For the fourth straight year, South Middle School placed first in the Model United Nations competition in Topeka.

More than 500 students from across the region represented countries from around the world and practiced diplomacy at the event last week.

South Middle School also won the Jenay Weekly Award for service, which is given to the team that represents dedication, integrity and commitment. The school’s team representing Iran placed first for middle school position paper, and the team representing Pakistan placed first for middle school.

Student Stefan Petrovic also was given three awards: first place for middle school delegate, first place for best delegate from a security council and best speaker in the council.

Southwest Middle School also took home prizes from the competition. Eighth-grader Ethan Kallenberger won best speech in the General Assembly I and seventh-grader Sabrea Platz won best delegate in World Council II. Becca Moran, an eighth-grader, won best delegate in World Council I and the third best overall middle school delegate.