MARTIN, Tenn. – Four students from the University of Tennessee at Martin traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, and won five awards at the 2025 Southern Regional Model United Nations. The SRMUN is an academic simulation involving students who take on the roles of delegates representing different countries in the United Nations, consisting of 476 delegates from 32 different colleges, representing over 70 countries.
The UT Martin team included Ryan Lutes, a junior from Milan double-majoring in political science and global studies; Brayden Smith, a freshman from Huron majoring in music education; Heavan Raymer-Holt, a senior from Nashville majoring in political science, and Laura Stone, a junior from Springfield majoring in accounting. The team was led by Dr. Carrie Humphreys, associate professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and Global Studies.
To participate in a model UN, the students had to research their country’s policies and use that information to debate global issues and write resolutions, helping them to develop skills in diplomacy and negotiation, critical thinking and public speaking.
The team represented the country Cabo Verde in the model and won several awards both as individual members and as a team. Ryan Lutes and Brayden Smith represented their country in a mock General Assembly Plenary, discussing the digital rights and privacy of children and sports as a means of sustainable development. Ryan and Brayden won the “Best Position Paper” award with a perfect score, as well as the “Best Delegate” award for their committee.
Heavan Raymer-Holt and Laura Stone represented their country in the simulated World Health Organization Assembly, discussing private sector health care and issues surrounding opioid addiction. Heavan and Laura also won a “Best Delegate” award for their committee.
As a whole, the UT Martin team was given the “Outstanding Position Paper” award and the “Outstanding Delegation” award, both of which were the highest possible level of the awards given.
“Moden UN is a great experience for anyone willing to step out of their comfort zone and think critically about real-world issues,” said Stone. “It also provides a unique perspective on some topics when you must represent a country that may have different views than your own or that you have just not heard of before.”
Other students said that the SRMUN helped build valuable skills, such as writing and research, formal and informal debate, leadership and public speaking skills.
“We were one of only six teams awarded the outstanding distinction, and this is the first time UT Martin has achieved the highest level of honor,” said Humphreys. “They made history by becoming our (UT Martin’s) most decorated team ever.”
More information about the Southern Regional Model United Nations can be viewed on their official website at www.srmun.org. Any questions about the UT Martin SRMUN team can be directed to Humphreys at chumph16@utm.edu. ###
Photo– Four UT Martin students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, and won five awards at the 2025 Southern Regional Model United Nations. Traveling to the competition were (from left) Dr. Carrie Humphreys, associate professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and Global Studies; Ryan Lutes, a junior from Milan double-majoring in political science and global studies; Laura Stone, a junior from Springfield majoring in accounting; Brayden Smith, a freshman from Huron majoring in music education; and Heavan Raymer-Holt, a senior from Nashville majoring in political science.