JSA welcomes all

Graphic by Oliver Saitz ’23

bridges political divide, tackles issues in time of raised political tension

Ella Shi ’23 Managing Editor

Have you ever stopped to ponder the pros and cons of showering in the morning versus at night? Well Staples JSA (Junior State of America) has, along with more serious current topics such as abortion rights and gun laws. e three G’s of JSA: Co-advisors and English teachers Brendan Giolitto and Sam Goldberg, along with President Maia Gubitz ’24, plan to lead

“the club in debate, activism and collaboration in a time of raised political tension and societal division.

“During club meeting times, we work on debate skills,” Giolitto said. “We debate current topics. We do outreach. We do charity work. It’s really just to get kids into politics and having a safe place to debate political issues.” is year, the Staples chapter of JSA hopes to attend more state and national meetings, which were mostly canceled due to COVID-19. “ e conference trips are really what draws kids in,” Giolitto said. “It’s usually a weekend either in Boston, New York City, Washington, DC. And they’re a ton of fun just to have, you know, hundreds of kids from around the country interacting together debating issues face to face.”

Gubitz has been a part of

the club since her freshman year, and has also held the positions of PR Manager and Vice President. Currently, she is the Northeast chapter’s Lieutenant Governor. Gubitz acknowledges the individual bene ts gained from being in JSA. “[ is club is great for] someone who’s interested in public speaking — politics, especially,” Gubitz said. “ ere’s so many opportunities to work across party lines, learn more about your party.” JSA I feel like I’ve learned a member, Julia lot of public speaking Weber skills and how to voice my opinion.” ’23, has felt the positive e ects of - Julia Weber '23 the club, which welcomes people of different political beliefs. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot of public speaking skills and how to voice my opinion, even if other people disagree with that,” Julia Weber ’23 said. While the club hopes to have a prominent presence on the state and national level, they also have local plans such as voter registration stands and door-knocking as midterm elections approach. However, the ultimate goal for JSA is to create a non-partisan environment for

the club since her freshman students to practice debate. year, and has also held the posi- “It’s really exciting to see the tions of PR Manager and Vice kids engage in their community President. Currently, she is the and with other kids and think Northeast chapter’s Lieutenant about these ideas that are so Governor. Gubitz acknowl- big,” Goldberg said. “But edges the individual bene ts they get to have this kind gained from being in JSA. of low-stakes environment

“[ is club is great for] where they get to discuss someone who’s interested them and play around in public speaking — poli- with these ideas.” tics, especially,” Gubitz said. “ ere’s so many opportunities to work across party lines, learn more about your party.” JSA member, Julia Weber ’23, has felt the positive e ects of the club, which welcomes people of different political beliefs.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot of public speaking skills and how to voice my opinion, even if other people disagree with that,” Julia Weber ’23 said. with these ideas.” a non-partisan environment for

IMPORTANT LEADER Since her freshman year, Maia Gubitz ’24 has been involved in JSA. As Lieutenant Governor, she is second in command to the JSA State Governor of the Northeast.

FIRST MEETING FIRST MEETING JSA meets for the fi rst ti me this year on Thursday, Sept. 15. ti me this year on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Photos by Caitlin Jacob ’24

CLUB ADVISER CLUB ADVISER Cabinet member Cabinet member Kate Barnes ’24 assists in presenti ng Kate Barnes ’24 assists in presenti ng an introductory slideshow about JSA an introductory slideshow about JSA at the club’s fi rst meeti ng of the year. at the club’s fi rst meeti ng of the year. STRONG LEADERSHIP Alyssa Lee ’24 (left ) and Ben Enos ’24 (right) are the co-vice presidents of the JSA Staples Chapter.

features | 11 D.C. SPEECH Maia Gubitz ’24 presents at Spring States in Washington, D.C. and discusses JSA and its impact.

JSA COMMUNITY (left to right) Last year’s Mid Atlanti c Mayoral Director of Debate Joey Lescht, Northeast States Lieutenant Governor Maia Gubitz ’24, Mid Atlanti c States Vice Mayor Megha Rastogi and Mid Atlanti c States Vice Mayoral Director of Chapter Internal Aff airs Riya Patel att end the winter conference in New Jersey.

Photos contributed by Maia Gubitz ’24