Country School Students Awarded at Model UN

For the past decade Country School students have been participating in the Kingswood Oxford Model UN, an academic simulation of the United Nations where students from area schools play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies and perspectives of their assigned country. This year longstanding Model UN coach Jason Wainio partnered with Country School alumnus and former student–now colleague–Peter Burdge ‘09 to coach a team of 13 Middle School students. 

The Country School students, representing Australia, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria, were assigned to different committees and tasked with producing and passing a resolution which outlines the problems that the countries want to solve and their proposed solutions. Prior to the event, Wainio and Burdge guided the students in the research of their countries and how each is affected by climate change. From their research, each delegate gave a speech to their committee detailing their country’s policy and important issues to be addressed. They then spent the day working with delegates representing other countries to resolve the climate crisis and come to productive solutions. 

Based on the students’ knowledge of their country and topic, ability to collaborate with other delegates to move to a resolution, communication skills, decorum, and demonstrated leadership, the committee chairs selected award recipients. Country School students performed impressively. Eighth Graders Milo Burch, Harrison Hodge, and Christopher Yuh of Madison and 7th Grader Alexander Monin of Branford were named four of the six Best Delegates. Eighth Grader Natalie Yuh of Madison earned Outstanding Delegate and 7th Grader Elizabeth Rogers of Madison received an Honorable Mention. 

Founded in 1955, The Country School serves 225 students in PreSchool-Grade 8 on its 23-acre campus in Madison. The Country School honors students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity. The school’s integrated curriculum aligns rigorous academics with a commitment to character and leadership development. Learn more at https://www.thecountryschool.org.