Students in Club America, the Carl Sandburg pilot program of the high school affiliate for Turning Point USA, held two meetings in January after a December meeting was delayed due to public controversy.
About 50 students attended meetings Jan. 13 and Jan. 28, where student identification cards were taken upon entry to the meeting.
Students set club priorities Jan. 13, such as ways to give back to veterans, support U.S. military and the country through hosting veterans and active duty military members for talks, learn about government and civic processes and develop responsible leadership characteristics, said Kelly Mendoza, the program’s faculty sponsor.
Students hosted two speakers Jan. 28 from the special operations Marines, Joe Malone and Mike Mendoza. Mendoza said the speakers shared their military experiences, why they chose to serve and what leadership means to them.
Mendoza said the students were highly engaged with the speakers and asked thoughtful, meaningful questions, which she said showed their interest and respect.
Students also announced their first service project at the second meeting, a fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s to support the fight against childhood cancer, Mendoza said.
Mendoza said the club raised $3,750 as of Feb. 10 toward its $10,000 goal for the St. Baldrick’s service project.
Mendoza said students are also raising money for homeless veterans in Illinois, an idea she said students developed and led themselves.
“I am incredibly proud of our executive board; these students have truly stepped up as confident leaders and serve as a positive influence on their peers,” she said.
But parents of students in the club alleged their students are harassed and threatened online due to their association in the club. When asked to comment, two parents of students refused due to fear of such harassment.
Christy Dominguez Schultz, a parent of students who graduated from Carl Sandburg in 2024 and 2025, said several parents of club members have told her they are nervous to comment.
Dominguez Schultz said the parents reached out to her privately after she started posting about the alleged harassment online.
“There should never ever be any reason that our children or teachers shouldn’t feel safe at that school,” Dominguez Schultz said.
Dominguez Schultz sent the Southtown several screenshots of online comments circulated under Club America posts threatening students with physical violence.
She said her children also experienced bullying when they attended Sandburg and that she felt brushed off by district administration. She said these threats need to be taken seriously.
“With threats like these not taken seriously … that’s when disaster hits, then it’s too late,” she said. “I feel bad for the kids and teachers at this school. It shouldn’t have to be this way.”
Turning Point USA, a a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, aims to identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government, according to its national website. Club America is the high school affiliate.
Several students protested the club in December, claiming the program’s outside influence violates a section of the Equal Access Act prohibiting people outside a school from directing conduct, controlling or regularly attending student groups.
Students also claimed the club made them feel unsafe, due to the club’s association with the immigration enforcement raids in Chicago.
A few students said in January they noticed the club was a topic of conversation among students in classes, in the hallways or online. A few students said teachers either disagree or agree with the club and said one teacher wore a Club America sweater in class.
Hani Haddad, a Sandburg sophomore, said a group of students debating about the club on his bus home. Senior Adam Mazoni said he has seen peaceful protests against the club.
“I don’t mind it as long as it doesn’t affect me,” Mazone said. “At the same time, the other clubs that were rejected should have the same opportunities as this one.”
Mendoza said in a statement the club is completely student-led and is dedicated to empowering students to become confident leaders within the school and community.
She said students learn how government and civic processes work and gain a deeper understanding of how these systems affect their communities.
District 230 Superintendent Robert Nolting said in mid-January that administrators at Sandburg and at the district level have been responsive to parent and student concerns.
“We have also worked with staff and student leadership within the club to make sure they are adhering to all school and district expectations that exist for all activities,” Nolting said.
District 230 communications director Jennifer Waterman said, as with any co-curricular in pilot status, the club’s participation levels will be reviewed regularly, and student engagement and adherence to schoolwide expectations will be monitored.
She said members of all clubs, both pilot and established, must abide by the code of conduct, and the sponsor must meet their expectations and responsibilities.
“The school and district administration will continue to communicate and inform those inside and outside the school community of our responsibilities and mandates as they relate to clubs and participation, while ensuring that school rules are followed and students exhibit appropriate behavior and remain safe,” she said.
Board member Tim Danlow spoke in support of the club in December, congratulating the students who founded.
“They have taken on a tremendous undertaking of civic discussion and respectful dialogue,” Danlow said. “I have 100% faith in our student body that this club will be a positive opportunity for any who choose to participate and a constructive addition to our school community.”
awright@chicagotribune.com
