(Washington—February 27, 2010) The High Tech chapter of Junior State of America (JSA) attended the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Winter Congress Mini-Conference in Washington, DC, a precursor to the annual Winter Congress Convention, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Director of High Tech and Academy of Architectural & Contemporary Themes (AACT).

The High Tech JSA chapter—Anna Blazejowskij and Jeffrey Jerschina of Bayonne; Brendan Evers, Harry Freedman, Ben Lenz, and Leora Rosenberg of Hoboken; Riham Ali, Tristen Mathis, and Ammar Vohra of Jersey City; Michael Haefner, Shivam Naik, and Amanda Osborn of Kearny; Louis Guerra and Kajal Shah of North Bergen; Divanna Cedeno and Stephanie Chicas of West New York—spent several weeks writing bills prior to the Mini-Con.

While at the Mini-Con, students had a chance to debate those bills with students from across the country. One High Tech bill, “A Bill to Increase Adoption Options,” sponsored by Rosenberg and Shah, made it through four rounds of debate and was passed at the Mini-Con. The bill allowed adoptions to be finalized before a baby is conceived or born.

Moreover, High Tech JSA went above and beyond their community service project. During the Mini-Con, High Tech held their second letter drive, trying to collect for marines stationed in Afghanistan. They asked members of other chapters to spend a few minutes writing letters and helped students to figure out what to write. In all, they collected 133 letters.

In brief, Mathis was voted Best Speaker in his committee, and Rosenberg chaired a House committee. Later, JSA students had the opportunity to attend a midnight monument tour, a dance, and a political fair in the nation’s capital.