During my freshman year, my friend introduced me to the Junior Statesmen of America (J.S.A.) program and I was determined to start the program at my school. So that is what I did, but I had no idea what to expect. In four years my program had grown to about 23% of the high school students at my school. My first convention I entered a heated debate about abortion. When I saw how creative and passionate these speakers were I knew this was the right program for me. J.S.A. is an amazing program that gives high school students the opportunity to expand and spread their knowledge on political issues. The Junior Statesmen program has really helped me expand my horizons; academically and as a leader. J.S.A. is and has always been a major asset to my high school career; the political debates are highly engaging and they keep me yearning for more with every convention. I eventually became extremely engaged and devoted to the program, and was given the opportunity to exercise my public speaking skills as a moderator of several debates, but even with this, I did not feel as if I was contributing enough to the Junior Statesmen program. This is when I decided to take action: I applied for the leadership role as J.S.A.�s Northern Californian Assistant Governor and was accepted to for the position. With this in hand, I now know that I can leave high school feeling accomplished and fulfilled. I not only brought the Junior Statesmen program to my school, but I have carried the program all the way from freshman to senior year as my school�s Chapter President. I have single handedly given high school students at my school the opportunity to voice their opinions and get involved with the political issues we face in society today. Now that I have accomplished this amazing program at my school, I know that I leave high school as a more effective and efficient leader, as well as a young woman more politically aware and involved then I ever could have imagined.