Everybody is invited to attend the candidates’ forum on Sunday, October 16.

Written by AMY FAN / Published October 14, 2011 

In preparation for the November 8 school board election, the Temple City Voice and the Junior State of America club at Temple City High School will host a forum for the candidates this Sunday, October 16, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The six candidates include Rachel LaSota, Janet Rhee, Robert Ridley, Ken Knollenberg, Kien Tiet, and Matthew Wong. They will run for three spots on the Temple City Board of Education.

The third biennial school board candidates’ forum will be held in the 601 building at Temple City High School. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided. JSA will moderate the event.

JSA Event Organizer Justin Lin hopes that it will be a productive event for both the candidates and attendees.

“I definitely hope people will get good insight on the candidates when attending this forum,” said Lin. “You can get a good sense on what each candidate is like by hearing them talk.”

The forum will be the third school board candidates’ forum. In total, both JSA and TCV have co-sponsored four candidates’ forum for local City Council and School Board elections since 2007. It is now a tradition that raises community awareness of local politics in Temple City.

“The problem with the upcoming elections and attention focused on them is that you don’t really get too much of a chance to get to meet them and know them,” said Lin. “It’s good to get to know a candidate that will choose your best interests.”

All candidates have confirmed their attendance. Former School Board Member Emilie Cales is no longer a candidate.

Two JSA students spend three weeks at the nation’s capital.

Written by TAYLOR EVANKO / Published July 16, 2010

Signing up for a three-week session of classes right after the regular school year finishes is what most students are not likely to do, unless, of course, they are a part of the Junior State of America.

Two students at Temple City High School, Taylor Evanko and Joyce Kim, recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they studied government and politics at Georgetown University.

From June 20 through July 11, Evanko and Kim attended one of the Junior Statesmen Summer Schools. The Junior Statesmen Summer Schools are run by the Junior Statesmen Foundation, a national, nonpartisan, civic education organization based in San Mateo, CA and Washington, D.C.

According to the Junior State of America website, each summer school program encompasses three main components: the Speakers’ Program, Congressional Workshop, and the elective course.

“The Speakers’ Programs are what made the whole trip worth going to D.C. for,” one of the students said.

Students were transported to various government buildings, such as the Pentagon, CIA headquarters, the Israeli and Saudi Arabian embassies, and the Capitol Visitors’ Center.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, Pennsylvania Congressman Mark Critz, and U.S. Army Colonel Michael Linick, a former JSA student himself, were among the speakers who spoke to the JSA summer school students.

Probably, the highlight of their program was the field trip to Capitol Hill.

“A majority of the 120 JSA students were able to meet with their elected representatives,” a student noted.

Eighteen California students also attended a brunch hosted by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Of course, the most memorable experience of the trip was probably the social time.

Evanko stated that the students watched the Fourth of July fireworks at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

JSA holds a convention filled with debates and speeches covering how everyday Americans affect decisions made in Congress.

Written by NELSON LUU / Published April 2, 2010

On Saturday March 27, students, teachers and citizens from Temple City congregated to Temple City High School to participate in the Junior State of America’s annual Mini-Con.

Temple City High School’s JSA invited the Bishop Amat Memorial High School, The Buckley School and Oak Park High School JSA Chapters to participate. This year’s Mini-Con hosted two local politicians as keynote speakers for the Opening.

Alvaro Day, a graduate from Temple City High School began by talking about his platform as the Republican nominee for the 44th Assembly District. Fernando Vizcarra, mayor of Temple City, closed the opening by talking about the recent developments in Temple City politics and his platform for running for reelection as mayor.

After the keynote speakers gave their speeches, the debates and activities began. As this year’s theme is “Era of the Common Man”, debates and thought talks revolved around how everyday Americans are affecting the decisions made in Congress and issues that are affecting the common folk.

Topics of debates include credit card rates, a national unified curriculum and an interesting Teacher Debate against Mr. Lauterbach and Mr. Dagger on whether a flat tax is superior to a progressive tax. Students were thoroughly entertained as Mr. Dagger broke procedure and excessively talked over the time limit given by the moderator and ignored protestations by the time keeper and moderator. In the end, students voted on Mr. Lauterbach’s side.

Thought talks this year circled around political issues that affected the majority of Americans such as American civic responsibilities, government stimulus spending and an assessment of President Obama’s first 420 days in office. Students hosted activities to entertain and enlighten Mini-Con goers Quiz Bowl, an Impromptu Speech Contest and Political Pictionary were among the activities played.

