Students from five universities solve world problems at Model U.N.

KOKOMO, Ind. - Imagine you are a diplomat trying to figure out your role in an international war - and representatives of the aggressor are in the room, with veto power.

That was just one of the global challenges students tried to resolve at a Model U.N competition November 14-16, hosted by Indiana University Kokomo. Nearly 70 students from IU Kokomo, Manchester University, Morehead State University, University of Indianapolis and University of Louisville competed. Each student represented a country in a council, negotiating solutions to conflict in Yemen, the Arab/Israeli/Gaza conflict, famine in Sudan, the war in Ukraine and the U.N.'s role as a peace broker, and the U.N.'s role as a political stabilizer in Haiti.

"We don't give them easy issues to address," said Andy Tuholski, assistant professor of political science. Tuholski teaches the campus's Model U. N. class, which prepares students for the competition.

"These are problems real leaders have not been able to solve, and they have three days to address them," he said. "You're dealing with other people who are also role playing, representing their national interests, and often their national interests don't align with yours. When you're dealing with Ukraine, Russia is in the room, and they have veto power, so how can you work strategically with different countries to move the ball forward?"

IU Kokomo students performed well, winning four of the five most valuable delegate awards.

Grayson Arndt, a sophomore from Marion, represented Japan in his council. He and his classmates prepared by researching their country's positions on the issues they would debate.

"It opened my eyes to different cultures, social issues, and values, and allowed me to gain insight into my own beliefs, and a better understanding of how world events impact different countries," he said. "In our council we have Ukraine and Russia in the same room, and that's going to make things interesting."

Brenton Davisson, Kokomo, represented South Korea, and found that diplomacy is conducted differently by their people than it is in the United States.

"They're a little quieter and want to be in the background, while in the U.S. we want to be louder," said Davisson, who graduates in December. "In playing my role, I have to be a little more subdued."

Senior Elaina Anderson, who participated in the last Model U.N. in 2022, played a different role this year, as sponsor of the Westfield High School Model U.N. club. Her experience with IU Kokomo prompted her to start the club when she began working at Westfield as a substitute teacher.

Her students debated the same resolutions in their own high school council, gaining experience before a large conference they will attend later in the school year.

"I wanted them to have the experience of competing before we go to our conference in Michigan, and to see a college campus and interact with students to ask them questions," she said.

Most valuable delegate award winners included Kylie Antrim, Gaston; Moriah Crawford, Springfield, Illinois; Kyle Richards, Gas City; and Brandon Maish, Macy; from IU Kokomo; Taylor Bennett from Manchester University; and Eli LaRosa from Westfield High School.

Runners up were Grayson Arndt, Marion; Tim Bullock, Logansport; Braydon Lake, Yorktown; and Rebecka Hoosier, Frankfort, from IU Kokomo; Eli Bridges and Kennedy Terhune, University of Indianapolis; Peyton McWilliams, Moorhead State University; and Harrison Gapinski-Coon and Colt Kinney, Westfield High School.

Other award winners included:

Top negotiator

IU Kokomo: Grayson Arndt, Marion; Lilly Johnson, Kokomo; Brandon Maish, Macy; runners up Tim Bullock, Logansport; Will Ven Heyningen, Rochester; and Braydon Lake, Yorktown

Manchester University: Taylor Bennett

Moorehead State University: Runners up Bryce Fletcher, Peyton McWilliams

University of Indianapolis: Eli Bridges

University of Louisville:Runner up Landon Littleton

Westfield High School: Harrison Gapinski-Coon; runners up Lore Dulin, Eli LaRosa, Katie Bolduc

Most innovative problem solver

IU Kokomo: Grayson Arndt, Tim Bullock, Braydon Lake; runners up Macy Davidson, Noblesville; Quinn Jackson, Kokomo; and Brandon Maish, Macy

Manchester University: Sam Hupp; runner up Taylor Bennett

Moorehead State University: Peyton McWilliams

University of Indianapolis: Runners up Sarah Youngman, Eli Bridges, and Aiden Grimes

University of Louisville: Landon Littleton

Westfield High School: Colt Kinney; runner up Katie Bolduc

Best advocate for national interests

Manchester University: Sam Hupp, Gus Stender, Karmen Brown; runners up Miriam Erbaugh, Sophia Lunsford

Moorehead State University: Runners up Bryce Fletcher, Rexford Castle, Nicholas Hazelett, Peyton McWilliams

University of Indianapolis: Lexie Taylor, Kennedy Terhune; runners up Ethan Howard and Amari Wilkerson

Westfield High School: Lore Dulin; runner up Eli LaRosa

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