Okeeheelee Middle Hosts United Nations Model Assembly

The International Spanish Academy (ISA) at Okeeheelee Middle School organized the 1^st United Nations Model Assembly where students from the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program also participated.

Student delegations from Australia, China, Pakistan, Spain, United States and Venezuela discussed different topics, provided points of information and made decisions to solve worldwide issues. The countries were chosen based on diversity and to provide different viewpoints based on culture, economic status and political views.

Some of the topics discussed were the use of fossil fuels vs. alternative fuels, the Palestine’s right to weapons, the Colombia/Venezuela dispute among others. Students and teachers prepared for the event for three weeks. Each student had a country project assigned and conducted research about the population, religious beliefs, economic status and political views. Consequently, the committees were formed and students determined a problem that applied to all countries so it can be debated.   

“I learned that you can truly make a difference. This project was a lot of work but it helped me really understand other cultures. It also helped me with my public speaking skills and world knowledge,” said Manuela Ceballos, 8^th grade student at Okeeheelee Middle.

Mr. Ray Ranghelli acted as the Secretary General and Mr. Rubén Alanís as the President of the General Assembly. The Keynote speaker was principal, Dr. David Samore who reminded students about the challenges of the world and encourage them to continue working hard and pursuing their dreams.

The seven committees included: 

• Economic/Social: Nia Woodward, Nicole Navarro, Paula Grisales, Cody Payne, Ástrid Soriano and David Aguilar. 
• Disarmament: Natalie Rodríguez, Luis Miguel Rodríguez, Gabriel Delgadino, Álvaro Chaux, Daniela Vélez and Delani Wood. 
• Peace Building: Michelle Montes, Juan Felipe Matiz, Kaylin Avenia, Leslie Román, Olvin Barrientos and Brianna Hernández. 
• Environment (A): Daniela Rodriguez, Nkrumah Gowie, Mattew Haynes, Zhane Browns, Nicholas Guillén and Patrick Michalski. 
• Environment (B): Paula Parra, Stephanie Alvarado, Katelyn Schmiedel, Cynthia Rodríguez, Karishma Patel and Jason Pineda. 
• Human Rights: Manuela Ceballos, Diaman Rivera, Elizabeth Rohlfs, Maria Montoya, Marlene Vishno and Juliana García. 
• Security: Héctor Moráles, Néstor Pérez, Roxanna Salazar, Stephanie Rodríguez, Cicero Carvalho and Fabiola Canola.

For more information contact Nitza Maldonado at (561) 434-3200 or via e-mail at   maldona@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.