With the death of Charlie Kirk came the birth of Papio South’s newest club: Club America.

At its first meeting, on Nov. 5, prospective members were presented with a discussion asking what recent events had the biggest impact on young conservatives.

A majority of the 25 students in attendance answered that it was Kirk’s assassination, which consequently was what sparked the idea for starting the club.

Kirk, who was shot to death on Sept. 10 in front of a crowd of students at Utah Valley University, was the founder of Turning Point USA, a national movement whose stated mission is:  “To educate young people about the importance of limited government, free markets, and freedom.”

Paul Connot, a junior at Papio South, resonated with that vision for his fellow students, and so, less than two months after Kirk’s death, he kicked off the start of a new TPUSA chapter here.

The club’s leadership consists of Connot as president, junior Jackson Tapper as vice president, and freshman Benjamin Duhs as secretary. The group also has a TPUSA representative, Cali Cordova, a senior Financial Services major from Bushland, Texas, at Midland University.

At the first 30-minute meeting, held in social studies teacher Mr. Andy Gerlecz’s room, the entirely student-led agenda consisted of introductions, discussion of club values, icebreakers and open-ended political questions.

After everyone introduced themselves by name and grade, the officers stood at the front of the room and discussed the club’s purpose: to bring like-minded individuals together into a comfortable space to talk about beliefs and political views.

The officers outlined many club values: the club does not associate with any political party, however, it does tend to lean more conservative; it values limited government; the club cannot endorse political figures; club meetings must be a safe space–meaning having respect for those with differing opinions and engaging in respectful conversations; and lastly, don’t disrespect those who are “hating” on the club, as that would be hypocritical.

During the discussion, it became clear that some students in attendance held views that opposed the majority. “I think we handled that really well,” Connot said. “It was friendly, but also still challenged one another.”

Tapper agreed, saying, “They were asking hard questions. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

After the close of that first meeting, the group faced a struggle to find a new location and an official club sponsor. With winter sports starting, Gerlecz would not be providing his classroom, due to his coaching girls basketball.

The search was made more difficult by public controversy surrounding the club’s launch.

Some reactions centered on the question “Should politics be brought into school?” The  Equal Access Act answers that question. In the Supreme Court case Board of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens, it was decided that a school allowing a club does not mean it endorses the club’s beliefs.

While politics in school is still considered too controversial by some, Connot, as Club America president, encouraged students to use their First Amendment, free-speech rights, urging:  “Talk … with one another, because once we stop talking is when things get all messy in our country.”

After Thanksgiving, the group received the breakthrough it was looking for.

“I had students approach me, and they … talked to me and explained to me what the club was all about, what their goals were,” said Spanish teacher Ms. Jean Porrata, who informed Connot on Dec. 2 that she would sponsor the club.

“They seemed very serious and dedicated and committed,” Porrata said, “so I thought, you know, I wanted to give them a chance – a place and a chance to meet.”

The next meeting date was set for Dec. 10, and the group planned to start meeting bi-weekly in second semester.

Tapper clarified that the club wasn’t exclusive, saying “I know it’s a more conservative-leaning club, but everyone’s welcome.”

Although the environment inside the first meeting remained respectful, some reactions outside of it, around school and online, were far less civil.

Connot responded to that backlash, saying, “I mean, they’re exercising their free speech, and I’m all for it, go use your freedom of speech, but there gets to be a point. Some people on Reddit, I saw, were kind of going over the top, calling us Nazis and Hitler.”

Connot also said, “There were people also just saying that we are a hateful group. We don’t hate people. If we think they are wrong, we will stand up for what we think is right; but we are not hateful about those things. If stating facts is hateful, I’m concerned for our country.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

(photo: Andrea Jaime)

Athena Bitzes, 11th, listens attentively.

Gen Z has made it apparent that students want to get out and voice what they believe. Connot addressed that as a reason for the club’s tenacious effect on the student body, stating, “I see our club lasting for a long time, because the conservative movement in Gen-Z is just getting started. We are rising up, and we’re rising up with a fire, to just go out and say our beliefs, and not being afraid of getting hate.”

Connot said his own activism was fueled by someone trying to silence him. He explained: “One person told me to stop talking about politics. Them saying that made me pursue politics even more, because I will stop at nothing to find the truth.”

Tapper said to those considering joining the club, “Keep an open mind, and maybe try to learn something new.”

Connot added, “We offer an environment where you can voice what you believe as a conservative. There’s not many places where you can do that, and hopefully this opens up a space for those people that want to.”

The hate and harassment one can experience for being firm in what they believe is visible on both sides of the political spectrum. This was seen with Kirk’s assassination, which is why Connot said, “I am responding to the opposition with love and patience God gave me. I want to hear what they believe, so I can understand why they believe what they believe, then tell them why they are wrong–if they are wrong–or admit I am wrong if they are right.”

Voicing beliefs, left or right, is what the First Amendment is for, but hate, slander, and even violence have recently been the result of practicing the most well-known civil liberty.

For students considering getting involved in politics, Connot offered this advice: “To others encountering the same things, I would say … respond with love–not with a wish to prove someone wrong, but a wish to educate people on what is right.”