The state of Tennessee formally announced its partnership with Turning Point USA’s Club America on Friday, ensuring that every school in Tennessee will be allowed to have a chapter on campus without pushback.
TPUSA Club America Enterprise Director Nick Cocca, along with Riley Gaines, US Senator Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, and TPUSA Action Senior Director Josh Thifault discussed the partnership and spoke of its significance.
Nick Cocca opened the event, highlighting the growth of Club America nationwide and in Tennessee.
“We’re going to grow very rapidly after today, and with this partnership that we’re announcing today,” he said.
A student in attendance, Cocca noted, had his chapter at a Chattanooga Christian school rejected for it being “too political.” Incidents like this make the partnership even more important.
“Club America students in high school… don’t give up easily,” Cocca stated. “They understand like Charlie did that saving America is hard work, and meaningful change never happens without a little bit of resistance.”
“I’m deeply grateful to the leadership in Tennessee for standing alongside our students,” he said toward his conclusion. “Because of your support, Club America will have a chapter at every high school in the state of Tennessee.”
Riley Gaines, who broke news of the partnership in November, discussed her feelings in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s passing, and how she is hopeful for the nation.
“Being on your campuses this past semester, and being here today, I just feel totally hopeful, I feel optimistic, I feel inspired by seeing so many of you,” she said addressing the students,” Gaines said.
Gaines visited several Tennessee campuses over the past year, where she’s seen “a total cultural revival” among young students inspired by Charlie Kirk and getting involved with TPUSA.
Club America and Tennessee’s partnership, Gaines said, is necessary because “nobody is immune to the cultural chaos that is plaguing this nation and plaguing this state.”
Gaines asked the audience a series of questions about patriotism and US civics, to gauge their fitness with the values of Club America.
“Then join Club America,” she beckoned them, as the students responded with approval to the questions.
In a video aired at the event, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced his enthusiasm for the partnership and its future in the state.
“I want to take a moment to recognize TPUSA: the incredible work of your founder Charlie Kirk,” Lee said. “You are inspiring young people across the country. Teaching patriotism and civility and the principles that make America strong; and it’s impacting the next generation of leaders. I am encouraged to see significant interest from Tennessee students in starting Club America chapters, an effort that will give students an opportunity to respectfully engage in the issues that shape our country. ”
This comes as, a few days ago, Texas and TPUSA announced a similar partnership for Club America chapters.
