The St. Michael High School Model United Nations team hosted its 4th Annual Cardinal Model UN (MUN) Conference earlier this month.

Each of the committees at the conference covered a different aspect of the Russia-Ukraine War.

Since 2019, the St. Michael Model UN Team has organized and hosted six Model UN Conferences for area students. This year, the 4th Annual Cardinal Model UN Conference was the second largest conference ever sponsored by St. Michael with 128 students from the Alabama School of Math and Science, Bayshore Christian, Bayside Academy, Christ the King, Fairhope High School, Greene County High School, Saint Benedict, Saint Patrick, Saint Michael, Spanish Fort High School, Thompson High School, and one home-schooled student.

Led by St. Michael Co-Chairs Tradd McDaniel and Lexi Kruse, the delegates in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) addressed the refugee crisis fostered by the Russia-Ukraine War. Led by St. Michael Co-Chairs Mimi Smith and Natalia Pyatt, the delegates in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) addressed war crimes committed during the Russia-Ukraine War. Led by St. Michael Co-Chairs Marguerite Cowles and Morgan Blackinton, the delegates in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) debated expanding NATO membership to include Finland, Sweden, and Ukraine during a crisis simulation with a "visit" by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

During the closing ceremony, many of the students were recognized for their conference preparation and participation. Best Position Paper Awards for students completing research and optional position papers for their countries were presented to St. Michael students Dayla Anderson, LeeAn Bonner, and John Newman. Alabama School of Math and Science student Sara John, Fairhope student Ana Kangsumrith, Greene County students Brianna Jackson and Arriuna Taylor, and St. Michael students Conner Brown, Andrew Kiernan, Josh Kurz, Minna Sellers, and Lauren Wood received Best Position Paper Honorable Mention Awards.

Best Delegate Awards were selected by the Committee Chairs for those students who best represented and advocated for their country and were presented to Thompson High School student Philip Martin and St. Michael students Conner Brown and Judah McAleer. Fairhope student Ana Kangsumrith, Thompson High School student Caledonia Culver, and St. Michael students Jeb Bathrick, Caity Beaman, LeeAnn Bonner, Franklin Kasch, John Newman, and Minna Sellers received Best Delegate Honorable Mention Awards.

Finally, Delegate Choice Awards were voted on by the student participants and presented to Thompson High School student Philip Martin and St. Michael students Conner Brown and John Traveis. Christ the King student Mason Maldonis, and St. Michael students Jeb Bathrick, LeeAnn Bonner, and Sophie Musselman received Honorable Mention Delegate Choice Awards.

With the 21 awards won by St. Michael students, the St. Michael team has now surpassed 100 awards in the last three years with 114 awards. Those awards include one Best Delegation Award, 15 gavels for Best Delegate or Rapporteur Awards, and 56 Position Paper Awards.

To secure those awards, the St. Michael team has won the most awards among attending schools at seven of eight conferences.