On May 8th, 2012, Santa Margarita Catholic High School had the opportunity to once again showcase its internationally-recognized Model United Nations (MUN) program at the annual MUN Awards Dinner at the El Adobe Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, California.
Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of the United Nations, which allows students (acting as roles of UN delegates) to engage in discussions about issues ranging from international organized crime to women’s rights. In this highly competitive activity, Santa Margarita was recognized by BestDelegate.com as one of the top 50 MUN programs in the country. This year alone, Santa Margarita has claimed over 575 individual awards, 84 best delegates, and 7 school delegation awards, including one at the Duke MUN Conference. The Awards Dinner was indeed a night to celebrate all the achievements.
“During the year, I don’t do enough to let the MUN students know how proud I am of them and what they have accomplished during the year,” said Mr. John Remmell, advisor of the MUN program at Santa Margarita. “Consider this evening as a huge thank you to all the parents and students that make this program so successful.”
Some of the MUN program’s most astounding accomplishments were shared at the Awards Banquet. Last September, Santa Margarita held its own MUN conference, attracting over 900 students from all over Southern California. In October, eleven students were also given the opportunity to travel to London for the Royal Russell MUN Conference held in East Croydon, United Kingdom. Finally, Santa Margarita was the only US school to attend the Beijing MUN Conference in March, and it took home more awards than any other school at the conference.
Senior Katie Fernelius shared her memories about the once-in-a-lifetime trip to China. “The China trip was an incredible opportunity that not only allowed us to develop global awareness, but also permitted us to foster relationships with amazing kids from around the world. This trip was the most significant experience I will take with me from SMCHS and I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity.”
In addition to recognizing all the impressive achievements, the MUN program offered more than $16,000 in scholarships to the top MUN senior delegates. MUN College Scholarships were given to six recipients, and the Richard Voelkel Memorial Scholarship, in memory of founder of Santa Margarita’s MUN program, was given to the top 4-year MUN participating senior.
