Carl Sandburg High School senior Adunolaoluwa Ogedengbe just made Model UN history—three times over. With a record-breaking streak of first-place gavels, she now holds more top honors than anyone in the school’s club history. The previous record was set in 2020 with 14 gavels, and she broke that record in November and finished the season with 22 gavels.

She also scored the most points ever in Sandburg’s Model UN history—earning her a top spot in the club’s prestigious Hall of Fame, where all award records are maintained. There are more than 2,000 students in the MUN Hall of Fame, and Ogedengbe has amassed the most points with 210. She has 30 awards: 22 gavels (1st place), four outstandings (2nd place), one honorable mention (3rd place), and three commendable distinctions.

Finally, she is the only Sandburg delegate who has never lost at a MUN competition. She has won on the regional, national, and international levels at conferences including Brown University, Stanford University, University of Michigan, University of California, Berkeley, Northwestern University, and more.

Model UN members spend hours preparing for a competition. On weekend overnight competitions, members debate for 12-20 hours; on local single-day competitions, members debate for approximately 4-7 hours. A background guide provided by the judges supplies general context regarding the topic presented. Next, a “position paper” is written, which is a one-page document outlining a country’s past, present, and future actions. Lastly, Ogedengbe spends the majority of her time compiling extra research on a “lifeline” with hooks, statistics, solution ideas, and more.

She says, “I’ve learned that politics infiltrates every field, industry, and career; in order to solve the most complex issues, we must consider the impact of policymaking and the stakeholders associated with it. I thoroughly enjoy considering other viewpoints and getting passionate about humanitarian topics I research in MUN. My favorite part is the creative hooks I start my speeches off with.”

In addition to her Model UN record-breaking experience, Ogedengbe serves on the Superintendent Advisory Board and the Board of Education Student Support and Development Committee. She is Senior Class President, a PEOPEL tutor, and a member of International Club. She is also a member of Cultural Connections, Black Student Union, First Class Ambassadors, and an award-winning HOSA member. 

She received College Board National Recognition for her Advanced Placement scores, is a member of the National Honor Society, an Illinois State Scholar, and earned a Spanish Seal of Biliteracy.

Ogedengbe said, “As a prospective premed student, MUN has encouraged me to explore the intersection between medicine and politics as a public health major. As a doctor, I aspire to use my medical knowledge on a political scale to advocate for changes in the healthcare system. MUN has made me less one-dimensional in my ability to consider the most pressing issues from multiple viewpoints. Ultimately, MUN has motivated me to be a part of the next generation of change in not only politics, but medicine as well.”