Father Judge H.S. wins 4th Model U.N. title

Father Judge High School is a world champion.

For a fourth year, it has won the the top prize in the Model United Nations competition, which was held over the weekend in New York.

The team included students from Father Judge and North Catholic High Schools in Northeast Philadelphia and students from Salesianum School in Wilmington, Del.

"We couldn't believe it," said Rev. John Hurley, coach of the DeSales Oblate Schools Team, the name of the team comprising the three high schools.

The 55 male students competed in New York this weekend against 2,300 students from over 30 countries, including Israel, Russia, Denmark and South Africa.

The team won the world title in 2007, 2006 and 2001.

During this weekend's competition, the team's reputation as defending champions allowed them a 30-minute meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In simulating the work of the United Nations, the DeSales Oblate Schools Team represented China. The members debated on issues such as AIDS, International Terrorism and the world's food crisis.