Buffalo Grove sophomore wins Model United Nations award

Sophomore Max Sharipov of Buffalo Grove captured Buffalo Grove High School's first Model United Nations award earlier this month.

Sixteen Buffalo Grove High School delegates competed over a recent weekend in a four-day mock conference, where students also had the opportunity to listen to diplomats from 15 different countries, including a U.S. diplomat for Russia who worked under a presidential administration.

Out of 1,100 students, 50 schools, and five international schools, Sharipov was designated "Outstanding Delegate" for his portrayal of the late Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, whose efforts to democratize his country's political system and decentralize its economy led to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1990.

"Max really did a lot of background research in order to embody the spirit of Gorbachev," said Model United Nations sponsor and Buffalo Grove High School social science teacher Jeanne Shin-Cooper.

"He acted very well in character and was able to convince other student delegates through diplomacy to get actions moved in his committee."

The event, held by the Chicago International Model United Nations Dec. 11-14, allows students to compete through simulation of the United Nations. Students act as delegates from countries and role-play different present-day or historical scenarios.

Skills required are research, public speaking, negotiation and overall diplomacy.

"I am amazed and proud of our Model United Nations students," added Shin-Cooper. "In only our second year as a club, we were able to bring home to BG a very prestigious award."

The other Buffalo Grove High School delegates were Jaymee Baron, Yavuz Baysal, Tim Gerling, Sarah Larson, Blake Ledna, Harris Lynch, Sam Numerowski, Miriam Ritter, Young Shim, Jaclyn Trauscht, Ana Uribe, Debbie Wiegand, and Jack Williams.