Junior Statesmen of American Chapter; High School Age, Feb 4-5 overnight Sat/Sun Sacramento Winter Congress

YOU write the bills.
YOU give the speeches.
YOU cast the votes.
YOU make the laws.

Join the Justice Kennedy Library and Learning Center JSA (Junior Statesmen of America) Chapter at the high school "Winter Congress" held at the Sheraton in Sacramento. Dr. Kari Kelso, Administrator for the Justice Kennedy Library and Learning Center is the faculty advisor and will be with the students during the conference. Parents may attend as chaperones and pay separately - but you must be pre-registered. Please email kkelso@ce9.uscourts.gov for the 14 page registration packet and separate packet on how to write legislation. We will probably have a conference call or meet prior to the conference in late January to prepare. You cannot attend the conference on your own, your student must be pre-register with a chapter. If students are attending with our chapter (without parents), there are strict JSA rules (from dress to curfew) and students must be able to be independent.  
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On February 4-5, 2017, the Northern California Junior State of America will hold its annual Winter Congress minutes away from our state capital at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The NorCal student leaders hope you can join hundreds of other students and teachers from across California for an exciting educational experience at this weekend-long, student-run simulation of the United States congressional legislative process.

Textbook accounts of how a bill becomes a law can never convey the passions of lawmaking. Even viewing Congress in session fails to give a sense of the heated debates that go on in committee hearings or the compromising done in back room meetings. Winter Congress lets you experience not only becoming a member of Congress and seeing everything from the back room logrolling to the fiery speeches on the floor of the House and Senate, but also the thrill of having your own legislation passed by Congress or the anguish of watching your bill defeated. You will also get to debate other student’s bills, propose amendments to make them better, or do your best to prevent a bad bill from passing.

The Northern California JSA student leaders create the Winter Congress simulation through assembling a team led by a Convention Coordinator and Bill Director and selecting students to serve as House and Senate leaders, party whips, committee chairs and clerks, etc. Through engaging in spirited debates, Winter Congress will give you the unique opportunity to think critically, express your own opinions, and challenge the opinions of others in a tolerant, supportive atmosphere. You will also have the opportunity to meet students from other schools throughout Northern California through a variety of other events, including a dance and other activities on Saturday night.

We hope you leave Winter Congress 2017 with a broader perspective and deeper understanding of how our country’s main legislative body functions and the process through which legislation is created.

Registration will be from 8:30am – 10:00am on Saturday, February 4, 2017;The convention will end at approximately 3:30pm on Sunday, February 5, 2017.

Cost is $205 plus membership dues for JSA (separate); Parent chaperone $110 for private room; free if willing to share with another chaperone. Add $65 if you want to stay over for Friday night prior to the conference. Food is NOT included and on your own during conference.  

This is wonderful experience for your student.