Make that six in a row for the West Milford Model UN team

Team takes first at St. Peter’s College competition. Jersey City, N.J. — Last week, the West Milford High School Model United Nations team was confronted with the task of defending its five consecutive victories against public and private schools of New Jersey at St. Peter’s College. The students rose to the challenge, winning their sixth consecutive competition in fine form. With several new faces joining the team this year, most of the students felt that this might be a “rebuilding year,” according to Greg Matlosz, advisor of the Model UN team. When the dust eventually settled on March 17 within the St. Peter’s College Auditorium an astonishment overtook the faces of the students and Matlosz. West Milford’s Model UN team won a total of 26 individual awards which has never been accomplished at the St. Peter’s College Model UN Conference. As the committee chairpersons stood to recognize their delegates which ranged from the United Nations Security Council to the United Nations Disarmament Committee, the words “West Milford High School” was announced 18 times in total. This included awards of honorable delegation and honorable delegate, best delegation and best delegate, and best position paper for scholarly writing. As the students entered their committees they were faced with the undertaking of trying to provide recommendations and resolutions toward fragile states, climate change, and nuclear proliferation to just name a few. The debate, through parliamentary procedure, lasted two days with several resolutions passed by each Model UN committee providing students with a globalized outlook on the issues faced throughout the globe. “I really have no idea how to respond to an accomplishment of this nature,” said Matlosz. “These are students that meet after school one to two times per week and were capable in competing and defeating schools that have either Model UN and/or debate/public speaking courses within their high schools.” Matlosz said it truly has been an honor to be their advisor and teacher as the seniors of the team are departing to their respective universities next year. “And it saddens me to say that this is my last year as the Model UN advisor but the team truly provided me with a ‘going away’ present that I will never forget,” said Matlosz. “I am happy to announce that the team will be in the hands of Mr. Ed Marzalik, high school teacher, and I wish him, the seniors, and all the members, present and future, of Model UN the best of luck.” West Milford Model UN award winners St. Peter’s College UN Summit on Environment Outstanding Delegation: Matt Serven and Missy Townsend Honorable Delegate: Zack Myshkoff UN Development Program Outstanding Delegation: Joe Barry and Charlene Oselador Position Paper: Joe Barry UN Commission on Status of Women Honorable Delegate: Christina Serven Outstanding Delegate: Cynthia Sularz UN Economic and Financial Committee Honorable Delegation: Chad Horner and Josef Mohrenweiser Outstanding Delegate: Matt Conlon UN Special Political and Decolonization Committee Honorable Delegation: Alex Nicheporuck and Zane Yuhas Outstanding Delegation: Ken Canali and Steve Fernandez Outstanding Delegate: Ken Canali UN Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee Honorable Delegation: Jess Zuban and Stephanie Buechel Outstanding Delegation: Luke Slott and Tim Canali Best Position Paper: Jess Zuban UN Disarmament and International Security Committee Outstanding Delegation: Mike Lichtenberg and Dillon Guarino Outstanding Delegate: Heather Ryan UN Security Council Outstanding Delegation: Christina Siesta and Katelyn Knatz