A Revere High School student is working to reestablish a local chapter of a nationally recognized political action group for students interested in the political world.

Junior Danielle Kakish hopes to bring Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) back to Revere High school after a hiatus of almost ten years.

Kakish explained what purpose JSA serves, as well as the scope of the program in general.

“JSA is the largest student-run organization in the world, with chapters all across the United States, Puerto Rico, Shanghai, and Beijing. The purpose of JSA is all about political activism, so trying to get people involved in politics, debating current issues, and different things like that,” Kakish said.

Kakish also detailed what motivated her to bring JSA back to RHS.

“This summer, I was looking for something to do in D.C., and I found the Junior Statesmen of America summer program, which was a three week program at Georgetown [University]. At first, I did not know [JSA] was a year round program. At that point, they (JSA) encouraged us to bring the program back to our home schools in order to help other students share in the same experience we at the seminar got to experience,” Kakish said.

In addition, Kakish mentioned what an interested student should expect from a JSA meeting.

“We would talk about current events; we would talk about issues like the 2016 election, talking about the candidates [and] debating the same issues as the candidates. We could potentially have speakers come in. We could also take field trips [as a group], and explore fundraising ideas, as there are state conventions we [could] go to,” Kakish said.

Kakish explained that JSA will not present a huge time commitment, as the group will only meet about once a week or potentially once every two weeks. The only major commitment will be the fall and spring state conventions, which usually take place in Columbus or Cincinnati.

Revere Social Studies teacher and former JSA advisor Jeff Fry commented on how the current JSA would differ from the now defunct version of the program that existed at Revere in the past.

“JSA as I recall, was a national group rooted in debate, with a group of kids who were excited about current political issues who could go to other schools and compete against one another, and actually have debates together on current topics,” Fry said.

Fry also addressed some of the programs faults that led to its demise in the past.

“The kids wanted to have a debate club at Revere, [but] not one that went outside the school [for debates]. The club ended in either ‘11 or ‘12, it collapsed under its own weight, people were debating the same topics a lot, year after year… You really need to have strong leadership in that organization to keep things fresh and the meetings well-planned,” Fry said.

Fry expressed his optimism that the program could succeed in the future, with its own charter, constitution, and strong leadership.

Junior and JSA member Anthony Pignataro explained why he decided to join the group.

“I enjoy any event involving public discourse, and I [also] love talking about my opinions and thought processes, and comparing them to others [thought processes],” Pignataro said.

Pignataro also mentioned what skills or interests prospective members should have.

“Keeping up with current events is pretty important. Also one should enjoy talking or debating, [and should possess] good speaking skills,” Pignataro said.

JSA has already garnered approval from RHS principal Phil King. Science teacher Paul Fisher will be the group’s advisor, and meetings should begin soon. Interested students should speak to Danielle Kakish for more information.