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From Rebuttal to Reward

Sophomore Nithish Jayaraj receives recognition for ‘Best Delegate for Joint Crisis Committee’: Republicans at Yale Model United Nations 50.

Emma Cherubini, Content Editor • February 1, 2024

Sophomore Nithish Jayaraj holding his Mode UN National Award given to him by Yale University.

Mrs. Jayaraj

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Nithish Jayaraj received Best Delegate Award at Yale University on January 18th-21.

Mrs. Jayaraj

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Sophomore Nithish Jayaraj at Yale University Awards Ceremony receiving Best Delegate for Joint Crisis Committee as Mitt Romney.

Mrs. Jayaraj

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Nithish Jayaraj, a sophomore at South Windsor High School, was recently recognized at Yale University as the ‘Best Delegate for Joint Crisis Committee: Republicans at Yale Model United Nations 50’. Jayaraj received an award for his exemplary defense rebuttal during the January 18th-21st conference at Yale University.

Model UN is a global organization for high school, and select college students, interested in debate and politics regarding foreign policy. Jayaraj has been involved in Model UN since his 9th grade year, and this year was assigned to the ‘Crisis Committee’ to represent Mitt Romney. The objective for this year’s debate was to hold a trial for Trump. Jayaraj’s role was to prevent former president Donald Trump from becoming the presidential nominee.

“The reason why Donald Trump’s trial was the most significant update for me was because I was able to be chosen as his defense rebuttal, and, although I was supposed to defend him, I turned on him in the middle of the trial and claimed he was solely responsible for causing January 6th, thereby making him constitutionally ineligible for the presidential election”, said Jayaraj.

This shocking stance Jayaraj took on turning on his party’s president was a defining moment in the trial for him, as it proved his positional integrity regardless of the situation at hand. Showing loyalty to the JCC situation and his role as Mitt Romney proved his devotion to Model UN, and led him to his success for the JCC.

Jayaraj was able to persuade the group, and the delegate representing Donald Trump, into choosing Mitt Romney as one of the three people selected from the Republican committee to defend Trump in his trial, while the Democratic Committee chose three people to act as the prosecution.

“I was very surprised because you can’t expect anything in Model UN. This motivates me to continue with my passion for public speaking and debate”, said Jayaraj.

As he pursues his Model UN and debate journey, he will continue to promote what this award represents, and the success that comes with it.

About the Contributor

Emma Cherubini, Content Editor

Emma Cherubini is the Content Editor of The Bobcat Prowl newspaper at South Windsor High School. She sets all deadlines and guidelines for articles, as well as helping staff writers with their topics and the writing process. She wants to major in journalism when she is older and hopes to go into combat or political journalism in the future. During her free time she can be seen playing soccer for South Windsor High School, diving for South Windsor High School, walking her dogs outside, working at the pool as a lifeguard, or shopping with friends.