Who we are

The Junior State of America is a student-run organization whose purpose is to "help high school students acquire leadership skills and the knowledge necessary to be effective citizens and voters." Our members participate in debates, fun activities, and various conventions hosted by the JSA organization.

Come, experience what JSA has to offer, and discover the inner workings of our great nation. We encourage you to answer the clarion call of Democracy and rise to combat the raging hordes of political apathy. Let us speak up and address the pressing issues of our generation. Let us learn about the government and the political institutions that drive our nation. Finally, let us understand that Democracy itself is not a spectator sport.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Thank You for Smoking Movie Night

Thank you for smoking.
No, really, thank you.

FREE Movie Night
starring Katie Holmes and Adam Brody
April 4 at 6:30 pm
MHS Theater

Refreshments will be available for a small fee

MILPITAS JSA DOES NOT ENDORSE SMOKING IN ANY WAY. MHS IS A NO-SMOKING ZONE. SMOKING CAN CAUSE LUNG CANCER, THE MOST COMMON KILLER IN AMERICA, AS WELL AS OTHER VERY DEADLY DISEASES. ONE CIGARETTE IS ESTIMATED TO TAKE AN AVERAGE OF 3 MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE. YOU DON'T WANT BLACK LUNGS. SMOKING IS BAD!

Above is our general ad campaign. If you would like to help us put up more flyers, please tell us at a meeting or shoot us an email. Or, do what I like to do: point the flyer out conspicuously to friends, and people who are watching you will look at it too! (It works!)

We also have our "squares" campaign. Thuy-An made these little invite squares that have the information on them. We will be passing these out at the next meeting.

Thirdly, we have an underground campaign for seniors.
It is:

SAY YOU WENT TO SCHOOL ON SENIOR CUT DAY.

FREE Movie Night
Thank You for Smoking
starring Katie Holmes and Adam Brody
April 4 at 6:30 pm
MHS Theater

Refreshments will be available for a small fee

As you can tell, we can't exactly post these flyers around school. They would be frowned upon. But by all means, copy and paste this message and send it to seniors!

Please help us out with publicity! We would appreciate it so much if you would follow our suggestions above and/or:
  • Word of mouth- the best public relations campaign tool ever
  • Make announcements to your classes at the beginning or end of the period (please ask permission from your teacher first, don't just spontaneously stand up and start talking, though that may be more effective... just kidding!)
  • Send our MilpitasJSA Facebook event invite to others and post the event on your Facebook
  • Post the information on your blog, myspace, AIM profile, etc.
  • Attend the Movie Night yourself and bring your friends!
... and anything else you can think of to get the word out!

Thank you so much and see you there!

Mini-con Mania!

Hi, JSAers!

Between the huge NorCal conventions (Fall State, Winter Congress, Spring State), various high school JSA chapters hold one-day mini-conventions. They are a great way to remain engaged in JSA, hear keynote speakers, and get involved in some exciting debates and thought talks! Here are the information about the three spring mini-cons:

Turning a blind eye to our differences
Saturday, March 29
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Hosted by Riordan, San Mateo, and Half Moon Bay HS
Held at:
International School
150 Oak Street
San Francisco
Contact: Erick Orantes at (415) 468-1068, efo415@yahoo.com
Lyja Brown: lyjarose@yahoo.com

Global Warming
Saturday, April 5
10:30 am - 4:00 pm
Pacific Collegiate School
255 Swift Street
Santa Cruz 95060
Contact: Krissie Fung at krfung@gmail.com

Global Education and What Impedes It
Saturday, April 12
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Harker School
500 Saratoga Ave.
San Jose
Contact: harkerjsa@gmail.com

Spring State Forms due at Wed. Meeting

Hi, JSAers!

Spring State, April 25-27, is coming! The due date for the parent permission form and the $125 check is due at Wednesday's meeting. Email us at milpitasjsa@gmail.com for who to make out the check to. Also contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Remember, we will be fundraising like crazy for this event! (See Movie Night, above)

Saturday, March 22, 2008

A More Perfect Union - Obama's speech on race

Race is such a big part of our nation yet so many politicians choose to dodge the issue of race and racism. What's sad is that while we are the most diverse nation in the world, we are also one of the most stratified, in terms of race. But this just means that we have to become the UNITED States of America. We've come a long way from the times of slavery but racism still exists. The best way to finally get rid of racism once and for all, and become a "more perfect Union" is to embrace the issue. And that's just what Obama did:

Long (full) video version on Youtube

Short video version

Text version

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

NorCal Governor Hopeful Rebecca Sachs's Campaign Party

Come support Rebecca Sachs's campaign for NorCal Governor!

Who: YOU!
What: Campaign Party/Barbeque
When: Saturday, 3/22, from 2-7 pm
Where: We will be taking BART to Oakland, and then getting a ride to Orinda

Help out with Rebecca's campaign, meet JSAers from other high schools, and get pumped up for Spring State!

If you're interested in going, email us at milpitasjsa@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Tomorrow's Meeting- H03

Hi, JSAers!

Hope you had fun playing JSA Jeopardy last week! Tomorrow, we will have an informational meeting about the upcoming Spring State Convention, April 25-27! Whoo! We will also be discussing fundraising, including voting on the feature for our upcoming Movie Night (April 4). Our meeting tomorrow will be in H03 due to CAHSEE testing taking place in the Career Center.