JSA Students Honored By Peers

STAMFORD — Twenty Newtown High School students comprised the delegation to the regional spring state conference of the Junior State of America (JSA) over the weekend of April 28 and 29 in Stamford. They joined over 400 students from more than 30 public and private high schools throughout New York and New England.

The two-day conference was organized and conducted entirely by the students in the student-run organization. The students participated in lively debates and “Thought Talks” on current domestic and international issues. The debate format encourages participation by the audience, in keeping with the JSA motto, “democracy is not a spectator sport.”

Students were also involved in the campaigning and election of the next leaders of the organization. The conference concluded with all participants gathered for the election of leaders in a format modeled on national political party conventions.

The Newtown JSA chapter was officially established only at the beginning of the last school year. However, the chapter members distinguished themselves by sending a significant delegation, receiving numerous honors, and assuming a leadership role in the regional organization. The delegates from other high schools recognized the Newtown chapter members by conferring the following honors:

 Rachel Stern, this year’s chapter president, was elected vice mayor for the Empire Constitution Region. She will be one of only two elected executive officers of the governing organization for all the chapters in New York and Connecticut. She was also recognized as “Outstanding Sophomore.”

David Rod won an unprecedented three “Best Speaker” awards.

Brian Budnick won a “Best Speaker” award.

The Newtown JSA chapter has also had an active program during the current school year. Chapter members attended a fall state conference in Massachusetts and a winter state conference in Washington, DC.

Additionally, an active program in the school included a voter registration drive, a mock presidential election complete with pre-election debates, debates, fundraising activities, and a first ever one-day mini conference open to students from Newtown and other schools.

The Newtown JSA chapter began in 1999, but the national organization began over 60 years ago in northern California in 1934. Today chapters exist all over the world with over 10,000 members enrolled. JSA has become a symbol of student leadership and the largest student-run organization in the nation.