St. Benedict students shine at Model UN Conference
January 13, 2026 at 5:20 p.m.
Some 20 students from St. Benedict School Middle School Model United Nations Club, Holmdel, recently participated in the CBA MiddleMun Conference, where they received eight awards and earned the honor of Best Small Delegation.
The conference, hosted by Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, was the largest MiddleMun conference to date, bringing together 16 schools, including Catholic schools from across the Diocese as well as private and public schools. While many schools hailed from Monmouth County, participants also traveled from neighboring counties as well.
Throughout the day, St. Benedict students demonstrated collaboration and respectful diplomacy as they debated global issues with their peers. The students were challenged to articulate positions clearly, listen attentively to opposing viewpoints and work toward consensus.
The mission of the CBA Model United Nations Service Organization (MUNSO) seeks to build community through service while developing globally aware leaders. Through Model UN, students are encouraged to think critically about international issues, practice civil discourse, and engage in projects that promote diplomacy, civic responsibility and ethical leadership.
The eight students who earned medals of achievement were: Alexa Mallack, Best Position Paper; Frank Picciolo, Outstanding Delegate; Frank Picciolo, Honorable Mention Position Paper; Everett Letowsky, Honorable Mention Delegate; Nicholai Kolodziej, Honorable Mention Delegate; Jasin Duka, Best Delegate.
Student Arnie Sharma received the, Secretary General’s List, which is in honor of Aidan Zagel, who graduated from St. Benedict School and CBA and currently attends Harvard University. Zagel served as president of the Model UN while attending CBA and he assisted with organizing the Middle School Model UN conference. In addition to the certificate, Sharma also received a note from Zagel who encouraged young Model UN members to continue learning and participating.
The team from St. Benedict School was honored as Best Small Delegation.
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Some 20 students from St. Benedict School Middle School Model United Nations Club, Holmdel, recently participated in the CBA MiddleMun Conference, where they received eight awards and earned the honor of Best Small Delegation.
The conference, hosted by Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, was the largest MiddleMun conference to date, bringing together 16 schools, including Catholic schools from across the Diocese as well as private and public schools. While many schools hailed from Monmouth County, participants also traveled from neighboring counties as well.
Throughout the day, St. Benedict students demonstrated collaboration and respectful diplomacy as they debated global issues with their peers. The students were challenged to articulate positions clearly, listen attentively to opposing viewpoints and work toward consensus.
The mission of the CBA Model United Nations Service Organization (MUNSO) seeks to build community through service while developing globally aware leaders. Through Model UN, students are encouraged to think critically about international issues, practice civil discourse, and engage in projects that promote diplomacy, civic responsibility and ethical leadership.
The eight students who earned medals of achievement were: Alexa Mallack, Best Position Paper; Frank Picciolo, Outstanding Delegate; Frank Picciolo, Honorable Mention Position Paper; Everett Letowsky, Honorable Mention Delegate; Nicholai Kolodziej, Honorable Mention Delegate; Jasin Duka, Best Delegate.
Student Arnie Sharma received the, Secretary General’s List, which is in honor of Aidan Zagel, who graduated from St. Benedict School and CBA and currently attends Harvard University. Zagel served as president of the Model UN while attending CBA and he assisted with organizing the Middle School Model UN conference. In addition to the certificate, Sharma also received a note from Zagel who encouraged young Model UN members to continue learning and participating.
The team from St. Benedict School was honored as Best Small Delegation.