2006 Fall

A DECADE OF EXCELLENCE: BAYLOR TEAM WINS MODEL ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

For the tenth year in a row, the Baylor University Model Organization of American States Team has taken a team award at the competition sponsored by the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, Texas. Again this year, Baylor received top honors as the Outstanding Delegation. The competition held at St. Mary’s University lasted from November 2-4, 2006.  Fifteen universities, including two from Mexico, represented twenty countries in the Organization of American States (OAS). Baylor represented two countries: Mexico and Nicaragua and participants researched and debated issues of concern to the hemisphere as varied as decentralization, terrorism, privacy issues, conflict resolution, extradition, drug demand reduction, and transparency in banking. Ambassador John Maisto, Head of the U.S. Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States, Enrique Lee, Vice President of Valero Oil Company and Head of the San Antonio World Affairs Conference addressed the meeting and emphasized the importance of the OAS and the value of a career in Foreign Service. Baylor University led this year’s model in the number of awards, receiving eight out of 18. Head Delegate for Nicaragua, Elizabeth Russell, a Senior International Studies major from Robinson, Texas, won recognition as Outstanding Ambassador and Outstanding Delegate in the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs. Amanda Crews, a Junior International Studies major from Temple, Texas received the Outstanding Delegate Award in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights while Ariel Alexander, a sophomore International Studies and Spanish major from San Antonio, Texas won the Distinguished Delegate award in that committee.  In the Committee on Hemispheric Security, Alyssa Engle, a sophomore International Studies major from Park Ridge, Illinois took the Outstanding Delegate Award while Brenton Otis, a freshman International Studies/Philosophy major from Abilene, Texas was recognized as a Distinguished Delegate.  In the Inter-American Drug Enforcement Committee, Eva Silkwood, a senior International Studies major from Coldspring, Texas and Cassidy Ford, a sophomore University Scholars major from Phoenix, received recognition as Distinguished Delegates. Ricardo Carrillo, a graduate student in International Relations from Amarillo, Texas chaired the Committee on Hemispheric Security and Megan McNerney, International Studies major from Troy, Ohio, chaired the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Other team members included: Leticia Silva, Head Delegate for Mexico, a senior Real Estate and Economics major from Houston, Texas, Denise Alvarez, a senior History major from Lorena, Texas; Xhemile Baca, a senior International Studies major from Houston, Texas; Pedro Delgado, a junior Political Science major from San Antonio, Texas; Eric Koestner,  a junior Accounting major from Chicago, Illinois, Manny Muñoz, a sophomore Neuroscience major from San Antonio, Texas; Maureen Ndoto, a senior International Studies major from Kennesaw, Georgia; Raquel Nunes, an International Exchange Student from Brazil studying law, Seth Reed, a sophomore Political Science major from Cassville, Missouri, and Eva Studer, a sophomore History major from Brenham, Texas. Dr. Joan Supplee, of the History Department coached the team.