U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza Congratulates Model United Nations Winners

U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza personally congratulated award-winning Model United Nations students from Puerto Rico, who visited the U.S. Embassy on March 20 to learn more about the U.S.-Mexico relationship and careers in the Foreign Service. Students from four high schools in Puerto Rico -- the Colegio de la Providencia, Colegio San Antonio Abad, Colegio San Antonio, and Colegio de Diego de Carolina -- traveled to Mexico to compete in a three-day Model U.N. conference held at the American High School in Puebla. The group walked away with five first place awards, won by Aurea Cruz for the Committee on Human Rights, Glenn Velazquez for the Committee on Food and Population Assistance, Gabriel Medina for the Committee on International Terrorism, Anais Reyes, for the Committee on Autonomy and Self-Governance; and Edward Betancourt, for his performance in the General Assembly.

During their visit to the Embassy, students met with Deputy Political Counselor John Feeley and Political Officer Ken Forder, who explained how they advocated USG positions to their Mexican counterparts. Ambassador Garza urged students to "promote the spirit of public service," emphasizing the benefits of volunteer work in their home communities and future careers.

Ivette Frontera, one of the teachers accompanying the model diplomats, said the visit was an invaluable experience "for our students to become familiar with the work of U.S. Embassies abroad and to continue learning about the international issues we studied in Puerto Rico."

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