By Joe English

STAMFORD, CT–Sixteen energetic Galway Junior Statesmen attended the “Spring State” regional convention in Stamford, Connecticut this past weekend, debating politics with peers from across the Northeast.  Taking the largest student delegation to date, Galway’s Chapter discussed timely issues, made new friends, and was awarded the coveted “Chapter of the Year” award for their initiative.

Galway’s JSA Chapter began nine months ago—the brainchild of student leaders interested in politics.  After attending JSA summer school at Princeton University in 2009, Joe English developed an intense interest in JSA and has since paved the way for the Chapter.  After becoming an active regional member, networking with other student leaders, and attending a second summer school at Georgetown, Joe established a new Chapter at Galway with the help of Jossie Dodds and Abi Wood.  Commenting on this experience, he said, “This year I felt I had enough experience to form a Chapter, and I felt our school was ready for JSA.  So we went for it and ended up starting an incredibly passionate, involved Chapter at Galway.”

Despite the Chapter’s prominence at Galway, many students are still unaware of the Junior State’s mission.  The Junior State of America educates high school students to play an active, responsible role in American democracy.  With a fully-functional government, JSA unites 30,000 students with the largest student-run organization in the country.  A self-sustainable democracy, JSA divides its ten “States” into two regions apiece, serving as governments for local Chapters. Since the inception of Galway’s Chapter, the club has grown its membership to an astounding 41 students.  The Chapter hosted a variety of events to increase civic involvement, including public opinion polls, mock elections, letter writing campaigns, and debates.  Staying true to the JSA value of “student run,” the Chapter ensures that every event in approved, organized, and led by student leaders.

Throughout the year, each of the ten States host over-night conventions in prominent cities.  Galway’s Chapter made convention attendance one of its core goals, allowing student delegations to travel to Boston, Washington D.C., and New York City.  This past weekend, the Chapter attended the final conference of the year in Stamford, Connecticut, called “Spring State.”  The convention centered around America’s journey to the present moment and our country’s current trajectory.  Debates ranged from “Has the United States already started its decline,” to “Future Crisis: Genocide breaks out in the Congo. Do we intervene to stop violence?” to “Is targeted killing a morally permissible military strategy?”  These debates allowed students to consider America’s possible futures, the impacts of isolationism and global intervention, and the need for political education in American society.  A variety of other debates, though talks, and guest speakers allowed Junior Statesmen to better reflect upon public education, foreign affairs, social issues, the economy, science, and war.

The highlight of the weekend, however, occurred during closing session this Sunday.  After an intense weekend of dances, elections, and debates, the most prominent, active Chapter was designated by the Northeast leadership.  Pooling all JSA schools—big and small, rich and poor—the teacher advisors, program directors, and JSA alumni chose one Chapter to receive a plaque and variety of scholarships for its involvement.  Out of all the schools in the Northeast, Galway’s Chapter was ranked number one and received the prestigious award.  The JSA leaders recognized the hardships we overcame, citing our size, location, and small population.  They celebrated our initiative, passion, and intensity at conventions and appreciated our immense effort to educate our Chapter’s members.

The award ranks Galway’s Chapter in the top ten nationally, opening doors for our school, Chapter, and members.  Next year, the Chapter hopes to attend every State convention and host its own one-day conference in Albany.