Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., so it is best to leave Bell Gardens/Commerce by 7:30.

These are the easiest directions to get to the building at USC where the JSA conference is being held on Saturday:

1. take the 710 fwy NORTH

2. merge to the 10 fwy WEST

3. exit HOOVER ST.

4. When you exit, turn right onto the little street, and right onto Hoover.

5. Hoover ends right at campus (you'll see a fountain)

6. Taper Hall of Humanities is right past the fountain, on the right.

So that no one is running in the street, you can pick up and drop off people at the shopping center across the street. Starbucks is an easy meeting place.

What is JSA?

JSA is a the only student-run, non-partisan, non-profit organization preparing high school students for college and a lifelong journey of civic engagement so they can become the change they want to see in the world. The original name of the organization was Junior Statesmen of America. Since 1934, JSA has helped more than 500,000 students become more informed, engaged and responsible citizens.

Our mission is to empower students with the tools they need to participate in the issues of the day and to affect positive change in their lives and the world beyond. We live in challenging times. There has never been a greater need for an organization like JSA to step forward and help in preparing as many young Americans as possible with the civic education and skills they will need to become informed, responsible and engaged citizens in adulthood, and to create a better future for all.

What does JSA do?

There are three levels of JSA: 1. The Chapter (BGHS) 2. The Region (Angeles Region) 3. The State (Southern California)

At JSA Chapter meetings and Regional and State Conventions, students participate in formal debates, hold Thought Talks on relevant issues, and organize and participate in leadership and workshops to increase political awareness. They have many opportunities to meet with and learn from elected officials at the local, national, and international levels. Students campaign for JSA elected positions, they write bills that become part of the JSA platform, and they govern and promote the organization.

JSA, the Junior State of America and the Junior Statesmen Foundation: what’s the difference?

JSA is everything we do: the school-year program and the summer programs. The Junior State of America is run by students during the school year and revolves around high school chapters, conferences, conventions and a student government. The Junior Statesmen Foundation (JSF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) educational corporation which provides administrative and educational support for the Junior State of America. In addition to providing advice and assistance to the student-run program, JSF administers the annual Junior Statesmen Summer School and the summer institutes.