LTHS Conservative Group Contacts Equity Director

LA GRANGE, IL — Lyons Township High School has twice rejected official club status for the local branch of a conservative student group. That means the chapter must pay to use a room for meetings.

The school most recently turned down Turning Point USA's bid for a chapter in mid-January. It said Turning Point, a nonprofit group, is partisan.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained Turning Point's application and emails between the local chapter and school officials. The school redacted the name of the student with Turning Point who corresponded with officials.

In an interesting turn, a Turning Point leader, likely senior Leslie Mendoza, requested a meeting with Jennifer Rowe, the school's director of equity and belonging, a few days after the rejection. During school board meetings, conservative residents have questioned the need for Rowe's position, which was created last year.

In a Jan. 24 email to Rowe, the student wrote, "I am a senior and run the Turning Point USA chapter here at LT."

The student continued, "I would love the opportunity to sit and meet with you to discuss how the equity and belonging committee and our chapter can work together moving forward. I believe there is an endless amount of growth that we can both strive for."

The student described Turning Point as a group that teaches students about the country's values, provides opportunities to get involved and builds relationships with other students.

Rowe replied with information about equity events.

In Turning Point's application for school club status, the group said it lets students openly express their viewpoints, no matter their politics.

The chapter also listed some of its volunteer activities — helping with recycling events with area state lawmakers, helping set up Oak Brook's Field of Honor Memorial for a Sept. 11 ceremony and distributing goodie bags for four local police departments for National Police Week.

In the application, Turning Point said it discusses controversial issues, but it prepares students for them.

"Throughout the last few years, accusations have been brought up against the organization regarding hate, white supremacy, etc.," the application said. "As a chapter, we will not tolerate any sort of hate or violence towards anyone."

On social media last year, Mendoza denounced well-known Lyons Township alumnus Nicholas Fuentes, a former student body president and 2016 graduate. Fuentes is an admitted racist and has drawn attention in national publications.

After the school's decision last month, Mendoza took officials to task.

"Lyons Township High School won't approve a Turning Point USA chapter that teaches true American values as an official school club, but will allow teachers to participate in a (Black Lives Matter) book study so that they can 'help students make sense of this new reality'? Lol ok, LT," Mendoza wrote on Facebook.

The club pays the school $36 an hour to use a room.

Patch left a message with the Turning Point chapter.