Overlake JSA Named Chapter of the Year

Overlake’s Junior State of America (JSA) chapter is the Pacific Northwest’s Chapter of the Year. The announcement was made at the Spring State convention in Seattle last week. 

The winning chapter was chosen by all of the chapters’ teaching assistants. The Pacific Northwest region is made up of JSA chapters from five states.

Before the selection, each chapter’s leadership made their case as to why they should be chosen, and Overlake presenter Maria R. (18) says she was shocked when Overlake was named. “We thought some other school would win it, and when they said our name I immediately keeled over and started sobbing,” says Maria. “It’s a really emotional time for us seniors because it’s our last state convention.”

JSA’s mission is to develop leaders through civic engagement and prevent apathy among young people. For JSA participant Sam K. (’19), that engagement culminated in a run for the PNW Chapters’ governor. Although he didn’t win, he says it’s been an immense learning experience. “Creating a plan and platform, and then translating that to reach out and connect with other people is invaluable,” says Sam. “Those skills are so transferrable in my everyday life.”

Overlake’s JSA chapter is led by teacher Dave Parsons. Sam and Maria agree that Overlake students will benefit from the experience and encourage our upper schoolers to check it out as a club option if they have any interest in making change. “Politics matter. In JSA I got to express my ideas and have them validated by peers. I was also exposed to other ideas which really rounded me out as a person,” says Maria.

Congratulations to all our JSA members.