Previously posted in December 2025 issue.

Club America, a club inspired by Turning Point USA, has officially launched at Emmaus High School. The club aims to focus on healthy debates with other political parties to see different people’s view on world problems. 

Club America began as an attempt to bring the ideas of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization founded by debater Charlie Kirk, to the high school level. Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 during a speech at Utah Valley University, but Turning Point USA lives on. The nonprofit strives to allow conservative voices to be heard in schools across America, and Club America hopes to do the same.

Sophomore Hannah Gherasim, president of Club America, started this club to represent Kirk’s conservative beliefs, have respectful debates between students, and to talk about real-world political issues. Gherasim believes the club should focus on being open-minded and letting everyone’s voices be heard.

“[The school can help us by] being supportive and allowing, if their friends have different beliefs, just allowing them to do what they believe,” Gherasim said.

Instructional Assistant and advisor of Young Republicans Julie Shook took on the role of advisor for Club America alongside co-advisor Gretchen McClain. Shook decided to accept this position due to her experience as advisor of Young Republicans.

“I’m just really excited to see where it goes as a new club,” Shook said.

Club America remains steadfast in its current and future goals. The club officers and members are committed to fostering political conversations within the East Penn School District and maintaining their goals.

“We want to have healthy debates about issues going on in the world,” Shook said, “to see how we can make change in the world.”