Dupage Policy Journal

Lyons Township High School students have established a local chapter of Turning Point USA, a non-profit organization that prides itself on educating students on conservative principles of freedom, free markets and limited government.

The group is planning a rally at the school on Oct. 19 that will be hosted by state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). Senate candidate Rob Cruz, Congressional candidate Jack Lombardi, Freedom Initiative Now Chairman Nick Richmond and TPUSA ambassador Lexi Lach are also expected to speak at the event.

The new chapter stands to be primarily student-led, with chapter president Leslie Mendoza adding members plan to regularly hold debates and discussions aimed at giving like-minded students a platform to share their thoughts and opinions.

“I feel like at LT, conservatives really just don’t have a voice,” Mendoza told Lionnewspaper.com. “Or if you come out and try to say anything [conservative], you automatically get shut down.”

The group held its first meeting on Jan. 21 and plans to host weekly gatherings over Zoom going forward. According to chapter vice president Will Kopp, speakers with varying viewpoints are slated to be a regular part of the mix with the discussions including such topics as the benefits of a free market, cancel culture and the media’s impact on public opinion.

“It is important for LT to have a group like Turning Point because it offers a place on campus where all kinds of ideas can be exchanged and talked about in a non-class setting,” Kopp said.

Mendoza said students don’t have to directly identify as conservative in order to join the group, adding her focus simply revolves around giving students a platform where they can be heard.

In becoming an official Turning Point USA chapter, Mendoza said she had to coordinate with and get approval from the regional Turning Point office. She said she is now continuing to work with Turning Point executive board members so the group can become an official club, with the criteria including getting a faculty sponsor and 25 student signatures.

Among events she said the group is ultimately hoping to sponsor is a rally to support the police. She said members also plan to attend such national events as the Student Action Summit and Young Women’s Leadership Summit.