After an impressive showing at the Rocky Mountain Regional tournament in February, during which they earned the highest award of outstanding delegation, the U’s Model Arab League had one more goal: to translate their success to a national stage.
That’s exactly what they did last week from March 30 to April 2 at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.
For the first time in U Model Arab League history, a team of 14 competitors-accompanied by Debbie Dilley, nationals chief of staff and U Middle East Center administrative assistant and Faculty Adviser Abdul-Qayum Mohmand-garnered Model Arab League’s most coveted prize of National Outstanding Delegation.
The squad of U students represented Jordan during the competition by collaborating, debating and forming resolutions with delegations from 23 other universities, which represented as many Arab nations.
In addition to their Outstanding Delegation award, U competitors won seven individual prizes for Outstanding Delegate and Honorable Mention.
Dilley noted the team members were excited because they annihilated Brigham Young University’s representatives who garnered just three individual awards-without a single delegation award.
She added that the U should have received more individual awards, however BYU took them due to certain politics of the competition.
Team captain Jack Lewis, who also received an individual award as the Outstanding Delegate in Environmental Council, said he was impressed by the U’s performance.
“We surpassed our expectations,” he said. “It was an honor to bring home [Outstanding Delegation]. We prepared to the best or our ability; we knew the competition would be difficult, so we prepared.” Lewis also attributed the team’s success in part to individual motivation, team cooperation and unity.
Dilley said the achievement helps garner national prestige for the U. “I think we’ve finally proven to the national colleges that we are a powerhouse,” Dilley said.
Dilley added the U team awed faculty from other universities and event officials.
“We got a lot of comments from people who were impressed at how well we were portraying what Jordan would really be doing,” she said. The U’s team will meet later this month to begin organizing their leaders and preparing for next year’s competitions.
U Model Arab League National Honors
Overall outstanding delegationJordanian Council
Outstanding delegates in Palestinian AffairsNate LandonAnisa Ramallah
Outstanding delegates in Joint Defense CouncilMike MurrellKellie Stirling
Outstanding delegate in Environmental CouncilJack Lewis (president)
Honorable Mention in Heads of State CouncilDan HeatonJason Weitzel