Students from Springfield International Charter School (SICS) demonstrated exceptional leadership at the 83rd American International College (AIC) Model Congress, with their delegation taking home the top three awards and being named the Best Delegation. This recognition is given to the team that worked best together during debate.
Melina Greene from SICS was named the top delegate and was awarded the Kathryn Mauke Scholarship, a full four-year tuition scholarship to American International College. The scholarship was named in memory of Kathryn Mauke, the top delegate at the 75th Model Congress in 2015. Justin Vien of SICS secured the second-place award, receiving a $10,000 scholarship to AIC for four years, while SICS's Brian Starzyk was awarded the third-place scholarship of $5,000 to AIC for four years.
In addition to SICS's success, Nolan Chamberland of Agawam High School received an honorable mention, and Chamberland, along with his bill co-sponsor Christopher Rondinelli, won the Best Bill award. Giovanna Capuno of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham also received an honorable mention, and her school was awarded the Spirit Award for demonstrating the highest level of participation, enthusiasm, and team spirit.
Each of the 70 Model Congress attendees was awarded a $1,000 scholarship if they choose to attend AIC in the future. Participating schools also included Chatham High School in Chatham, New York, Chicopee Comprehensive High School, East Longmeadow High School, East Windsor High School, Longmeadow High School, Pope Francis High School in Springfield, Poultney High School in Poultney, Vermont, and Southwick Regional High School.
AIC’s Model Congress, founded in 1940, is the oldest continuously running student congress in the United States and one of the oldest traditions at the College. Since its inception, the program has brought over 14,000 high school students across the region to campus to write, debate, and pass legislation in a simulated congress. The 2023 event was the first one held in person since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.