By HEATH HARRISON
The Ironton Tribune

Talented and Gifted students from around the county got a chance to learn about world affairs and how one of its premier bodies works.
The Lawrence County ESC hosted its annual Model UN event in the Bowman Auditorium at Ohio University Southern on Friday, comprised of middle school students from St. Joseph, Rock Hill, Ironton, Dawson-Bryant and Symmes Valley schools, representing 13 countries.
Greta Taylor, student services coordinator for the ESC, said the event is important for the skills it teaches students.
“They learn to speak in front of a group, which can be hard, let alone for peers of their own age,” she said.
Kaylyn Taylor, gifted teacher from the Rock Hill Local School District said there is an additional benefit.
“There’s also all of the research they put into it,” she said.
One of the countries portrayed was especially timely to world events.
Aubree Markel, of Rock Hill Middle School, said they chose Palestine.
“We introduced resolutions, based on problems in Palestine,” she said. “You try to put people in that mind and setting. Then, you come with speeches for it.”
She said opposition is then heard, before a closing statement and vote.
Outstanding delegates for the event, in addition to Markel, were Lula Fuhr, of Rock Hill; Liam Basham, of Dawson-Bryant; Cyrus Chaffins, of Dawson-Bryant; Levi Deer, of Ironton; Briar Boothe, of Ironton; Sophia Rowe, of St. Joseph; Ella Damron, of Symmes Valley; and Mitchell Heighton, of St. Joseph.
Top countries were Somalia, comprised of Rock Hill students, Fiji, of Dawson-Bryant students, and Vietnam, of Symmes Valley students.