; Cameron Wilkinson and Raygan Irvin, General Assembly, Haiti; Sophia Edwards and Mariana Cuadra, General Assembly, Nicaragua; Claire Ann Chutz and Victoria Dekeyzer, General Assembly, the Phillipines; Lola Avery and Margaret Johnson, General Assembly, United States (two resolutions passed); Caroline Roussel and Ellis Maughn, General Assembly, Australia (three resolutions passed); Hayley Cavalier and Sophia Montalbano, General Assembly, Cuba; and Loralei Robinson and Gabrielle Perrault, Economic & Social Council, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Winning special awards were Emma Bonney, named Economic & Social Council Outstanding Delegate; Kali Baker and Sara Pasquier, whose resolution was voted the General Assembly Blue Outstanding Resolution; and Lola Avery and Margaret Johnson, whose resolution was voted the General Assembly Gold Outstanding Resolution.

Two SJA delegates were elected to next year’s state board for MUN: Andi Hayes, Economic & Social Council presiding officer, and Mariana Cuadra, General Assembly presiding officer.

Moe, a senior, enjoyed her leadership role as the secretary general. She also enjoyed watching younger members of the SJA delegation grow in their positions. “The confidence that some of them have gained throughout this year is impressive, and I cannot wait to see where they go with Youth and Government in the next few years,” she said. “I was also very proud to see all of our returning delegates who stepped up into higher councils and performed very well. They all met the challenge of representing their countries at a higher level, and I loved watching them debate in more difficult settings. All of the SJA girls did exceptionally well this year and should all be very proud of the effort that they put in.”

Juniors Ella and Eva Robichaux were selected to the position of presiding officer for the General Assembly during last year’s conference. “We’ve been preparing since last year, along with other members of the state board,” Ella Robichaux said. “As presiding officers, we helped lead debate in our assigned chambers, and on the last day of conference, we led debate for the whole conference. We were able to take leadership roles and even choose awards for participating delegates.” 

Cuadra, a sophomore, is looking forward to serving on the state board as presiding officer for the 2023 General Assembly chamber. She also enjoyed this year’s gathering. “I enjoyed all of conference but loved meeting new people, debating with other countries, writing resolutions and MUN Fun Friday night,” she said. 

Former SJA faculty member Olivia Gulino and current faculty member Sharon Ogra served as chaperones.

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director

Photos courtesy of Maria Hargrace and Margaret Moe