A high school student’s mother shared her daughter’s inspiration from Charlie Kirk, which led her to initiate a Turning Point USA chapter at her school.
“She was really affected by Charlie’s work. In fact, she’s been involved in various youth events with him for quite some time,” Melissa Smiley told Fox News Digital.
Katie Smiley, a junior at Hillsdale College’s Lake Country Classical Academy (LCCA), decided to join the wave of new Turning Point USA chapters following Kirk’s passing.
After a significant memorial service for Kirk on September 13, TPUSA noted it had over 120,000 inquiries from people wanting to establish chapters on their campuses.
“She learned about the initiative for a Turning Point branch and was really excited about it. She felt it resonated well with her school and was a valuable opportunity for students to engage in debate. It allows them to connect with leaders and participate in public discussions,” added Katie’s mother.
Katie and her peers collaborated to present their idea to LCCA officials for establishing a TPUSA chapter. Her mother mentioned they delivered a “great presentation.”
However, Katie, a high school senior, encountered challenges when attempting to launch her chapter. The school turned down the request, citing a policy against political groups and activities on campus.
This rejection led to considerable pushback from Smiley and other parents, including support from former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who is also on the LCCA board and affiliated with Turning Point Action.
Margaret Hagedorn, LCCA’s Principal, provided a statement to Fox News Digital:
“We’ve emphasized our commitment to the Hillsdale model and curriculum. After thorough discussions with TPUSA, we’ve agreed to create a school-sanctioned civics club that aligns with our educational goals while respecting the school’s existing policies,” Hagedorn stated.
LCCA, as a Hillsdale College member school, follows a more integrated partnership with Hillsdale College compared to other schools. They receive curriculum, consultation, and training from Hillsdale’s Office of K-12 Education.
Since its inception, LCCA has not approved student clubs tied to any external political or religious organizations. This guideline is outlined in their Family Handbook, which describes extracurricular clubs as “enrichment classes.”
In light of the backlash, LCCA is now looking into promoting civic clubs and reconsidering its policies. The board sent a letter to concerned parents on Monday, indicating that they were evaluating their next steps.
Katie’s mother described her daughter’s determination after Kirk’s death.
“She was profoundly affected by it. After attending several memorials, she was eager to get involved. We assisted her with resources and connections. Everything was finalized and ready to go,” she explained.
Kirk, who would have celebrated his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.
“It’s encouraging to see this issue gaining traction and younger generations feeling motivated to advocate for change,” Smiley remarked.
“I respect their activism—when I was younger, I hesitated to speak up, so it’s impressive to see them bridging important conversations happening in our country.”
