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Model United Nations Members Receive Top Honors at Western Collegiate Model UN Conference in California

by: Christy Skeen

Nine members of the Phoenix College Model United Nations Club recently returned from the Western Collegiate Model UN Conference in Ventura, California with top honors. Alan Heckman received the Best Delegate in the Security Council and Patricka Fletcher was appointed the Undersecretary General for next year’s conference.

Historically, Phoenix College and its Model United Nations members are known for their outstanding performance at these national and regional conferences. They have gained award-winning respect and honor from other schools throughout the country. The organization has literally solidified a unique tradition of achievement, which has gained them the respect of their counterparts from Harvard and beyond.

Although only nine team members actually competed at the past conference, these participants received an overwhelming amount of support from their fellow Political Science 140 classmates.

"We were all responsible for the success," said Patricka Fletcher. "Whether you attended the conference or not…every one of us was responsible in some way. Therefore, I believe it is important to recognize those individuals who were unable to attend the conference. They helped us prepare tremendously and provided amazing research."

Liberal Arts Department Chair and advisor of the Phoenix College Model UN, Dr. Albert Celoza, encourages his students to take an interest in politics. Although students come into Political Science 140 with different levels of political interest, many seem to leave with not only an extensive amount of knowledge, but they also leave with the desire to bring about change.

When asked why the Phoenix College Model United Nations is so successful, an instant roar erupted from the class.

The students instantly replied with "Dr. Celoza is the reason for Model UN’s success."

"He’s got the drive that drive us," a student added.