Wyoming Superintendent Backs Student's Right to Establish Turning Point USA Chapter

In a decisive move, Wyoming's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Megan Degenfelder, has publicly supported Kylie Wall, a senior at Natrona County High School, in her efforts to establish a chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at her school.

 

Wall, 17, has reported facing resistance from school administrators, including Principal Aaron Wilson, in her attempts to launch the conservative student organization. She alleges that her informational posters were removed by teachers and that she was advised to "be careful about this" when discussing the club's formation. These actions have raised concerns about potential infringements on students' First Amendment rights.

 

Superintendent Degenfelder addressed the situation, stating, "I stand with Kylie Wall and with any student in Wyoming who wants to learn and engage civically and thoughtfully. Our administrators and teachers must foster environments that are safe for ideas and debate, not closed classrooms where only certain viewpoints are tolerated." She emphasized that every student has the right to speak, question, and debate in school, and that any attempt to silence them crosses a line she will not ignore.

 

Degenfelder has engaged in discussions with both Wall and District Superintendent Angela Hensley to advocate for Wall's right to free speech and to seek accountability from the school administration. She issued a stern warning to educators who might suppress student expression or treat clubs unequally: "This is your wake-up call. The Constitution does not stop at the schoolhouse doors."

 

Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by the late Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery, is a national nonprofit organization that promotes conservative principles on high school and college campuses. The organization has seen a surge in interest following Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025, during a speaking engagement in Orem, Utah.

 

Wall's determination to establish a TPUSA chapter at Natrona County High School reflects a broader trend of students seeking to engage in political discourse and advocacy within their educational institutions. The support from state education officials underscores the importance of upholding free speech rights and fostering diverse viewpoints in schools.

 

As this situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between school administration policies and students' constitutional rights. The outcome may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, both in Wyoming and nationwide.