Model United Nations, or Model UN, teams from Hays High School have been preparing for the convention at Wichita State University on Jan. 19.

There are 12 students attending, and they are split into groups of three. They will represent the countries of Brazil, Columbia, France and Poland.

The topics for Model UN this year are the prevention of nuclear weapons in space and protection of migrants. Teams must research their countries’ stance on these issues and come up with evidence and arguments to support their stance. Students can meet on their own time to discuss strategies or can utilize Hays High’s library on Tuesdays during PRIDE Time, as there is a reserved space for them to prepare.

This is the second year that a group of Hays High students will be going to Model UN, once again sponsored by gifted education teacher Jerry Braun.

“We know a little bit more than we did last year, so I feel like we are better prepared to go and actually participate more,” Braun said. “Last year, we mostly soaked it in and figured out what it was all about, but this year, I think we’ll be able to actually engage more in the process.”

25rbates@usd489.com