Varsity Blues

Crisis: Varsity Blues

Operation Varsity Blues: Your Mom Paid For It
In the modern-day cutthroat nature of college admissions, families around the world fight to get any edge they can for their kids over other applicants. When prestige defines self-worth and rankings shape teenagers’ entire futures, some parents may choose to employ unethical tactics for their children. The “Varsity Blues Scandal” of 2019 involved affluent parents who leveraged their high-profile connections and wealth to coerce admissions officers into accepting their children into top tier universities with incentives, bribes, and threats. For this committee, delegates will be taking on the role of these parents as they discuss how they can keep their operations secret, or perhaps whether they should rethink their ethics.

Staff

Chair

Sammy Ali

Sammy Ali is a second-year Financial Mathematics and Statistics major and an Economics double major. He discovered MUN for the first time during his first year after four years of high school speech and debate, and considers MUN the superior public speaking activity. Sammy currently serves as UCSB MUN’s Director of Recruitment and has thoroughly enjoyed building a community of dedicated delegates. He’s also had the chance to build many friendships through MUN’s strong sense of community. Outside of school and MUN, Sammy loves outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and rock climbing, all forms of writing, and story-driven games (delegates who can sneak in a Hollow Knight or Final Fantasy VII reference will be rewarded with endless brownie points). He is super excited for another great GauchoMUN, and looks forward to witnessing the events of the Varsity Blues Scandal unfold!

Co-Chair

Arli Andrews

A second year Chemical Engineering and Chinese major, Arli loves being able to get invested in the diverse and unpredictable problems that MUN presents. Coming from Bozeman, Montana, MUN was always a little hard to access for Arli, who began competing in junior year of high school, and Arli is now looking forwards to sharing the joys of MUN with all of you. Outside of MUN, Arli loves reading really sad books, but never seems to have enough time for it, cooking food from all over the world, and slowing down and smelling the flowers.

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Co-Crisis Director

Aanuska Tripathi

Aanuska Tripathi is a third year Political Science major from Moorpark, CA (yes, the stop on the Amtrak). She joined MUN fall of her first year and has loved the lively debate and awesome friendships she’s made along the way. After undergrad, she plans to attend law school in hopes of being a civil rights lawyer (she may have to bribe law schools to let her in!). Outside of MUN, you can catch Aanuska at the gym waiting for the Lat-Pulldown machine, binging a show at home, or helping students at UCSB Career Services! Aanuska is excited to act as Co-Crisis Director and hopes to bring in crazy updates and a fun time!

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Co-Crisis Director

Estrella Alcaraz Munoz

Estrella is a third year political science major and double minor in legal studies and history. She is from Sun Valley, CA. Estrella is the External Vice President of Phi Alpha Delta, and the UCSB campus Climate Action Fellow. Estrella works as a case assistant at a Worker's Compensation law firm in Goleta and enjoys journaling and cooking in her free time.