Two days worth of campaigning paid off for two GlenOak students.
Juniors Lucy Shaheen and Zach Drylund won leadership positions on the OMUN council for the 2024-25 school year. The announcement was made on Dec. 5 at the closing ceremony of the OMUN conference in Columbus.
Shaheen, who has been involved in OMUN since the 7th grade, now holds a position of Small Council Vice President.
As small council VP, Shaheen will assist in small council, rounds of debate where resolutions are read.
“I typically run for positions in all the activities that I really love, I like being able to represent my peers and have a voice in said activities,” Shaheen said.
Dyrlund, who has also been involved in OMUN since the 7th grade, now holds the position of President of the General Assembly, which is the top leadership position in OMUN. Essentially, Dyrlund presides and fosters debate for over 1,300 students who participate every year.
For many students, OMUN is a way to talk about world issues they are passionate about or advocate for, but also a way to build confidence in themselves and their speaking skills.
¨OMUN was the start of a journey to have more self-confidence. I started learning how to make connections with new people quickly and I gained more confidence in my public speaking ability, and it inspired me to take more leadership positions in other parts of my life,¨ Dyrlund said.
These skills were useful for Dyrlund when running for General Assebmly President.
¨I managed to talk and connect to hundreds of students and people.¨ Dyrlund said.
On top of running for these leadership positions, the 21 students who attended, including Shaheen and Dyrlund, worked together to form resolutions designed to solve an issue that is apparent in their chosen country. Students spent the majority of their conference presenting them and competing against other groups. Two students won outstanding awards.
Senior Corrie Schorsten won outstanding leader, and freshmen Rachel Talbott won outstanding delegate.
While debating at OMUN, countries whose resolutions make it through the first large round of debate move onto the next round, called General Assembly. This is where students start to debate every resolution that is still standing in long sessions. Two countries from GlenOak, Rwanda and Spain, were able to move on.
GlenOak students had a very enjoyable weekend in Columbus, and were successful while doing so.
