Junior State of America -- Another Way to Debate

From http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5038:junior-state-teaches-students-to-debate-lead&catid=19:lewisboro-news&Itemid=79

Junior State teaches students to debate, lead
Written by Matt Dalen
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mock trial, debate club, Model U.N. ... these are student organizations familiar to most people interested in international politics, law and current events. But in the past three years, another organization with a long history has arisen at John Jay High School: the Junior State of America. The entirely student-run organization, which has about 20 members at John Jay, allows students to debate hot-button issues of the day, and teaches students to organize and lead.

“We debate a combination of current events and just policy in general,” said Isaac Hasson, president of John Jay’s chapter of the Junior State. “We have debates about abortion and gay marriage, and I remember debating whether or not people with AIDS should be allowed to immigrate into the country — we really do everything.”

Nationally, the Junior State of America is organized into nine student-led “states” — the Pacific Northwest, northern California, southern California, Texas, mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Ohio River Valley and the Florida Territory — each possessing its own student government, including governors, lieutenant governors, constitutions and “cabinets.” John Jay’s chapter of the organization is part of the Northeast state, and 2008 John Jay High School graduate Jason Katz served as the state’s lieutenant governor last year.

In addition to debating on a chapter level, the students in the Junior State have the opportunity to attend three state conventions each year. The conventions allow students to participate in myriad traditional debates and “thought talks,” moderated discussions that often have a quieter tone than a full debate.

“It’s really nice, when you’re tired of just so much debating, you can go to a thought talk and have more of a discussion,” said Isaac. “It’s a way for people to ease themselves into actually main speaking in a debate. It’s sort of like training wheels for a debate.”

And at each state’s annual Winter Congress, students simulate the real Congress — sponsoring bills, debating their passage and organizing subcommittees. The Northeast’s Winter Congress is held in Washington, D.C., and interspersed in the simulation are visits with journalists, scholars and political leaders.

More information: northeastjsa.org.