NORFOLK, VA. – On March 15th 2023, high school students from around the Hampton Roads participated in the annual Model NATO Challenge. Students represented each of the 30 NATO countries as Student Ambassadors, learning from military officials in a strategic problem-solving challenge; top Student Ambassadors won scholarship funds.
The official winners of the Model NATO Challenge are Jonathan Powell – Norview High School, representing Germany, mentored by Commander Christoph Kohlmorgen, German Navy; Owen Johnson – Norfolk Academy, representing Montenegro, mentored by Colonel Zivko Rakocevic, Montenegro Army; and Wyatt Key – Oscar Smith High School, representing United Kingdom, mentored by Wing Commander Carl Coleman, United Kingdom Air Force.
The top three Student Diplomats earned a monetary compensation towards their college education. Every year, NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and the Virginia Arts Festival host the Model NATO Challenge and the NATO Festival in Norfolk, NATO’s home in North America. Click here to learn more about this year’s challenge.
“Participating in the Model NATO Challenge was truly an honour. Being in a room with intelligent and like-minded individuals created an atmosphere of unity and camaraderie. As a student looking toward a future in foreign affairs, an opportunity like this was extremely valuable and helped me better understand this sector and cultivate the necessary skills for a related profession,” shared Aria Benzant-Feldra, Student Ambassador representing Portugal.
Leleya Stallard, Student Ambassador of Belgium, also commented: “Participating as a student diplomat in the Model NATO Challenge was unlike any academic experience I have been a part of. It was unique in that it exposed me to a new outlook on international relations, the beauty and importance of alliances, and the fast-paced, crucial cooperation of global diplomacy. My mentor has been so helpful in teaching me the political and military elements of Belgium and hearing other student diplomats discuss their country has been so educational and valuable.”
Wing Commander Carl Coleman from the United Kingdom, shared his reflections: “It is a privilege to have been allowed to mentor a student ambassador for the Model NATO Challenge 2023 and introduce them to looking at world events through a different lens. Wyatt Key was the student ambassador for the United Kingdom, and is a bright and engaging young man, who was keen to learn as much as possible about the United Kingdom’s customs and history as well as its defence and foreign policies. He willingly devoted additional time to prepare for the event and was a delight to mentor. The overall standard of debate and analysis during the Challenge was impressive. As someone who is close to retirement from the military, it is reassuring to know that those who follow us through life are probably better than we were at their age.”
Congratulations to the top three Student Ambassadors on their achievements, as well as all Student Ambassadors, parents, teachers, and NATO participants on their intelligence, professionalism, and diplomatic performances.
Follow along for updates from NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and upcoming festivities in Norfolk Region.
Twitter: @NATO_ACT, @VaArtsFest, @vawesleyan; Facebook: NATO.ACT; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nato-act
