Students from Notre Dame High School recently participated in Sr. Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) in Columbus at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in December. Nearly 1500 students from throughout the state participated in Ohio's largest global education program. Sr. OMUN is sponsored by Ohio Leadership Institute in order to help Ohio's young people develop a greater understanding of the United Nations, the world's largest peace keeping and humanitarian organization and to help build leadership skills in Ohio's youth.

During the weekend delegates from member nations presented and debated originally written resolutions following weeks of intense research. Delegates select a nation and represent that nation during the lively three-day simulation. Students are involved in conducting extensive research, writing resolutions, developing support for their resolutions, learning debate procedures and preparing to represent their nation in council sessions and in front of the OMUN general assembly.

In addition to the OMUN simulation students are involved in numerous global education contests during the weekend. Students serve as leaders of the simulation and are eligible for numerous contest and leadership awards during the weekend. Students also attend an International Summit and end the weekend with an International Celebration.

Eight students from Notre Dame High School traveled to Columbus Dec. 10-12 to participate in Ohio Model United Nations. This is the first time that Notre Dame has participated in this event. There were only two schools from Scioto County represented at OMUN, the other being Minford high School.

There were a total of 151 countries represented by teams from many different schools across the state of Ohio. Notre Dame's team was one of few whose resolution was approved to be presented before the General Assembly. Only 33 Country's resolutions were chosen to be presented and debated before the entire General Assembly. Radhika Patel, Katie Hopkins, Astra Ng and Kyle Tennant participated in individual contests during the weekend. Kyle Tennant was also selected to receive a leadership award for his work in organizing the Notre Dame team.

Ohio Leadership Institute sponsors Sr. OMUN for students in grades 9-12, Jr. OMUN for students in grades 6-8, as well as, summer residential leadership camps for students in grades 2-12. For more information about these leadership-building programs for Ohio's youth, visit the Institute's web site at www.OhioLeader.com or call toll free at 1-888-878-LEAD to request more information.

If you are interested in joining OMUN at NDHS, contact the school or Patty Tennant, the club's advisor.