1998

Baylor Earns Two Awards

at Model Organization of American States Competition

This past weekend (October 30-November 1, 1998) Baylor sent a nine member team of students to the Second Annual Model Organization of American States Conference, sponsored by the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Teams from fourteen colleges and universities throughout Texas and a team from the National Autonomous University of Mexico represented countries from the Organization of American States. Students acted as diplomats from various countries in North and South America and debated topics such as human rights, drug trafficking, international trade, democracy, and the environment. Baylor represented Argentina and earned the award for Most Creative Representation, in recognition of Baylor’s outstanding research and preparation for this event in addition to the spirit and accuracy of the personification of Argentina.

The students discussed current issues and negotiated resolutions all weekend, seeking solutions to pressing regional crises. Conference delegates displayed their diplomatic skills at two intense  mock meetings of the OAS General Assembly (one on Saturday and one on Sunday) where all the conference participants (more than 100 students) finally reached consensus on a number of issues.

Team members included Kristi Bonkowski (Hesperia, CA), Milton Gutierrez (Junior, Cameron, TX), Sam Henderson (Corpus Christi, TX), Bethany Jenkins (Senior, Pensacola, FL), Yami Moreno (Senior, Laredo, TX), Trey Nixon (Senior, Charlotte, TX), David Ocamb (Freshman, Oklahoma City, OK), Fabio Subieta ( Senior, Katy, TX) Lin Wayner (Grad, New York, NY), and David Wolf (Freshman, Grand Rapids, MI). Dr. Janet Adamski from the Department of Political Science and Dr. Joan Supplee from the Departments of History and Latin American Studies coached the students and accompanied them to the conference.

In addition to the team award, Bethany Jenkins earned an individual honorable mention award for her performance as a delegate at the conference. Lin Wayner served as Secretary-General of the conference, by presiding over the General Assembly. For more information please contact Dr. Supplee at ext. 6294.