OHS JSA Wins Chapter of the Year

Left+to+right%3A+Thomas+Overacker%2C+Roy+Song%2C+John+Kim%2C+Vladimir+Moise%2C+Idalio+Yan%2C+David+Barry%2C+Chioma+Uruakpa%2C+Maria+Angela%2C+Lexi+Rudley%2C+Nora+Albinus%2C+Ruth+Boehling%2C+Kendall+Hoffman+Aliya+Bashir%2C+Jillian+McGuckin%2C+Michael+Earle.+Not+pictured%3A+Kara+Burns%2C+Sarah+Hoffman%0D%0A%0D%0A

Ms. Burns

Left to right: Thomas Overacker, Roy Song, John Kim, Vladimir Moise, Idalio Yan, David Barry, Chioma Uruakpa, Maria Angela, Lexi Rudley, Nora Albinus, Ruth Boehling, Kendall Hoffman Aliya Bashir, Jillian McGuckin, Michael Earle. Not pictured: Kara Burns, Sarah Hoffman

Chioma Uruakpa, Staff Writer

Screams and cheers erupted from the back of the Regency Ballroom in Greenwich, Connecticut as Ossining High School was named Chapter of the Year at the 2016 JSA Spring State convention on Saturday, April 24, 2016. Seventeen students from the Ossining chapter rushed to the podium as the president, Michael Earle, took to the microphone to give his acceptance speech. Beating numerous schools in the Northeast State in competition for the title, OHS was awarded for being the “most outstanding chapter” for its excellence in leadership, community involvement, and consistency in involvement in JSA events. Kaitlin Ventarola, an OHS JSA chapter member whose face was streaked with tears upon hearing the news, says, “I was so happy! We saw all those people for the past three years, and to now be here its like, ‘Momma we made it!’” Ms. Kara Burns, the chapter advisor, says, “I am so proud of my JSA students for wining chapter of the year! They have done a great job of educating, involving, and representing the youth of our school in the democratic process. They’ve involved the community in local political endeavors and are living up to the goals of the Junior State of America.” Ossining High School won an engraved plaque to be displayed, a $1,000 scholarship to a JSA Summer School, and a full scholarship to a JSA State Symposium for one chapter member. Ms. Burns was also awarded a free private room for all conventions during the 2016-2017 school year. OHS is now in the running to compete against nine other schools for the inaugural Junior State of America’s National Civic Impact Award, a nationwide contest against all other JSA chapters in the United States. Interested in getting involved? Attend a JSA meeting every Thursday at 3 pm in room 209. Attached is a photo of the participating members.