HPU Press Release – Howard Payne University’s Model United Nations team recently participated in the Milan International Model United Nations conference in Italy, winning four out of an available six Best Delegate awards and an Honorable Mention.

MUN takes current world issues and asks students, who represent the different countries as delegates, to try to solve them through diplomatic means. Students learn the art of diplomacy through caucusing, writing position papers and presenting in formal settings, all while following the model of the United Nations.

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Best Delegate awards were given to Jaclyn Bonner, senior from Lytle, representing Italy on the European Council; Braxton Clark, senior from Southlake, representing the Republic of China on the League of Nations; Caleb Kostreva, sophomore from Clifton, Colorado, representing El Salvador on the Human Rights Council; and Lainee Hasty, junior from Runaway Bay, representing India on the Social and Economic Council. Joshua Dykes, senior from Mount Pleasant, received an Honorable Mention for his representation of Argentina on the Social and Economic Council.

“Everyone put in so much hard work in preparation for the conference, and it definitely paid off,” said Emma Reed, junior from Arlington, who served as head delegate of the HPU MUN team. “We all learned great lessons about other cultures and world politics.”

Additional participants included Reed, representing China on the Security Council; co-delegate Cody Perrin, senior from Eastland, representing France on the League of Nations; Joel Justice, junior from Brownwood, representing the United Kingdom on the League of Nations; Penny Stehlik, freshman from Round Rock, representing China on the Human Rights Council; and Jessica Swonger, sophomore from Midway, Arkansas, representing Spain on the European Council.

“I am proud of the HPU MUN team for their efforts at the Milan conference,” said Dr. Kevin Kelley, team sponsor and assistant professor of organizational psychology. “Not only did they represent Howard Payne University well, but they did so through humble diplomacy. Emma Reed, HPU’s head delegate, led our team admirably.”

Applications are still being accepted for the fall 2017 semester at Howard Payne University. HPU offers a variety of financial aid options including the Heart of Texas Scholarship, which awards $60,000 to students from Brown County and surrounding counties. For more information about HPU, contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Pictured: Five HPU students received awards at the Milan International Model United Nations conference in Italy. Left to right: Caleb Kostreva, Lainee Hasty, Joshua Dykes, Jaclyn Bonner and Braxton Clark.