JSA Shines at Spring State

Eight DHS JSA students participated in the Ohio River Valley Spring State convention in Columbus, OH, this past weekend, and they did an outstanding job!  The Ohio River Valley (ORV) area includes Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio, although the vast majority of schools who have JSA chapters are located in Ohio.

 Highlights:

• Joe Weston, ORV cabinet member and director of debate this year, was on the leadership team that planned and implemented the conference.  He also gave the nomination speech for the girl who was later elected ORV Governor for the coming school year.  Because the two primary activities of Spring State are debates and ORV elections, he had the opportunity to address the conference several times.  He did a GREAT job!
• Calvin Steber won 3 outstanding speaker awards in his debate sessions.  Only 12 awards total were given out.  For a student to win one is an honor; for a student to win two is rare.  I have never been at a JSA conference where a student won 3!
• Jono Beto won an outstanding speaker award, and he gave an excellent nomination speech for Andrew McKinney who was running for office.
• After delivering an eloquent speech as a candidate for mayor of the Southern Interior District of the ORV (most of KY and all of TN), Andrew McKinney became Danville JSA's first elected ORV official!  Next year he will serve along with the ORV governor, lieutenant governor, and 3 other mayors.
• Several DHS students moderated debates and/or served as main con or pro speakers. 

The Danville delegation was a positive presence at Spring State.  All 8 students, including Tyler Montgomery, Emma Jackson, Russell Meurer, and Jurek Tuerk, did an outstanding.  Please congratulate them when you see them!