The day ended with speeches from candidates that ran for positions in JSA state senate. This year’s Mini-con was a success and brought attention to key political issues in an entertaining matter. Members are excited to attend the upcoming Spring State and next year’s Mini-Con with hopes that they can be more involved.

The local chapter of the Junior State of America will host its annual mini-convention this weekend.

Written by DANNY TSANG / Published March 26, 2010

The Junior State of America (JSA) will be hosting a mini convention this Saturday, March 26, 2010 at Temple City High School.

Registration will start at 9:00 a.m. and members will pay $5 for admission while nonmembers will pay $7. Beginning from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., this event will consist of a series of debates, thought talks, and special activities.

“I am expecting around 100 or more people this Saturday”, states Christine Keung, the Co-President of the high school JSA.

Although this event is open to anybody who wishes to come, those running for a position in the regional or statewide JSA are largely attracted to the mini convention.

The topics put up for debate revolve around the theme, “Era of the Common Man,” which basically relates to important issues that concern the average mainstream American. Participants will discuss a range of subjects, from deciding whether a limit should be place on credit card interest rates to whether a flat tax is superior to a progressive tax.

“We are [also] having a debate about state-wide curriculum”, says Taylor Evanko, the Vice-President of the high school JSA.

In addition, two guest speakers are scheduled to attend the mini convention: Temple City Mayor Fernando Vizcarra and Alvaro Day, a Republican candidate running for the state assembly.

The JSA, the largest high school student-run organization in the United States, is dedicated to promoting political awareness among today’s youth.

All the candidates running for School Board show up for organizations’ third forum.

Written by CHRISTINE KEUNG and CHRIS DU / Published October 30, 2009

The Temple City Voice and the Temple City High School Junior State of America (JSA) co-hosted a school board candidates’ forum, exposing youth, parents and citizens to the contenders of the November school board election.

The 2009 School Board Candidates’ Forum was held on Saturday, October 24 at Temple City High School.

Several dignitaries were present including Temple City mayor Fernando Vizcarra, councilman Tom Chavez, councilwoman Cynthia Sternquist. School Board President Robert Ridley and Vice-President Rachel LaSota also attended.

The three candidates, Kenneth Knollenberg, Matt Smith and Joe Walker are running for two spots on the school board.

“TCV and JSA wanted to give voters a chance to ask questions to the candidates,” said JSA Co-President Jacky Chan. “The forum is meant to be a tool to help residents make this decision.”

The forum began with introductions from Temple City Voice editor-in-chief Sophia Chang and JSA co-presidents Jacky Chan and Christine Keung. Each candidate was then given five minutes to introduce himself and speak on his platform.

Taylor Evanko, the vice-president of JSA, moderated the forum.

He posed questions covering specific projects such as what each candidate would do if elected, as well as the candidates’ priorities on what they want to accomplish. All candidates mentioned the data collector system and the renovation of Oak Avenue Intermediate School gym.

Following a brief intermission, the forum continued with audience-submitted questions. Knollenberg, Smith and Walker answered questions dealing with the need for special education, the superintendent’s recent contract renewal, parental involvement and fundraising.

“Despite the differences in their responses, the three candidates really showed that they wanted to improve the Temple City Unified School District,” Chan said. “I believe that all of them can make a positive difference on the School Board.”

Chan and Keung concluded the event by giving thanks to those who sponsored the candidates’ forum and presenting the candidates with JSA mugs.

A video recording of the entire forum can be viewed on the Temple City Chamber of Commerce website.

In a joint effort to further involve the community in the November School Board elections, the Temple City Voice and the Temple City High School Junior State of America (JSA) chapter will co-host a candidates’ forum.

Citizens, prospective voters and students will have a chance to pose questions at the candidates about the most prominent issues facing the Temple City Unified School District (TCUSD).

The forum will be divided into two blocks. The first half will be a general question session, while the second will be a period where residents can ask questions and express concerns.

Incumbents Matt Smith and Joe Walker are both seeking another four-year term. Walker, a crime analyst and former school board president, was first elected in 2005. Smith is a current board clerk and former school board vice-president.

Challenger Kenneth Knollenberg is the third candidate in the race. Knollenberg, a concerned citizen who attends board meetings regularly, has expressed desire to change the status quos. In a recent interview with the Temple City Voice, he stated the local School Board lacked “a clear vision for the school system.”

