After the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Sep. 10, the months following have seen Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA), grow in numbers and popularity among colleges and high schools.
Before his death, Kirk and TPUSA created college chapters, which are local branches of a larger national organization. These chapters follow Kirk’s conservative values, promoting patriotism and encouraging civic participation. While TPUSA chapters were specifically meant for colleges, after Sep. 10, many high school students felt inspired to create their own chapter at their own high school.
In Florida alone, there are approximately 100 TPUSA chapters. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has supported this movement by partnering with TPUSA back in October, promising to protect any high school chapters started.
“You’re starting to see more young people take an interest and be educated, and now they want to get involved,” DeSantis stated. “So they’ve had a huge groundswell of interest ever since that tragic day.”
Local high schools like Barbara Goleman High School, Cypress Bay High School, and Mater Academy have each started their own chapter, called “Club America.” PPCHS senior Ryan Perez sees this expansion as a good thing that will benefit civic discourse between students.
“I don’t really see a problem with local Florida high schools getting TPUSA chapters,” states Ryan Perez. “As a matter fact, I think it can benefit [schools] because it allows for students with shared views to discuss political and social topics they feel are important to them.”
This rapid expansion was not just limited to Florida, with high schools across the country seeing a rise in chapters being created. After Sep. 10, the number of high school chapters increased to 1,000 across the US. PPCHS senior Aaron Santiago sees this rapid expansion as unnerving, specifically the fact that it’s teenagers in the middle of a political movement.
“What bothers me is that this political organization is basically targeting the younger generation,” states Santiago. “Ideas can be damaging, and unfortunately teens are more malleable to dangerous ideas.”
Republicans across states have shown their support for creating TPUSA chapters in high schools and have warned of dire consequences for any school administrator who blocks these clubs. Republican state senator Jack Johnson of Tennessee is one of these vocal supporters, putting forth a very clear message that’s mirrored by his party.
“Anyone who attempts to thwart will face serious consequences, including possible legal consequences.”
