Knightly News

Episcopal’s Model UN team showed off their diplomatic and debating skills at this year’s virtual Model United Nations conference! It was a banner year in terms of the resolutions students passed and the recognitions they earned. Senior Alex Engstrom and tenth grader Emma Engstrom, who represented India, co-authored a resolution that was debated at the plenary session and generated lively debate. The resolution, related to international espionage, was one of only a handful of resolutions passed at the plenary session on Sunday morning. Juniors Carter McLean and Thomas O’Connor as well as first-time delegate and ninth grader Jack Ezell co-authored a resolution that earned the Presiding Officer Choice Award.

On Saturday, seniors Lucy Pellegrin and Caroline Wilcox, representing Bangladesh, wrote a resolution expanding internet access through public libraries that was debated and approved by the General Assembly. The General Assembly also formally debated a resolution related to global warming and climate engineering that was authored and co-sponsored by juniors Carter McLean, Thomas O’Connor and freshman Jack Ezell. A crisis resolution to preserve Earth’s memory for intelligent extraterrestrial life, written by ninth graders and first-time delegates Julia Brinker and Miniya Malone, was also debated and approved by the General Assembly. Seniors Emily Berg and Davis Eglin, who represented Canada, authored a resolution on tax evasion that was debated by the Economic and Social Council. The Economic and Social Council also passed a resolution expanding vaccine access, which was written by tenth graders Ahebwa Muhumuza and Hayden Signh, who were representing Germany. 

At the plenary session Sunday morning, Episcopal contributed to the vigorous discussion with Jack Ezell, Riley Posey, Ramsey Claire Greene, Emma Engstrom, Hayden Singh, Ahebwa Muhumuza, Katherine Fivgas, Carter McLean, Thomas O’Connor, Lucy Pellegrin, Davis Eglin, and Alex Engstrom all speaking at the session, which brought together the roughly 130 delegates who attended the conference from throughout the state.  

This year Episcopal had one of its largest MUN delegations ever, including ninth graders Julia Brinker, Jackson Ezell, and Miniya Malone; tenth graders Emma Engstrom, Ramsey Claire Greene, Avery Kyle, Ahebwa Muhumuza, Riley Posey, Hayden Singh, and Caroline Waters; eleventh graders Mary Ann Crawford, Katherine Fivgas, Tanvi Dhaka, Ainsley Edenfield, Arden Johnson, Carter McLean, Thomas O’Connor, Amelia Pleasant, Mia Pulliam; and twelfth graders Emily Berg, Davis Eglin, Alex Engstrom, Lucy Pellegrin and Caroline Wilcox. This was also the seventh year of sponsoring the Model United Nations club for Dr. Kuhn and Dr. Way.

Although the conference was held virtually rather than at the Holiday Inn South as it has in the past, the students met at Penniman Hall on campus for the three days of the conference, which allowed them to strategize, coordinate, and support each other’s resolutions. Next fall, students interested in public policy and debate will have a chance to participate in Youth Legislature. The Youth Legislature conference is usually held at the state capitol, where students get to debate issues of importance to Louisiana from the desks of state senators and state representatives. 

Recognized with Presiding Officers Choice Award: Jack Ezell, Carter McLean, Thomas O’Connor

Resolutions Formally Debated: Thomas O’Connor, Carter McLean & Jack Ezell; Emily Berg & Davis Eglin

Resolutions Debated and Approved: Lucy Pellegrin & Caroline Wilcox; Julia Brinker & Miniya Malone; Ahebwa Muhumuza & Hayden Singh

Resolutions Debated and Approved by the Full UN: Alex & Emma Engstrom

Dr. Edwin Way is an Upper School social studies teacher.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics with high honors from Swarthmore College as well as a Master of Arts in East Asian studies from the University of Oregon. In addition, he completed a PhD in political science from Indiana University, Bloomington. He grew up overseas living in Egypt, Burkina Faso and Denmark, and worked and taught for a number of years in China. Edwin has taught at both the secondary and university level and led several groups of college students on study abroad experiences in eastern China.

Dr. Rebecca Kuhn, Global and Social Studies Director, Exchange Program Coordinator, and AP Psychology teacher, has taught social studies classes at Episcopal since 2016 including AP World History, World History, US History, and US Government.  Prior to moving to Baton Rouge, she lived and taught high school in South Korea and South Florida. She holds degrees from Sterling College, The University of Kansas, and Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Kuhn enjoys travelling, reading, and singing. She is married to Dr. Alan Newton.

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