The goal of the forum, says JSA co-president Christine Keung is “to provide first-hand information on the people we’re voting for.” This connection is necessary, she states, as half-baked votes could lead to policy dissatisfaction.

“This is a perfect opportunity for students and residents to voice what they think are important,” adds Temple City Voice Editor-in-Chief Sophia Chang.

The 2009 School Board candidates’ forum will take place on October 24, 2009 at Temple City High School in Room 601 from 7 to 9 p.m.

 

This article was written by Taylor Evanko. It was published in the Temple City Voice on September 11, 2009.

The first city council candidates’ forum for the March 3, 2009 elections took place on Saturday, January 31, 2009. The forum was sponsored by the Temple City Voice and the Junior State of America (JSA) at the Civic Community Center at City Hall.

There are two seats open on the city council. All six candidates, Silenus Ong, Tom Chavez, Vincent Yu, Cathé Wilson, Ken Gillanders, and Chuck Souder, were present at the forum. Three other elected officials were also in attendance: councilwoman Judy Wong, councilman Fernando Vizcarra, and School Board member Joe Walker.

The candidates’ forum kicked off with an introduction from JSA president Evelyn Kessler and the Voice’s Editor-in-Chief Jessilyn Chwa.

Randy Shun, the JSA Activism director and the Community Affairs director for the Voice, served as the moderator.

Each candidate was given five minutes to make an introduction speech, in which they listed their qualifications, what the role of a city councilman is, and addressed their concerns and plans for Temple City.

“I’m a newcomer to the political arena” said Silenus Ong. He added, “…what the city needs is bold leadership with creative and innovative thinking.”

A city councilmember should “be truthful, open, and honest” commented Parks and Recreation commissioner Tom Chavez. Chavez also cited his legal expertise and tenure as a professor at Pasadena Community College.

“I bring with me the experience of development” stated Planning commissioner Vincent Yu. Yu also spoke of his position as an architect for the county of Los Angeles.

Incumbent mayor Cathé Wilson spoke of her tenure on the city council and said, “The reason why I am running again is because I still see things that I would like to see done.”

Incumbent councilman Ken Gillanders spoke of his history and reminded voters he only makes up one of five members on the city council. Gillanders, who moved to Temple City in 1954, pledged his commitment to not enact a city tax.

“I left the job undone” said former councilman Chuck Souder. Souder’s reason for running again, “I think that I can do a good job.”

The first question posed to the candidates was what they felt was the number one problem in Temple City. All six candidate agreed that redevelopment of the business sector in Temple City was their main concern. Transparency also was mentioned.

Candidates also tackled questions on what they thought was best about Temple City, their views of the city’s diverse population, the allegations concerning the Piazza project, a smoking ban on the city’s public parks, and leadership traits each possessed.

JSA president Evelyn Kessler and vice-president Jason Wu gave the closing remarks.

The entire candidates’ forum can be viewed on the website of the Temple City Chamber of Commerce.

 

This article was written by Sophia Chang. It was published in the Temple City Voice on February 20, 2009.

The Junior State of America (JSA), a nationwide, student-run organization, has always been known for devoting its efforts towards instilling political awareness in today’s youth.

On February 2, 2008, Temple City High School’s JSA chapter continued to uphold this reputation by hosting its annual Mini-Convention, themed “Rising Above Apathy”. The event attracted nearly one hundred high school students from across southern California, including those from Bishop Amat Memorial High School, Marina High School, and several others.

The day was highlighted by a guest appearance from Ken Maxey, Deputy Political Director of the Democratic National Party. In accordance with the convention’s title, Maxey stressed the fact that “we have to get our young people involved [in politics]”.

Over the course of the Mini-Con, students had the opportunity to engage in various political discussions and debates regarding the issues that face us today, like abortion, border control, and civil unions. One event even featured a presidential candidate simulation, in which students played the parts of the United States’ next presidential hopefuls while answering questions from an intrigued audience.

Throughout the day, the recurring theme appeared to be that, although many people are discontent with the current political situation, very few actively pursue any change. Students realized that there is a big difference between believing in something and acting on behalf of those convictions, which was emphasized by the Director of Special Activities.

To close out the convention, JSA Co-Presidents Patricia Chou and Evelyn Kessler encouraged the attendees, many of whom will be of voting age by November 2008, to sustain their interest and involvement in politics.

 

This article was written by Jason Wu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on February 13, 2007.