By Duncan Baumgarten On Wednesday, September 12th, outside of Mrs. Damario’s history classroom during fifth period, a very important man sat on the floor. He helped campaign for, and run, a middle-school Model UN conference at West Valley, on May 5, 2018, which 30 students attended. He is part of the planning for an upcoming conference on November 10th. He belongs to an exclusive club, one of only four members. He boasts an uncontested election. With an assured smile, and luscious locks that could unify a nation, he might not immediately strike a student as a man of power,but he leads one of the most popular, and influential, clubs at West Valley. His name is Jack Winford, and he’s the President of Model United Nations, or Model UN.
President Winford has a myriad of accolades to his name; “Brave”, says Mrs. Damario, the adult sponsor of Model UN; “Relaxed and confident”, says Sarah Gerstenfield, a member; an “outgoing” and “genuine guy”, says Secretary of Model UN Naomi Hartman. Since it’s early days for Model UN, there haven’t been any major conflicts. However, tensions were high for his first meeting. Damario describes herself as rigid, while Winford is laid back. With such conflicting styles, one might assume that there would be impassable conflict. “I work for him”, says Damario. “I have to step back… I trust him completely”. With seventy-five students at their first meeting, Sept. 10, there was no PowerPoint, like his predecessor, President Tanner Sprankle. Winford pulled up a chair and spoke. Damario promises that he is going to make it his own, when questioned whether he will be as consequential as his former presidents. Winford is guided by his own actions, not by the actions of others. Words like “redefine” and “out of the box” and “dedicated” came up repeatedly. “I’m interested to see how he takes on the role”, with such big shoes to fill, says Zee Nace, the Official Liaison for Model UN. Winford stresses a new aspect to Model UN. “We’ll be less focused on trips, and more focused on the community,” says the President. This new focus on the community was a main focal point of his opening speech as President. Model UN member Sarah Gerstenfield predicts Winford is “bring[ing] something different in than what we do now”. Vice President Sebastian Boice describes the President’s governing style as “what the club needs right now”. President Winford has an energy and ability to encourage excellence. “He has a great combination of being laid back, but has the ability to mobilize people”, says Damario. It’s in his job description to create and maintain the community feel, to advocate for joining, and to draw everyone together. A lofty task, but according to both members of his team, and members of the club alike, he fulfills it. “I teach more than I tell,” he says, when describing his own view of his governing style. A common explanation for a lack of involvement in clubs is a lack of time to commit. However, President Winford has an alternative. “Model UN is for people who are too busy for clubs. If it’s not your habit, we’ll make it your habit.” It was stressed that “If there is a club at West Valley that needs help to accomplish their goals, Model UN can help them.” It all goes back to the creation of a community feeling, which returns to the foundation of what West Valley is about. “I’m impressed,” says Damario. Model UN meets Mondays and Fridays at lunch in the Dewild Theatre. Visit Ms. Damario, or President Winford, for more information.
kiaira szmyd
9/21/2018 12:22:01 pm
i love this !! these are so cool and creative keep up the news paper.
M.M.
9/21/2018 12:25:30 pm
very interesting.
Naatanii Mayo
9/21/2018 12:25:56 pm
Very informative and helpful.
Ms. Gallaway
9/21/2018 12:40:27 pm
Great article, President Winford and Model U.N. ROCK!!!!
Jacob A.
9/24/2018 08:51:02 am
This is a well put together article with great information, cool.
Lawson
9/24/2018 09:00:31 am
Great article and really good informations for students to know
Robert WIllard
9/24/2018 09:05:46 am
I think that this was a really good article, I've was always curious how elections are held and how they are ran. plus with the use of quotations and was really easy to follow. This is a really good article!
Jackson Brannan
10/11/2018 08:51:06 am
I think that it will be hard to fill Tanner Sprankles shoes, but i think Jack is one of the most qualified to do so. Congrats Jack!! Comments are closed.
|
EditorCategories
All
Archives
January 2023
|