Keasbey Nights

Does anyone here do JSA? I'm basically jumping into JSA Fall State with no formal debate experience because my veteran friend invited me to do so. I'm arguing against America being a Christian nation, and I'm pretty much clueless as to the precise style of JSA. I have the debate handbook, which has helped with preparing my actual speech, but I still am in search of JSA help. Does anyone have any advice to a nervous, soon-to-be JSA competitor?

Blackroses216

oh hey! Yes, I am a member of JSA and have been to Spring State and will be attending Fall State. If your Fall State is anything like it is in California, I wouldn't worry about it. At Spring State, my friend signed up for TWO talks and she never got word back that she was selected until I told her she was in the schedule the day of. LOL. So she asked me if I'd do one. This was obviously VERY last minute. I went to the research room, talked to a few people, and put something together.

Just go up there and act like you know what you're talking about. It's really not all that bad.

Btw, there were some REALLY bad speakers, so there's nothing to be embarrassed about. We're all in high school- It's not like they're professional politicians. : )

jamesford

I echo that - there are a lot of really, really bad speakers so it's not like everyone you compete against is brilliant. Get more information than you think you'll need because you have to respond to your opponent multiple times.

Btw JSA dances are the ****

Blackroses216

^ LOL. The dances are RIDICULOUS.

Last dance one of my gay friends was lap dancing a guy on a chair in the middle of the floor.

This one girl was basically bent over with her short skirt up while the guy stood there thrusting.

I don't know if all JSA dances are like this, but that's how my Fall State was, LOL.

Keasbey Nights

Oh yeah, I've heard some absolutely insane things about the dances, hahahaha. Thanks for the words of wisdom, guys. I didn't realize the scope of the events. I feel a bit more confident now, haha.

jamesford

@ Blackroses: Fall State in Newport?

Blackroses216

^ yep. are you going there too?

jamesford

Yep yep.

We have 64 people going o.O

Blackroses216

^... You don't happen to be a servite?

That's cool. We should meet up. : )

jamesford

So our reputation does proceed us

Haha that would be kind of awkward. Come up to us when we're doing a motion to dance or something.

Blackroses216

lol. cause im going to walk up to 64 big loud cheering guys.
and on top of that somehow just know who you are. LOL

jamesford

You know it's worth it.

You'll just have to endure "It's a trap!!!!" for a bit, then you can join our escapades.

Blackroses216

LOL I never got that at Spring state. I thought you were saying that to two girls from my school.. what is that all about?

Also, i still wont know who you are haha

jamesford

Well we're an all-guys school so we perpetuate the stereotype of being sexist. Girls apparently try to "lure" guys into their rooms cuz the opposite sex isn't supposed to be in others' rooms. We yell "it's a trap" to any girl that walks by, exaggerating that every one of them is trying to lure guys into their room.

As for the whole not knowing thing, just go up and yell "who goes on CC?" The awkwardness will either overwhelming or completely gone.

Blackroses216

^ LOL yeah, that won't be awkward.

I don't think I could go up to all you boisterous fellows and then say something totally awkward on top of that. haha idk.. : P

Its so weird that we actually might have seen each other last year and not known it.. i know two of my girl friends were hanging out with some servite guys a lot. And obviously you know of my friend Matt who ran for office against Oneal.