70th Model Congress Winners!
Students from Minnechaug Regional high School took the top three awards at the 70th annual Model Congress at American International College.
The winners:
Artur Wysoczanski was named the top delegate and awarded a full four-year tuition scholarship to AIC. 
Anthony Gabrielle placed second and received a half tuition scholarship to AIC for four years.
Robert Skalbite was the third place winner, earning a one quarter tuition scholarship for four years. 
Sabis International Charter School in Springfield received the Outstanding Delegation Award. 
Other winners included:
Mitch Despain, Hoosac Valley High School - 4th place
Zach Brians, Pioneer Valley Regional High School - Honorable Mention 
A. J. Cote, Hoosac Valley High School - Honorable Mention
Grant Kuehl, Sabis International Charter School - Honorable Mention 
Kathleen Jones, Chicopee High School - Honorable Mention
Goffstown High School - School Spirit Award 
East Windsor High School - Best Bill Award 
The AIC Model Congress, the longest running event of its kind in the country, attracted more than 300 high school students from throughout New England and New York. The students wrote, amended, debated and voted on a variety of bills during the three day event, while competing for for nearly $200,000 in AIC scholarships.
The Model Congress is organized and run by AIC students, while faculty and staff members served as judges, rating the participants on their debating skills and knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) delivered the keynote address to a joint session of Model Congress on Friday, January 15 in the Griswold Theatre.
Newly elected Agawam mayor Richard Cohen was the featured speaker at the Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 16.
Among the bills debated at this year's Model Congress was legislation to implement the withdrawal of the U.S. from the United Nations, repeal the prohibition of marijuana, establish the institute of legal joining, and stop animal abuse.
There were also bills aimed at prohibiting the sale of personal information to third parties, correcting the imbalance between the number of primary care physicians and specialists.
