The Challenges of Being a Young Conservative in High School

Being 16 and navigating high school can be tough. It’s even more challenging when you’re involved in politics. Many young conservatives across the nation feel the pressure to fit in, not just from their peers but also from some adults.

Take Ella Smith, a 16-year-old homeschooled student in southern Nevada. She’s enrolled in a local choir as an elective and works part-time as a door knocker for Commit 100, a program organized by conservative groups like Turning Point Action and Citizens Alliance. Her task is straightforward: identify 100 registered Republicans who typically don’t vote in elections other than presidential ones and encourage them to vote, whether by mail or in person.

However, the environment for conservative students seems to have worsened. Since Charlie Kirk’s assassination last September, tensions have escalated, with some students and faculty showing hostility toward differing viewpoints.

In mid-September, while canvassing in Boulder City with her grandmother, who volunteers with Commit 100, Ella faced an unexpected confrontation when a school employee called her into the front office. The employee accused her of canvassing and purporting to represent the school. This left Ella visibly upset, as the encounter felt both condescending and intimidating, especially with other students listening in.

According to Ella’s family, the school staff member claimed to be acting on behalf of the vice principal and mentioned having seen footage of Ella canvassing. The accusations not only embarrassed Ella but also raised questions about the fairness of her treatment. A teenager shouldn’t have to feel threatened for being active in civic life outside school; yet it seems that these values are still under scrutiny.

When Ella’s mother, Mica Smith, reached out to the vice principal for clarity on the situation, she learned a few days later that Ella hadn’t done anything wrong. The vice principal acknowledged the inappropriate behavior of the staff member involved and offered an apology. While this acknowledgment was a step in the right direction, questions lingered. What actions were taken to ensure this wouldn’t happen again? How can Ella and other conservative students feel safe expressing their views?

Ella’s experience isn’t unique. Around the same time, a student from the Turning Point-sponsored Club America chapter at another school addressed the Clark County school board, sharing experiences of harassment and bullying from peers due to the club’s conservative beliefs.

Between student bullying and adults targeting conservative students, there’s a pressing question: can these students engage freely in their school environments without jeopardizing their safety or reputations?

The situation isn’t isolated to Nevada. Last September, it was reported that teachers in the Clark County School District were removed after making mocking comments about Charlie Kirk’s death on social media, although parents weren’t informed about the specific individuals involved. Parents deserve to know if educators they trust celebrated violence.

In another incident last month at the University of Utah, two College Republicans were investigated for allegedly doxxing a liberal student after sharing photos on Kirk’s assassination anniversary. The university eventually dropped the case but by then, the harm had already been done.

It seems that for too long, parents accepted simple apologies as enough to resolve these situations. But rising tensions surrounding censorship and intimidation on schools and campuses across the nation have changed that mindset.

It’s not unreasonable to expect accountability and professionalism from those in charge of education. And perhaps the bright side of this tumultuous environment is the resilience of young conservatives like Ella, who continue to advocate for their beliefs.

Since her ordeal, Ella has persisted in her door-knocking efforts alongside her grandmother, while Club America groups flourish nationwide. Ella’s dedication to her civic duties and her stance on personal beliefs is a testament to the kind of engagement we should encourage among youth.