Model League Delegation Continues to Win Awards
By Courtenay Mims ’04
The Converse College Model League of Arab States Delegation always yields strong results and this year was no exception.
During the April 2-5 Model League of Arab States National Convention in Washington, D.C., Converse competed with delegations from universities from every corner of the country: from Boston to San Francisco, from Michigan to Texas, and the American University of Cairo. Converse continued its track record of unbelievable success by being named Outstanding Delegation for the seventh consecutive year.
The two Head Delegates for Converse, Kristi Faris ’03 and Valerie Brock ’03, led the way. Kristi, Kelly Wilson ’04, and Rebecca Poston ’04, won Outstanding Delegate in their respective committees, and Dona Roy ’05 dominated the Arab Court of Justice. Valerie, Erin, Melanie Brown ’03, and Josie Fingerhut ’05 all chaired committees, which were all cited by the judges for their exceptional performance. Valerie walked away with the Best Chair Award.
Maria, last year’s Secretary-General, stepped in at the last minute at the Southeast Model to serve as the first Chief Justice of the Arab Court of Justice. Even though she was not on the Converse delegation this year, the National Council invited her to come to Washington to serve as a volunteer, and help with the Court and other duties. Earlier in the year, Maria had been a volunteer at the Atlanta (Ga.) High School Model. She was given a special citation at the Awards ceremony and indeed a new position, Chief of Staff, was created to do the work that she performed as a volunteer.
In the stiff competition for chair positions for next year, 17 individuals from the various universities were interviewed, and Converse walked away with three positions. Erin will chair the Environmental Committee, and Lindsey Blunt ’05 will follow Valerie as chair of the Social Committee. Josie gave up her chair position to become Assistant Secretary General.
Casey Addis ’04 and Erin Poston ’04, were named Head Delegates for 2004.
Before traveling to Washington, the Converse delegation dominated the Southeast Model, which was held March 21-23 on the Converse campus. The Converse Kuwait delegation garnered Outstanding Delegation honors, and the Saudi Arabia delegation received honorable mention. Once again, Converse chaired all the committees (now called councils) and Valerie Brock ’03 was the Secretary General of the event. Fifteen of the 19-person delegation received citations for excellent performance.
Council Directors were Melanie Brown ’03, Erin Poston ’04, Rebecca Poston ’04, Josie Fingerhut ’05, Libby Long ’05, and Lindsey Blunt ’05. Maria Perry ’03 served as Chief Justice of the Arab Court of Justice. Nikki Castle ’06 served as Vice Director of her council. Erin Poston ’04 and Lindsey Blunt ’05 shared the award as the Best Chairs, and Rebecca Poston ’04 and Valerie were given special citations for their outstanding leadership, since their councils were not eligible for consideration for the Best Chair Award.