Three times per year, at hotels throughout the Mid-Atlantic State, JSAers from all along the east cost debate, have fun, win prizes, meet new people, and become politically involved. These “state conventions” are the highlights of the JSA year!

During each convention, there are usually seven or eight debate blocks with a number of debates that JSAers can choose to go to and participate in. Debate topics range from NAFTA to abortion, from health care to prison reform.

For each traditional debate, the pro-speaker and con-speaker first present their arguments (respectively), subsequent speakers can then choose to go up and speak on the spot, and then the main speakers close their arguments. Speakers can yield their time to questions at any time.

At the end of the debate, a vote is taken on both the resolve and the best speaker. Other less traditional forms of debate include Speed Chess, in which speakers rally their arguments back and forth in a timed session rather than presenting their points one at a time, and Teachers’ Tension, where students can watch two teachers debate each other on an issue. In thought talks, which are quite different from debates, everyone in the room can participate in an informal discussion on a specified topic.

But conventions feature much more than debates and thought talks – JSAers can participate in or watch one of several special activities that take place during the day. There’s always the Crisis Scenario, where JSAers are presented with a fictional “crisis” situation (a terrorist attack, precarious international affairs, etc) and at several points must decide the proper courses of action to take. At the end, the fate of an entire nation or the world itself is dictated by JSAers’ decisions! Additionally, state conventions also have Mock Trials, where students switch roles yet again to become lawyers in a court of law.

State conventions are typically visited by one or two distinguished guest speakers, who donate their time and insight into politics, government, and life for the education of our delegates. They typically give a short speech followed by heated open-mic question-and-answer sessions with JSAers. Students can also get involved by helping out a worthy cause out a cause through various community service projects throughout the convention.

The fun doesn’t end with the daytime activities. In the evening, there are a number of exciting activities that everyone loves after a long, productive day of debating. Quiz Bowl, for example, is an MAS tradition: at least a dozen school teams battle to be crowned the champions, forever etching their mark in JSA history. Master Debater, too, is nothing less than the tournament name suggests: it’s a night of hilarity, goofiness, and laughter. Here, JSAers debate random, often comical resolutions on the spot, competing for the title of MAS Master Debater. There are lots of other activities as well, including a Scavenger Hunt or Crisis Scenario. Finally, Saturday night ends, of course, with an exciting JSA dance.

Want in on the fun? Contact MAS Convention Coordinator Yena Jun at yenaj7@gmail.com or call the JSA office in Washington, D.C. at 1-800-317-9338 for more information!