Kirk-inspired Club America forms at Twelve Bridges High School; first meeting draws protests

Twelve Bridges High School hosted its first Club America meeting Thursday by discussing topics on sexuality through biblical context, the separation of church and state and Martin Luther King being a Marxist. Club America is a high school group inspired by Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who was assassinated during a visit to Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Club America is the high school version of Kirk's college club Turning Point USA. According to Club America's website, the organization's mission is to identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government. "TPUSA High School is the student mobilization of America's most spirited, anti-woke warriors," the Turning Point website writes. "With over 1,000 student-led chapters engaged on high school campuses, TPUSA High School is energizing a new generation of pro-America patriots." Twelve Bridges is the fourth public high school in the area to add a Club America to their campus, following West Park, Granite Bay and Nevada Union. Forming of the club Twelve Bridges Club America President Garrett Culp said their chapter's goal is to create dialogue at their campus in a similar matter Kirk did on college campuses. "We're really trying to promote Christian values, pro-American values, and it's a lot. It's really scary just seeing what's happening in our country," he explained. "I feel like right now, there's a lot of teachers, and just like the way the education system works, there's some deep-seated hatred towards America, and I really don't like it, because America is the best country on Earth." Culp, a sophomore, said the goal is to open the dialogue between both sides of the political spectrum. "During the Cold War, America and the Soviet Union didn't talk, and it led to ... the Cuban missile crisis," he explained. "And then JFK, of course, one of the great presidents of America, negotiated the end of the Cuban missile crisis by just speaking with the Soviet Union and taking the missiles out of Cuba. And when there's no dialogue between different parties, they're in these isolation bubbles of hatred that just grow and grow and grow." Culp shared the only way to combat hatred is through love. "And the only way to combat hatred is love, and the ultimate love is Jesus Christ, and that's what we're trying to do," he said. "We're trying to spread love. We're trying to spread the Gospel. We're trying to spread pride in our country and pride in America, and I believe we will accomplish it." The Western Placer Unified School District wrote that the club has met district criteria to operate on campus. "Allowing a student club to exist does not constitute endorsement of the club's beliefs or viewpoints. As a public school district, WPUSD is legally required to uphold students' rights to form and participate in approved student clubs in accordance with Board Policy 6145.5 and federal law, including the Equal Access Act," the district wrote in a press release. "When schools permit non-curriculum student clubs, those clubs must be treated fairly and consistently, regardless of political, philosophical or ideological perspective." Clubs within the district operate under a limited open forum. All student-initiated clubs at secondary schools must be voluntary, student-led and meet during non-instructional time. WPUSD shared the club was approved in October. The district wrote in a statement that protecting students' free expression and wellbeing are shared responsibilities of the school environment. "WPUSD is equally committed to maintaining safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments for every student. Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or conduct that targets students based on race, identity, or belief is not permitted and will not be tolerated," WPUSD wrote. "School administrators continue to monitor student activities to ensure these expectations are upheld. Protecting student free expression and protecting student well-being are shared responsibilities. The District remains committed to fulfilling both, even when the issues involved are complex or uncomfortable." First meeting draws protestors The club's first meeting included Lincoln City Councilmember Holly Andreatta as a guest speaker. She shared she was happy to accept the invitation. "I was invited to speak at the inaugural meeting at Club America at Twelve Bridges on Thursday, December 11th," she shared with Gold Mountain California News Media. "As mayor, I have been invited to speak at many classes and clubs in Placer County and I was happy to accept this invitation. The student officers of the club were very welcoming to all students and explained that the club was open to everyone. They explained that the club was formed to foster respectful dialogue about ideas and to celebrate America." Andreatta, who is campaigning for Placer County Supervisor in District 2, said her initial speech was about her faith in God, having strong beliefs and how to navigate conversations with people with different opinions. "I talked about faith in God and having courage and knowing what you believe and how to articulate it, and that having a difference of opinion isn't hate, like all of that, I talked about all that, and then we let them ask questions," she explained. She shared that student protestors attended the meeting alongside students who genuinely wanted to attend the club. "Before the meeting, the principal had to walk us to the room, walk us back. I mean, nothing happened, but she wanted to make sure that nobody said anything or accosted us, you know, because they already expected these people to be, these kids to be there to protest, and they were already trying to get it shut down." A video of the speech went viral, including topics of her daughter's sexuality in relation to Andreatta's religious beliefs, her opinion of separation of church and state being a myth and a quote about Martin Luther King being a Marxist whose civil rights activism was not helpful that she said was taken out of context. Andreatta shared, "An edited excerpt of a student club meeting has circulated without the full exchange, leading to interpretations that extend beyond the intended scope of that discussion." One comment she felt was taken out of context implied King was a Marxist. "A lot of research has turned out that Martin Luther King was a Marxist and that he was for socialism and a lot of the Civil Rights things that he advocated for were not really helpful," she shared to the class in a video recording of the club presentation. She explained to Gold Mountain California News Media that those were not her beliefs but Charlie Kirk's beliefs. She explained that before the video started a student asked her what Kirk's beliefs were about King. "And I said, OK, I'll answer that question based on what I know I've heard him saying but, and I looked at the whole crowd, and I said, as long as you understand I'm not giving you my personal opinion," Andreatta explained. In another clip, Andreatta shared her experience navigating her religious beliefs with her daughter's sexuality. "My oldest daughter had a lot of trauma as a child," she said to the club. "Something really terrible happened to her when she was very young that I would hope would never happen to any other child, and as a result of it, she's a lesbian. She's gay. She's married to a woman." She shared her daughter's sexuality is an internal struggle for her, as she believes marriage is between a man and a woman. "I believe the scripture is very clear on homosexuality, but on the other side of that I love her dearly," she explains. "We are in relationship and that's what Charlie Kirk's message was, is like we may not agree. My daughter knows where I stand biblically, but I love her." Andreatta spoke a message of loving everybody despite differentiating opinions and lifestyles. "We need to love everybody. We do not need to discriminate. You might not agree with somebody's lifestyle, but we love them, and we're kind to them," she shared with the students. Andreatta has a background teaching eighth-grade U.S. History in the public school system. After leaving the public school space, she became an adjunct professor at Epic Bible College and Graduate School. She is currently the Associate Director of Development at Jessup University. She is also an ordained minister who serves at a church in Lincoln. She shared she believes the idea of separation of church and state is a myth, saying, "It's not in the Constitution. Our world has flipped that and tried to say that there's no place for faith in public life." She explained she doesn't go to city council meetings and preach a sermon but uses her biblical worldview to make decisions. Andretta expressed she is frustrated the focus of community commentary about the club have been about her and not the students. "What matters most is the students. Public schools should be places where students with a wide range of personal beliefs, including differing and opposing viewpoints, are treated with dignity and respect," she explained. "No student should be subjected to harassment, threats or intimidation for expressing their views, and no student should feel unsafe on campus. As an educator and community leader, my responsibility is to advocate for all students and to ensure a respectful, safe learning environment. My focus remains on student wellbeing and civil discourse."