SENATE RESOLUTION 56

(By Senator Baldwin, Phillips, Stollings, Lindsay, Rucker, and Jeffries)

[Introduced March 10, 2022]

Recognizing James Monroe High School Mavericks Youth Leadership Association students for their participation in the Harvard University Model United Nations Conference.

Whereas, The Harvard Model United Nations is a four-day international relations simulation for high school students, which provides an exciting opportunity for young leaders to debate the most pressing issues of the day and to draft innovative creative solutions; and

Whereas, After a rigorous selection process, six James Monroe High School students earned the honor of being selected to compete in the Harvard University Model United Nations Conference: Lauren Ballard, Jordan Feamster, Luke Fraley, Luke Jackson, Emma Ballard, and Sadie Maxey; and

Whereas, In a Model United Nations debate, student delegates represent a country that are assigned to them and work together with other delegates to develop solutions to problems as broad as drug abuse, world terrorism, use of drones in warfare, and online privacy and security; and

Whereas, Lauren Ballard, who served as Head Delegate for the Mavericks, won an Outstanding Delegate award for her overall effectiveness at steering the debate and simultaneously advancing her country’s (Mongolia) interests while working with other countries to find solutions to the problem of violence against indigenous women; and

Whereas, Emma Ballard won a Diplomatic Commendation award for her skill at exhibiting leadership and empathy to the problem of violence against indigenous women; and

Whereas, James Monroe High School has twice earned the privilege to compete in this prestigious conference and has been the only high school chosen from West Virginia in recent history; and

Whereas, Acceptance into this highly competitive debate competition is a testament to the skills of the students of the Maverick debate team, including but not limited to: Public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, and policy crafting; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate recognizes James Monroe High School Mavericks Youth Leadership Association students for their participation in the Harvard University Model United Nations Conference; and, be it

Further Resolved, The Senate extends its sincere congratulations to the James Monroe High School Mavericks for their admirable performance and exceptional academic achievement, and wishes each of the students well on a bright future ahead; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the James Monroe High School Mavericks debate team.