Wahpeton Rotary MUNA Team Excels (Again).
We welcome home the delegates from the 55th annual Model United Nations Assembly held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. David Evers (senior at Wahpeton High School) and Gavin Muscha (sophomore at Richland 44) were judged to be co-champions at the event held May 9th- 12th, 2013 at the Canadian Mennonite University. The activity was a mock United Nations assembly with two delegates from each of 38 registered teams from the U.S. and Canada representing an assigned country. Resolutions debated were inspired by those currently being considered at the UN including topics involving the conflict in Syria, global climate change, challenges for developing nations as well as tensions with Iran and the Persian Gulf.
The Wahpeton team is on the left: Counselor Jace Picken (Wahpeton Rotary); Gavin Muscha (Richland 44) and David Evers (Wahpeton) from left to right
The other co-winner team was the Argentinian team from Prince Albert High in Winnipeg, MN
Preparation for MUNA started in January with an interview process. Students were selected and research efforts began as a group. Two alternates, Lamesha Schmidt and Jessica Mastel (both Juniors at Wahpeton High School), were also selected and participated in the preparation work. The Wahpeton Rotary Club delegation, having been assigned to represent Bangladesh, was tasked with debating and amending the resolutions on the schedule from the perspective of that country. The students were also able to introduce other resolutions they had composed on the second day. To be successful inside and outside the assembly, delegations needed to form political alliances through negotiation and understanding of regional and world politics. As co-champions, Gavin and David were able to demonstrate superior skills in debate and speechmaking in a parliamentary format. The pair considered themselves well suited for the competition from their participation in similar activities. They will both compete at the National Forensic League National Tournament held in Birmingham, Alabama in June. The Wahpeton Rotary Club congratulates these fine competitors and wishes them the best for this upcoming event and their future endeavors.