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About JUNA of Alabama
About JUNA of Alabama
The Junior United Nations Assembly (JUNA) of Alabama is a student-run model United Nations Assembly for Alabama students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.
Since 1991, JUNA has increased awareness of worldwide issues, demonstrated how the United Nations works, and emphasized the importance of diplomacy and problem-solving among nations, peoples, and cultures. More than 1,000 students from over 75 schools have participated. The two-day event includes a meeting of the Security Council, an Opening Assembly, Committee Meetings, and General Assembly meetings in which resolutions are presented, discussed, and voted upon. JUNA ends with a reception where awards are given and students' accomplishments are celebrated.
Each delegation, composed of four to six students, represents a different nation of their choosing (depending on availability). Guided by their teacher sponsor, students research their nation, identify a problem or issue in that country or elsewhere in the world, and write a resolution that proposes a solution to the issue. Resolutions are presented first in committees and, upon passage, are presented in the General Assembly. Here, delegates discuss, question, and vote just as they would in the real United Nations. Students wear the native dress of their country and make a flag to use for recognition in the General Assembly.
JUNA develops skills in public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership. Students in grades 9-12 can serve as Officers, Senior Assistants, Committee Chairs, Security Council Monitors, World Awareness Leaders, and on the JUNA Tech Team. One measure of JUNA's popularity is the number of students who return for second and third years at JUNA and then serve as student leaders and officers. The problem-solving and leadership skills that students learn at JUNA are skills that they can use for a lifetime.
⬆️ Click the button above to view JUNA's goals and objectives ⬆️
⬆️ Click the button above to view FAQ's ⬆️
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Devin Lewis Hudson
Devin Lewis Hudson
Devin Lewis Hudson is the current director of Junior United Nations of Alabama.
He formerly worked as a 6th Grade Social Studies teacher at i3 Academy, where he served as a JUNA sponsor from 2021-2025. While being involved in all aspects of JUNA, he has a focus on technology and introducing new learning experiences to delegates.
Devin is a 2022 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, earning a bachelor's in History. In addition to being director, he is a curriculum specialist for Sandpiper Advisory Group and is involved in multiple community programs focused on education.
MEET THE ADMIN TEAM
Ashley Adams
Ashley Adams works within the education system in Alabama. She was one of the first production assistants, alongside Elise, when the role was established. She specializes in communication, logistics, and training.
Ashley ensures all delegates' names are gathered, name tags are made, t-shirt sizes are ordered, sponsors are up to date, student leaders are trained, and more.
She served as a production assistant for three years while attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham and continued serving after graduation. Before that, Ashley also participated as a delegate and student leader.
Ashley began pursuing her master's in early childhood education at JSU in 2026.
Elise Kidd
Elise Kidd is a Digital Content Producer at WBRC 6 News in Birmingham. She was one of the first production assistant's, alongside Ashley, when the role was established. She specializes in technology and design.
Elise helps out with the tech team, refreshing the website and social media channels, designing the resolution book and t-shirt, training student leaders, communicating with student leaders and sponsors, as well as anything else the admin team may need from her.
She served as a production assistant for three years while attending the University of Montevallo and continued serving as one after graduation. Before that, she was a student leader for three years and a delegate.
Jacob Stanley
Jacob Stanley is a sponsor at Duran Junior High School in Pell City. He has been a part of the admin team since it was established for JUNA 2023. He specializes in sponsor training and security council.
Jacob helps out with training security council monitors, communicating with sponsors, and figuring out logistics behind the scenes of JUNA.
He served as a sponsor for a year before being asked to help out with security council and then join the admin team.
Reagan Wesley
Reagan Wesley is a student at the University of Alabama, studying nursing on the pre-med track. She serves as one of the three production assistants for JUNA. She specializes in communication, training, and logistics.
Reagan helps communicate with sponsors, she also helps train student leaders, and ensures all necessary information and documents are put together so that name tags, t-shirts, etc., are where they need to be for a smooth JUNA.
She has served as a production assistant for a couple of years and before that, she was a student leader and delegate.
JUNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Susan Dulin: Former Mountain Brook City Schools teacher, private tutor.
JohnMark Edwards: COO, i3 Academy, JUNA sponsor.
Carson Jones: Seven-year JUNA participant, Political consultant.
Melinda Storey: Retired teacher and JUNA Sponsor from Mountain Brook Elementary.
Susan Downs: Founder of JUNA, Founder of KidsPlay Alabama, Head of School - Bruno Montessori.
Yancey D. Williams: Seven-year JUNA participant, Yale Medical School.
Ashley Teague: 8th Grade Teacher - Individuals & Societies/History at JCIB Middle School, JUNA sponsor.
Haley Garcia-Ramos: Jacksonville State University student, seven-year JUNA participant.
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