Ashton debaters participated in the ACCAS Model United Nations event last weekend and came back with many awards! Our Head of School, Mrs. Gygax, as Vice-President of ACCAS had the honor to share the opening words.
[Click here to view gallery of photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CZ4nzFWwhy2VNiz27]
Opening words:
“Good morning to everyone who is joining us today for this exciting event.
On behalf of the Association of Colombian and Caribbean American Schools, familiarly
known as ACCAS, I want to welcome you to our now, annual ACCAS Model United
Nations encounter. I want to extend a special welcome and a heartfelt word of
congratulations to our honorable delegates from the participating schools. Just being
here today is reason enough for us to say congratulations for being bold enough and
committed enough to take on this challenge and this opportunity.
I am quite sure that all of you are accustomed to hearing the term ACCAS. Over the
years, we have come together to enjoy sports tournaments, drama and arts festivals,
spelling bees, community service initiatives and more recently, our ACCAS MUN. But
perhaps you have never heard a little bit about what ACCAS, as an association, is
committed to pursuing. So, let me quote just three of the fundamental principles from
the By-Laws that govern our association:
● to promote the concept of International understanding and friendship,
● to promote a partnership between pupils, parents, and faculty of different
nationalities,
● to encourage Interchange and dialogue between member schools
We have truly witnessed the above-mentioned in the variety of events in which we have
engaged as an Association, and I am confident that what will unfold here over the next
two days will allow us to witness interchange, understandings, dialogue, partnerships
and most importantly, friendship, as you work hard to be diplomatic and effective
delegates.
I want to close by acknowledging that none of this would have been possible without
the work of our planning committee. Thank you to our faculty advisors:
- Paola Pellice (Coord. SMS)
- Leyti De los Santos (Coord. Ashton)
- Victoria Luciano (Coord. SCS)
And thank you to the amazing students who form part of the planning committee:
● Ximena González (SCS)
● Salma Hage (SCS)
● Ashley Grullón (SCS)
● Sara Santana (SCS)
● Sofía Lulo (SCS)
● Mariel Kamil (SCS)
● María F. Montes (SCS)
● Gabriel Bretón (SCS)
● Lucía Bisonó (SMS)
May this be a thoroughly rewarding experience for all you as you display diplomacy at its
finest!”
Ashton Awards:
Best Delegation: Spain: Lourdes Bravo e Isabela Lithgow.
Distinguished Delegation: Germany: Miranda Almonte & Myrna Paulino
Best Negotiator: USA: Eric Bello & Thiago Monagas
Best Oratory: Germany: Miranda Almonte y Myrna Paulino
Best Best position Paper: China: Gianna Marcano & María Eugenia Ventura
2023-2024 Participants
We would like to thank all Ashton participants for their dedication and effort in representing the school so well. We hope the knowledge and skills learned continue shaping your minds and hearts:
Spain Commission
Lourdes Bravo
Isabela Lithgow
Germany Commission
Miranda Almonte
Myrna Paulino
Brasil Commission
Miranda Jimenez
Miranda Taveras
China Commission:
Maria Eugenia Ventura
Gianna Marcano
United States Commission:
Eric Bello
Thiago Monagas
Australia Commission:
Dylan Alejo
Diego Gutiérrez
Captain: Manuel Peña
Coaches: Lobsang Mercedes & María José Caminero