The Model UN delegations from North Hunterdon and Voorhees High Schools had another strong performance at the 2024 YMCA Model United Nations Conference in Hershey, PA on January 5-7, 2024.
Both schools’ delegations as a whole were awarded “Outstanding Delegation” for the overall performance of its attending delegates. This award reflects the effort, engagement and integrity of the North Hunterdon and Voorhees Model UN members. Each member took on the challenge to communicate with others from different schools and states to find solutions to world problems. They did so by honoring the Four Core Values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
For individual recognitions, Voorhees senior Meredith Whitlock and North Hunterdon senior Zoe Jenkins-Hiscox were nominated to attend the Youth Conference on National Affairs as alternates. This prestigious program brings together YMCA Civic Engagement delegates from across the country. Their week-long conference is held over the summer in North Carolina.
In addition, North Hunterdon senior Zoe Jenkins-Hiscox served as chair of the World Health Organization (WHO) committee, as she was elected to serve at last year’s conference. North Hunterdon junior Sanjana Mandadi was elected as the 2025 Officer of the Security Council B committee. North Hunterdon senior Emma Mullay was recognized for her standout performance in Press and received the honorary award of 2024 Premier Delegate. Several North Hunterdon students received awards for representing the conference’s Premier and Outstanding Countries: junior Lauren Stowers represented the Premier Country of France, junior Ava Spinetti represented the Outstanding Country of Mexico, and freshmen Anya Karnani and Caiden MacNiven represented the Outstanding Country of South Korea.
Model UN is coordinated through the YMCA Civic Engagement, which provides students in middle and high school with the opportunity to represent and serve their communities through model government, leadership and professional development, advocacy, and service-learning. YMCA Civic Engagement operates three flagship programs: YMCA Model United Nations, New Jersey Youth & Government, and Middle School Model United Nations. Through its participation in the national YMCA Youth and Government initiative, student leaders also attend the annual YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs, Youth Governors Conference, and National Advocacy Days. To learn more, visit https://www.ymcace.org/about.