Politics is a hot topic among both adults and teens, often leading to tense and harmful environments. This environment is only made worse by the all too common ignorance around political topics. Teens combat this ignorance by putting in effort to involve and educate themselves. One way students at Arroyo Grande High School do this is through on-campus clubs such as Young Progressives and Club America.
Young Progressives and Club America hold differing views. The Young Progressives typically hold liberal ideologies, while Club America is focused on conservative principles. Despite this political difference, both clubs see the other as important.
“To have another political club that has a direct disagreement [to Young Progressives] is great because now there is an opportunity for both sides to feel comfortable going to a club,” Young Progressives Vice President Annalie Dixon (‘27) said.
Club America shares the same view.
“It’s important to have both sides,” Eleni Come (‘26) said. “It should be equal.”
Club America is a new club coming to campus, holding their first meeting on October 15th in their club advisor, Nick Tally’s room. Club America is a branch of Turning Point USA, the organization started by Charlie Kirk. Students Lucas Korth (‘26), Eleni Come (‘26), Audrey Vanherweg (‘26), and Lily Meek (‘27) officially founded the club around September 17th.
“The first [topic from TPUSA] is called the use of America. It’s a lot about the founding fathers and the Constitution,” Korth said.
Club America utilizes resources provided by its parent organization to assist in club activity.
“They provide resources like planning the meetings, activities, [and] speakers we could invite,” Come said.
Young Progressives is a lot older than Club America, its current iteration being around for around 6 years. Club president and Vice president Bibi Shah and Annalie Dixon host meetings every Monday at lunch in room 406.
“We do a slideshow recapping what is going on in the world, and we talk about it,” Shah said. “We compare ideas and learn from them.”
Young Progressives also participate in activism.
“I’ll put advertisements [for events] in the slides,” Shah said. “One of the [events] we went to this summer was Marcha De La Puebla.”
Speakers also come in to teach these clubs.
“Sometimes we have guest speakers come in and teach us what’s happening in the community,” Shah said. “We’ve had some people from Planned Parenthood come.”
Club America also uses these resources.
“We’ve talked about having people come in and talk to [the club],” Korth said. “We have somebody who is very involved with [Turning Point Faith].”
While both clubs do hold a majority view on either side of the political compass, being conservative and liberal, they still share sentiments.
“We would love for as many people as possible to come and participate,” Vanherweg said.
Young Progressives share this idea, even having conservative members partake in their club in the past.
“Last year we had some people who lean conservative come in,” Shah said. “We’re not just subjected to one group.”
Through any differences the clubs have, they both highlight a crucial idea
“Soon we’re all going to be able to vote on these issues, and if we don’t have our own say and build up our own opinions now, we won’t be able to do quality voting,” Shah said.
Both clubs do what they can to better educate students before they enter the adult world.
“It’s important to educate students because we all are going to be voters eventually, so educating us on what is going on in our world [is important],” Come said.
Political enlightenment is crucial for students when entering politics.
