At an international competition for collegiate Model United Nations teams, Adams State University freshman Ayzlynn Sowards won best delegate. The Model UN Conference was held in Manheim, Germany, in early April.
“I stood out because of my knowledge,” Sowards said. She spent months researching, keeping up with current events, and preparing for questions and how to persuade the other country delegates. “As the best delegate I knew my country, gave the best speeches and wrote the best resolution paper.”
An anthropology and political science major, Sowards spoke in front of about 40 people. “Model UN provides the opportunity to become comfortable with public speaking; has taught me how to compromise; and how to get the best out of a situation.”
Students from around the world competed in Manheim. “I loved the experience,” Sowards added. “I met people from Germany, India, France, and the United Kingdom and I’m remaining in touch with them.”
Professor of Political Science and Model UN Advisor Mari Centeno, Ph.D., makes a point of exposing the Adams State students to an international conference every year. “I am so incredibly proud of Ayzlynn. She has come so far since she first began training. When I first saw her speak at the conference, I knew she’d be in the running for an award. By the last day, I was positive she would win. I expect a lot from my team. They train six hours a week with me, not to mention all of the individual research and preparation they must do on their own. Ayzlynn maintained the most positive attitude during the trip, even when we were all exhausted. She even wanted to keep training after the conference was over. That’s the kind of student dedication I live for as an advisor.”
A native of Sanford, Colo., and 2024 Centauri High School graduate, Sowards plans to become a foreign service officer. “All of the Adams State delegates did really well. There were a lot of good speeches and we had fun and bonded. Dr. Centeno was a rock and kept us going.”
Her father, Steven Sowards, Adams State Class of 2007, encouraged Ayzlynn to join the team. “He was active in Model UN as a student and knew how much I would love it.”
