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Chapter of the Week: Findlay High |
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Tuesday, 12 February 2008 |
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Findlay High School
True Statesmen of the Junior State of America
The motto “Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport” is often thrown around lightly. However, for the kids at Findlay High School, this is an everyday occurrence. Since 2005, the Findlay JSA chapter has recognized that JSA is more than debating and attending conventions, and has taken a lead in reaching out to assist those in need in Africa. With their first Africa Project in 2005, Findlay not only raised awareness about pressing issues on the continent, but raised $13,000 for bed nets, which are used to protect African children from being infected by malaria-carrying mosquitoes during the night. Over 3,250 bed nets were purchased through Findlay’s efforts. In 2006, the chapter raised $11,000 to dig two wells in Tanga and Arusha, Tanzania, giving thousands of people access to a local water source. This year Findlay, under the leadership of President Tom Davidson, hopes to raise $20,000 to build a school in Tanga, Tanzania. Another goal of the Findlay JSA chapter is to receive a Rotary Foundation Grant to send members of the chapter to Africa to oversee the building of the school, and meet some of the people they have helped over the years. Findlay’s goal is to raise $10,000, and that money will be matched by a generous community donor.
At the Ohio River Valley Presidential Nominating Convention, members of the Findlay delegation sold buttons and encouraged other chapters to take initiative and get involved in the project. The Findlay chapter has also hosted a school-wide corn hole/ Dance-Dance Revolution tournament, held dinners at several local restaurants, and participated in community events to educate the Findlay community as well as raise funds. Over the next several months the chapter will hold many other events to raise money. The chapter will hold a Guitar Hero Tournament, a community dinner/ silent art auction, a 3-on-3 Basketball/ Euchre Tournament, and sell t-shirts to promote the cause.
The Findlay High School JSA chapter has done something truly incredible. It is one thing to be a JSA chapter that has had kids participate on cabinet, attend conventions etc, but Findlay has realized that JSA is more than that. The impact Findlay High School has had on people in Africa is truly inspiring, and this is only the beginning. By building a school in Tanzania, Findlay will be able to provide children in Africa a future that is just a little brighter.
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