High School Student Inspired to Start Turning Point USA Chapter

A high school student’s mother shared her daughter’s motivation for launching a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter at her school, attributing it to Charlie Kirk’s influence. “She was really moved by Charlie’s efforts. She’s been engaged in his work for a considerable time, attending numerous youth events on college campuses,” stated Melissa Smiley.

Katie Smiley, a junior at Hillsdale College’s Lake Country Classical Academy (LCCA), felt driven to join the wave of TPUSA chapters emerging following Kirk’s passing.

In fact, after his memorial service, TPUSA disclosed on September 13 that it had received over 120,000 inquiries from individuals interested in establishing new chapters on campuses nationwide.

School Faces Backlash Over TPUSA Chapter Rejection

“She learned about the effort to start a Turning Point branch and was immensely enthusiastic, seeing it as a perfect fit for the school environment. It would also provide students a chance to engage in debates and connect with leaders in various fields,” Melissa added.

Katie, along with her peers, prepared a presentation for LCCA staff to advocate for the TPUSA chapter. Her mother remarked they delivered a “great presentation.” However, Katie encountered resistance right from the start. The school initially denied the chapter due to a policy that prohibits political groups and club activities on campus.

The rejection led to significant pushback from Katie’s family and other parents. Notably, former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, now affiliated with TPUSA, voiced his support for Katie.

With Walker’s assistance, Katie reached out to school officials to express her disappointment regarding the chapter’s disapproval.

LCCA’s Principal, Margaret Hagedorn, later issued a statement to clarify the school’s position after discussions with Katie and her mother. “We are committed to the Hillsdale model. After detailed conversations with TPUSA, we’ve decided to form a school-sanctioned civic club to promote student engagement while adhering to our internal policies,” Hagedorn explained.

LCCA, closely associated with Hillsdale College, typically does not authorize student clubs linked with external political or religious organizations, as indicated in their Guidance Handbook.

In light of the controversy, LCCA is now reconsidering its policies and investigating the possibility of approving the TPUSA chapter. Katie’s mother noted that after Kirk’s assassination, her daughter felt a profound call to action. “She was genuinely touched and wanted to dive into this work. Together, we gathered resources, connected with professionals, and moved forward with our goals,” Melissa recalled.

Kirk, who would have celebrated his 32nd birthday soon, was honored posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

After announcing a new chapter at the school, Melissa commended the initiative, highlighting the emerging activism among younger conservatives. “It’s encouraging to see young people motivated to address pressing issues and embrace activism. I admire their courage,” she said. “When I was younger, I was too intimidated to get involved, so it’s inspiring to see today’s youth stepping up to facilitate important dialogues.”