![JSA members gather in the Grand Ballroom at the Warner Center Marriott before the convention starts. [Source: Irene Lee]](http://www.jstudentboard.com/reporter/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/11-14-politics.jpg)
[Source: Irene Lee]
gathered at the Warner Center Marriott for an exciting overnight convention. This convention, Fall State Los Angeles, was filled with debates and thought talks on topics ranging from NSA Surveillance to Harry Potter vs Star Wars. JSA, one of the largest student-run organizations in the country, is a non-partisan and and a non-profit organization that promotes political awareness and civic engagement among high schoolers.
This past Fall State convention focused on the current presidential election season. Guests such as Tim Sheridan, the democratic congressional candidate for the 42nd district, and Bill Whittle, a conservative commentator, spoke at the convention. Students had the opportunity to listen to and ask politically involved adults about controversial topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement.
Students discussed about engaging topics with other JSA members from 80 different chapters around Southern California. Some debate topics included: the effects of media in the 2016 election, Pokemon Go, Wikileaks, and fly zones in Syria. “I liked how I was able to meet new people and share our interests in politics in politics through debates and discussions,” said Yerine Kwon, a junior from Clark Magnet High School. “I think high school students should be politically active because not only should they be up-to-date in the political world, but [students] can also learn so much about different world problems happening at the same time.”
Having fruitful discussions and presenting inspiring speeches, JSA members were able to have an amazing weekend with other peers whether they had similar viewpoints or completely opposite ideologies. Regardless, students were able to respectfully debate against each other while having a fun time immersed in the political world.
