Organization: THE JUNIOR STATE OF AMERICA FOUNDATION
Mission: TO STRENGTHEN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BY EDUCATING AND PREPARING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR LIFE-LONG INVOLVEMENT AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.
Activities: SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS: THE JUNIOR STATE OF AMERICA FOUNDATION JSAF IS THE LARGEST STUDENT-RUN ORGANIZATION IN THE NATION, AIMED AT BUILDING A GENERATION OF LEADERS WHO VALUE DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND EMPOWERMENT. JSAF CHAPTERS ARE LOCATED IN 35 STATES AND ENGAGE MORE THAN 13,000 STUDENTS ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES. THROUGH JSAF'S UNIQUE STUDENT-LED MODEL, STUDENTS LEARN DEMOCRACY BY PRACTICING DEMOCRACY. STUDENTS INVOLVED IN JSAF CHAPTERS GAIN VALUABLE PUBLIC SPEAKING, CRITICAL THINKING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. JSAF PREPARES STUDENTS TO BE LIFELONG ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS AND EFFECTIVE LEADERS IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. THROUGH CHAPTER DEBATES, CONVENTIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT. STUDENTS LEARN TO COMMUNICATE THEIR OPINIONS, TO EMPLOY PERSUASION, AND TO CONSTRUCTIVELY LISTEN TO OTHERS IN ORDER TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE.
SUMMER PROGRAMS: JSAF SUMMER SCHOOL GIVES STUDENTS ACCESS TO RIGOROUS COLLEGE-LEVEL CLASSES ON THE CAMPUSES OF SOME OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD. IN ADDITION TO CLASSES IN TOPICS LIKE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, AND SPEECHES & POLITICAL COMMUNICATION, SPEAKERS PROGRAM, DEBATE WORKSHOPS, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES EQUIP STUDENTS WITH VITAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS WHILE FORMING LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AND MEMORIES. DURING A JSA SUMMER PROGRAM, STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH LEADERS, INCLUDING ELECTED OFFICIALS, JOURNALISTS, LOBBYISTS, AND MILITARY STRATEGISTS. INSIDE THE CLASSROOM, STUDENTS DEVELOP A MORE SOPHISTICATED UNDERSTANDING OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, ECONOMICS, THE MEDIA, AND OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS. CLASSES, TAUGHT BY COLLEGE PROFESSORS, ARE OFTEN DISCUSSION-BASED AND REQUIRE DEEP ENGAGEMENT WITH IMPORTANT ISSUES THROUGH READINGS AND CONVENTIONS. JSAF SUMMER SCHOOLS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL CLASSES WHILE HONING ANALYTICAL READING AND WRITING SKILLS. JSAF SUMMER SCHOOLS ARE HELD ON THE CAMPUSES OF THREE RENOWNED UNIVERSITIES GEORGETOWN, PRINCETON, AND STANFORD (OUR DIPLOMAT PROGRAM IS AT BEIJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY IN CHINA). STUDENTS LIVE IN DORMS TO HELP PREPARE FOR LIFE ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, THROUGH A TASTE OF THE INDEPENDENCE-AND ADJUSTMENTS- THAT AWAIT AT COLLEGE AND BEYOND ALL UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF OUR RESIDENT ADVISORS AND STAFF.
NTEE category: Education
Secondary category: Youth Development