High School Student Inspired by Charlie Kirk Launches New Turning Point USA Chapter

A high school student’s passion for civic engagement has ignited a wave of activism at Lake Country Classical Academy (LCCA), following the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Motivated by Kirk’s legacy and work with Turning Point USA (TPUSA), junior Catie Smiley set out to establish a TPUSA chapter at her school, aiming to foster debate, civil discourse, and networking opportunities for her peers.

Catie’s mother, Melissa Smiley, shared with Fox News Digital how her daughter had long admired Kirk’s dedication to empowering young Americans. “She was deeply moved by Charlie’s work,” Melissa said. “She actually has been long involved, going to different young Americans events around the college campuses.” Kirk’s death galvanized Catie to join the growing movement of TPUSA chapters springing up across the nation; following Kirk’s memorial service on September 13, TPUSA reported receiving over 120,000 inquiries from people interested in starting new campus chapters.

Catie saw an opportunity to align TPUSA’s mission with LCCA’s values, believing it would enrich the school’s environment by encouraging students to engage in meaningful debates and connect with leaders from diverse institutions.

With support from her peers, Catie prepared and delivered a comprehensive presentation to LCCA officials, advocating for the establishment of a TPUSA chapter on campus. Her mother described it as a “wonderful presentation.” However, the proposal was met with resistance. The school cited its longstanding policy prohibiting clubs affiliated with outside political or religious organizations, a guideline rooted in Hillsdale College’s educational model and outlined in the school’s Family Handbook, which refers to extracurricular clubs as “enrichment classes.”

The rejection sparked backlash from Catie’s family and other parents. Prominent figures, including former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker—an honorary board member of LCCA—and a representative from Turning Point Action, publicly voiced their support for Catie’s initiative.

Responding to the controversy, LCCA Principal Margaret Hagedorn clarified the school’s commitment to Hillsdale’s curriculum and policies. “After good discussions with TPUSA, we’ve agreed to create a school-sanctioned Civics Club that will promote civic practice for students and complement the hard work we do here within the parameters of the school’s own policies,” Hagedorn stated.

LCCA, as a Hillsdale College Member School, maintains a close affiliation with Hillsdale College, receiving curriculum, consultation, and training from its K-12 Education Office. Since its inception, the school has not approved clubs linked to external political or religious organizations, a stance reaffirmed by its leadership.

In light of the recent backlash, LCCA’s board is actively working with parents to develop a civics club and review its extracurricular policies. In a letter to concerned parents, the board emphasized its commitment to finding a constructive way forward.

Catie’s mother recounted how her daughter’s motivation intensified after Kirk’s assassination. “She was extremely moved by that. She’s been to a couple of vigils, and she just really felt the pull to actually work on this now,” Melissa said. Together, they navigated the process, connecting with TPUSA representatives and gathering resources to advance the cause.

Charlie Kirk, who would have celebrated his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, further amplifying the impact of his work.

Melissa Smiley expressed admiration for the activism and courage displayed by today’s youth. “The attention that this draws to the greater issue and how wonderful that young people and these younger generations are feeling so motivated… They’re being activists. I admire it because, when I was younger, I was too afraid to be any type of activist. So I think it’s fantastic that they feel so emboldened and that they can help kind of bridge some of the discourse that’s happening in the country.”