Hampden-Sydney Students Conquer International Disinformation Challenge
A team of four first-year students from Hampden-Sydney College achieved a remarkable feat by claiming first place in their stream of the 2024 WMGIC x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge.
The “Hampden-Sydney League,” comprised of Matty Walker, Roland Brown, Tristan Leidig and Hampton Brannon, dominated their competition stream with a compelling plan to combat disinformation related to human rights. The victory showcases not only their individual talents, but also the high caliber of education and mentorship provided at Hampden-Sydney College.
Professor Daniel Kuthy, who served as the team’s faculty advisor, highlighted their exceptional sense of self-sufficiency, stating, “The team was incredibly independent, requiring only minor guidance. I essentially set them on the right path and they took it from there. This win was truly theirs.”
‘Disinformation is a Growing Concern’
“Disinformation is certainly a growing concern in the modern day,” said Hampton, the team’s chosen spokesperson, reflecting on the competition, “As technology advances and communication becomes more widely available, the opportunity for disinformation is growing exponentially.”
Roland echoed Hampton’s sentiments, adding, “Although disinformation in our age of digitalization has grown more difficult to deal with, I think that through the guidance of technical experts and younger people who deal with such technologies daily, NATO and other organizations can sufficiently work to tackle the crisis at hand.”
The team received valuable guidance from former student Juan Tavera Moreno, who had participated in the competition previously. Prof. Kuthy’s “They impressed me with their dedication to understanding the problem. They asked thoughtful questions, sought sincere understanding, and never tried to assert themselves. By asking questions with humility, they demonstrated their intelligence and maturity,” noted Professor Kuthy, reflecting on their preparation process. The competition served as a valuable immersive experience in diplomacy and international relations, igniting the team members’ passion for the field.
Defining a Winning Strategy
After receiving a detailed case study, the team immersed themselves in their task, dedicating hours in the university’s library, honing their strategy under pressure. Tristan recalled a pivotal moment during their preparation when they realized they had misread a key part of the prompt.
Undeterred, Tristan concluded, “We dealt with this by calmly regrouping, focusing on our task, and rebuilding our plan.” Teamwork and perseverance became key components of their success.
The team’s success wasn’t simply a display of innate talent; it reflected the foundation laid by their education at Hampden-Sydney. Roland specifically credited the college’s Rhetoric Program for equipping them with the ability to construct persuasive arguments. This solid grounding allowed the team to excel, showcasing the power of their education on the international stage.
The Hampden-Sydney League’s accomplishment was celebrated not only in Virginia but also internationally, highlighting the immense potential and talent within the student body. Their teacher’s guidance and the rich academic environment at Hampden-Sydney played a fundamental role in this exceptional achievement. These young men now have some first-hand, real-world experience in diplomacy and an international platform for their successes, demonstrating the impact that passionate individuals can make when empowered by outstanding education.
What specific collaboration strategies did Roland Brown suggest to effectively counter disinformation?
## Hampden-Sydney Students Conquer International Disinformation Challenge
**Interviewer:** Professor Kuthy, congratulations to you and the Hampden-Sydney League on their impressive victory in the 2024 WMGIC x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge! Can you tell us a little bit about what made this team so successful?
**Professor Kuthy:** [[1](https://www.hsc.edu/news-index/natox)]Certainly! The Hampden-Sydney League, comprised of Matty Walker, Roland Brown, Tristan Leidig, and Hampton Brannon, were truly remarkable. What impressed me most was their incredible sense of self-sufficiency. They required minimal guidance, grasping the challenges quickly and forging their own path to a solution.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite a testament to their talent and preparation. How did they develop such a strong plan to combat disinformation related to human rights?
**Professor Kuthy:** They were incredibly dedicated to understanding the problem. They asked thoughtful questions, sought sincere understanding, and never tried to assert solutions without thoroughly analyzing the complexities involved. This team’s success wasn’t just about their intelligence, it was driven by their genuine desire to make a difference, which shone through in every aspect of their work.
**Interviewer:** Hampton, you served as the team’s spokesperson. Can you share your thoughts on the importance of addressing disinformation in today’s world?
**Hampton Brannon:** Disinformation is a growing concern in the modern day. As technology advances and communication becomes more widely accessible, the opportunity for disinformation to spread exponentially increases.
**Interviewer:** Roland, you also expressed concern about the dangers posed by disinformation. What steps do you think can be taken to effectively counter this threat?
**Roland Brown:** While tackling disinformation in our digital age is challenging, I believe collaboration between technical experts and younger generations who are deeply familiar with these technologies is crucial. Organizations like NATO can leverage this combined expertise to effectively counter this crisis.
**Interviewer:** This team’s success is a source of pride not only for Hampden-Sydney College but also for the wider community. It demonstrates the power of young minds to make a positive impact on a global scale. Thank you all for your time and congratulations again on your remarkable achievement.
