Hollins University students earned a number of honors at the Southeast Regional Model Arab League (SERMAL), held March 10-12 at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The Hollins student team represented Palestine at the conference, which is the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ flagship student leadership development program. The Model Arab League website states, “There is no comparable opportunity that allows emerging leaders to learn firsthand what it is like to put themselves in the shoes of real-life Arab diplomats and other foreign affairs practitioners. Model Arab League helps prepare students to be knowledgeable, well-trained, and effective citizens as well as civic and public affairs activists. The skill sets acquired and practiced in the course of the Models are designed to serve the participants well regardless of the career or profession they elect to pursue.”
Hanna Strauss ’19 and Hayley Harrington ’19 won the Outstanding Delegation Award for their work on the Palestinian Affairs Council. Reilly Swennes ’20 and Clara Souvignier ’20 were awarded Outstanding Delegation for their work on the Council of Arab Heads of State, while Emmalee Funk ’20 won the Distinguished Delegation Award for representing Palestine on the Political Affairs Council.
Professor of Political Science Ed Lynch, who serves as faculty advisor to the Model Arab League students, said Hollins is rightly proud of the students’ accomplishments. “These awards are based on the opinion of judges who observe the proceedings, along with the votes of students in the Councils. To win, delegates have to impress experienced Model Arab League experts as well as their own peers.”
Lynch added, “Hollins students at this year’s SERMAL have continued a long tradition of awards for our university in both Model Arab League and Model United Nations.” He noted that this year’s awards will be placed in Room 304 in Pleasants Hall alongside earlier honors won by Hollins.
Hollins Model Arab League students will next participate in the National Model Arab League in Washington, D.C., at the end of March. This is the first time that Hollins has earned a spot in the national conference, which is limited to 25 colleges nationwide.
SERMAL included 20 delegations from high schools and colleges in the region. Hollins will host the Appalachian Regional Model Arab League, November 10-12, 2017.
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