Four Lone Star College-CyFair students, along side other Lone Star College System students, earned the Distinguished Delegation Award at the National Model United Nations Conference for the first time in LSC history.

“Obtaining this award is no small enterprise, as our students participate with prestigious colleges and universities from around the world including Harvard, MIT and The London School of Economics,” said Amy Acord, LSC-CyFair Model United Nations (Model UN) club advisor. “The award is the culmination of several months of in-depth research and writing on important global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, the politics of international economic development and humanitarian disasters, just to name a few.”

While staying in the heart of Manhattan and only a few blocks from Time Square, these students were not in New York for sightseeing, (though they had one afternoon to sight see) but for business – to represent the Union of Myanmar in both formal and informal meetings at the week-long conference.

The LSC-CyFair Model UN club members Dehua Lea, Katrina Vera, Mahrukh Nasir and Jennifer Gonzalez were to maintain diplomatic behavior and stay in character as the Myanmar delegation while serving on the UN General Assembly Plenary, First, Second andT committees as well as on specialized committees including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Environment Program.

The conference was the culmination of months of preparation, said Amy Acord, club advisor. Their hard work and dedication went above and beyond the call of duty.

“It was worth the experience,” said Vera.

The students were rewarded for their effort with the Distinguished Delegation Award, but that was only one highlight of the conference.

“One of the most exciting parts of this experience was sitting where the actual UN delegates sit,” said Gonzalez.

Another great thing is all the friends she made across the world, she said.

And whether or not the students pursue a career in political science like Lea, the experience will enhance their resumes.

They all gained an increased understanding of the difficulty of international diplomacy as well as skills that will help them throughout their education and careers.

“We learned some insane research skills,” Lea said.

In addition, Nasir said they learned leadership, teamwork and negotiation skills.

For information on the Model UN club, contact Acord, professor of political science, at 281-290-5919.