Recently, a group of Sebastian Middle School students got to take part in a new experience. They attended the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) in Louisville, KY. KUNA is a Kentucky YMCA sponsored program that is held every spring for high school and middle school age students. KUNA is a simulation of what happens at the United Nations. Each school or team is assigned a country and they attended as representatives of that country. The event kicks off with a global village, International Stage performance, and a parade of nations. Each school creates a booth that represents their country and dresses in traditional cultural attire. During the opening ceremony, there is a parade of nations in which each team presents a sign representing their country and their country’s flag.

On the second day, the United Nations simulation begins. Before arriving at KUNA, each team prepares a resolution of desired action for the United Nation. This resolution presents a problem in their country with which they would like the United Nations’ assistance. This problem should also have some international impact. In the resolution, they must present a plan of action which they feel will help solve the problem and how the United Nations can help. In the morning, the students are divided into five committees. Each team will present their resolution in one of two morning committee sessions. The resolutions are presented by the “resolution authors” and then debated by the delegates in the committee. After the debate, the delegates rank the resolution on five factors: debatability, creativity, international impact, originality, and functionality. The highest ranked resolution in each committee then goes to the general assembly. The general assembly then votes on the five highest ranked resolutions in the first and second morning committee session. They vote to determine which resolution they would like presented to the entire general assembly. The winning resolution is then presented and debated in front of the entire general assembly and voted on by the entire United Nations delegation as to whether or not the United Nations should support and assist with this resolution. After a day of debate and hard work, the student are rewarded with a night of fun and the next day-awards.

This year was the first time Sebastian Middle School had attended KUNA. We represented the country of Belgium. SMS was represented by Nick Correll, Hannah Griffith, AJ Miller, Taylor Smith, Grant Hamilton, Krista Pitts, John Hall, Jolie Howell, Breana Stamper, and Jalen Taulbee. Their global village booth exhibited some unique items from Belgium and items that originated in Belgium, such as Volgepik (which is a dart game), Smurfs and Tin Tin (which began in Belgium), and the Atomium (a building in Belgium designated at the most bizarre building in Europe. Many students visited SMS’s global village booth and enjoyed the interactive features (playing Volgepik and taking their picture with Tin Tin). For the international stage, the students performed a traditional Belgium folkdance known as Zweirig Danse.

The second day, the resolution authors (John Hall, Hannah Griffith, and AJ Miller) presented their resolution in committee. The resolution developed by the authors focused on the rape crisis in Belgium and around the world. The resolution suggested a solution through education. Their program wished to reduce rape crimes around the world by developing an education program which focused on teaching gender equality to change people’s mindset that women are objects or victims. They were asking the United Nations Women’s committee to help implement this program worldwide, as violence against women is an international issue. While the author’s presented their resolution in committee, the remaining SMS students attended other committees as delegates and debated resolution presented by other teams.

We are proud to announce our students did an amazing job at everything presented at KUNA. First of all, their resolution was ranked highest in their committee. It then went to the general assembly and was voted to be presented and debated before the entire United Nations delegation of over 600 students. Only two resolutions are voted to be presented to the general assembly. They were the first new delegation to ever attend KUNA and have their resolution presented before the general assembly. Their resolution was then passed with resounding support by the United Nations delegation.

On the final day, during the closing ceremony, they were recognized as a new delegation that looked like seasoned pros which had been attending KUNA for years. Hannah Griffith was recognized as an “Outstanding Speaker” and Krista Pitts was recognized as an “Outstanding Delegate.” Overall, our team was recognized for “Outstanding Country Representation.” This award encompasses their global village booth, their traditional costumes, their International stage performance, their resolution, and their performance as delegates. They did an amazing job in their representation of the country, Belgium. They were also awarded “Delegation of Excellence.”

A fabulous time was had by all and their advisors, Mr. John Baker, Mrs. Michelle Johnson, and Mrs. Tina Griffith, could not be more proud. Everyone is looking forward to next year and excited to make this a tradition at the middle school and next year, at the high school.