Lakeland High Schools Model UN club attended Boise State’s third annual Frank Church Model UN conference on Feb. 22 to 24.
While LHS students competed at high levels of debate and solving world problems over the weekend, one student took it home with her.
Sahsa Hall is a senior at LHS who has been in the Model UN Club since her Sophomore year. Hall has been there since the start of the Model UN Club and is the only senior this year.
Over the weekend, Hall won the service award at Boise State’s award ceremony, and this award is for all the hard work and dedication that Hall has put into the club over the last couple of years.
“I had no clue I was going to win an award,” Hall said. “When the guy was introducing it, I actually disqualified myself because of how much praise he was giving it.”
After winning Best Delegate two years in a row, Hall took a giant step up, winning the Service Award, a first time award for the competition.
Her advisor, Shanda Heacock, had been conversing with the Frank Church Model UN directors and told them about Hall’s hard work over the past couple of years, but mostly how she stepped up this year and took on a more significant role.
The directors found this inspiring for a new award and decided to see if any other delegates would qualify for what they have done for their club.
While the choice may not have been easy, Hall’s fantastic work ethic and guidance toward her club and teacher made her stand out.
“I was completely surprised when he called my name and flattered too. I don’t feel that I should have won it, but I do appreciate it,” Hall said.
While Hall may not have felt she should have won, her club members would disagree. Seeing how hard Hall has worked and how helpful she has been in teaching her teammates all to be better delegates and increasing their intelligence, it is easy to see that Hall was the best choice for this award.
Sadly, Hall’s time with Model UN ended after this year.
“Unfortunately, I’ve already chosen the colleges that I intend to go to, and neither of them have an MUN team,” Hall said. “Also, given the choice, I would rather do debate than MUN. Hypothetically speaking, if the college did not have a debate team, I would love to join.”
While Hall moves on with her college life and does other things, she sure did end her final year on a high note.
Hall encourages people to join Model UN if they have the chance.
“Model UN is an awesome way to strengthen your beliefs and learn how to argue for them. It is also funner with friends,” Hall said.
Hall has always inspired her team and will be greatly missed by the Model UN Club.
