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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, the largest and fastest growing conservative youth activist organization in the country with over 250,000 student members, over 150 full-time staff, and a presence on over 2,000 high school and college campuses nationwide. Charlie is also the Chairman of Students for Trump, which aims to activate one million new college voters on campuses in battleground states in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and according to Axios, he is one of the "top 10 most engaged" Twitter handles in the world. He is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” which regularly ranks among the top news shows on Apple podcast charts.
Charlie Kirk Honors America's Most Courageous High School and College Students Fighting for Conservative Values
Charlie Kirk presents Turning Point USA's Patriot Rewards program awards at AmericaFest, celebrating the most dedicated student activists from an 800,000-strong chapter network. Among the honored: Mary Cup, a high school volleyball player who fought her administration over biological males in women's sports; Gabe Saint, who revived a dormant chapter at the University of Wyoming and successfully lobbied to defund DEI; and the University of Georgia chapter that hosted 5,000 students at a single event and supported Laken Riley's family. These students represent the front lines of the battle for free speech, conservative principles, and common sense on America's campuses.
At AmericaFest, Charlie Kirk took the stage to honor the exceptional students leading Turning Point USA's mission on high school and college campuses across America. With 800,000 students involved and over 1,200 high school chapters nationwide, Turning Point USA has built the largest conservative student chapter network in the country. The Patriot Rewards program recognizes those who go above and beyond in fighting for conservative values despite facing significant opposition from administrators, peers, and activist groups.
Kirk emphasized that these aren't just ceremonial awards—students compete throughout the year by growing their chapters, confronting university administrations, and mobilizing fellow students around principles like free speech, religious liberty, and biological reality. The honors presented represent the pinnacle of student activism in an increasingly hostile educational environment.
High School Patriot of the Year: Mary Cup's Fight for Women's Sports
The first award went to Mary Cup, president of the Clarkstown North High School Turning Point USA chapter in New York. Mary's story exemplifies the courage required of young conservatives today. As she entered her senior season as a volleyball player, her coach informed her she would likely see significant playing time. But when she arrived at tryouts, she discovered a biological male on her team.
Rather than accept this quietly, Mary took a stand. She fought her school administration and challenged the powers that be, leading a charge to keep biological males out of female sports. Her willingness to risk social ostracism and administrative retaliation as a high school senior earned her the High School Patriot Student of the Year award.
High School Legacy Chapter of the Year: Cedar Valley High School
The Legacy Chapter of the Year award for high schools went to Turning Point USA at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Despite being located in conservative Utah, these students faced aggressive opposition from their school's LGBTQ club, which attempted to shut down their organization for displaying pride in their country.
The Cedar Valley chapter refused to back down. They confronted their administration directly, not only keeping their club alive but strengthening it significantly. Their determination culminated in a historic achievement: they participated in the Flag in the Classroom initiative and raised funds to display a massive 30-by-50-foot American flag in their school's main hall—a first for their institution.
College Patriot of the Year: Gabe Saint Transforms University of Wyoming
The College Patriot Student of the Year award went to Gabe Saint, a senior at the University of Wyoming. Kirk noted the irony that one of the most significant free speech battles occurred in Wyoming, a state many assume would naturally protect conservative values. But as Kirk observed, some of the most conservative states harbor the bluest cities and most liberal university administrations.
Gabe discovered an inactive Turning Point USA chapter on campus and single-handedly revived it. He transformed a four-member club into what Kirk described as a "powerhouse organization," hosting record-breaking events and fundamentally reshaping university policy. When he displayed pro-life materials and gave a viral Newsmax interview, the backlash didn't deter him—it motivated him.
Gabe became a champion for First Amendment rights on campus, and his leadership extended far beyond the university. His advocacy influenced the Wyoming state legislature to defund Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, ultimately leading to the University of Wyoming's complete elimination of its DEI office. His impact demonstrates how one committed student can catalyze institutional and even statewide change.
College Legacy Chapter of the Year: University of Georgia
The final award, for College Legacy Chapter of the Year, went to the University of Georgia's Turning Point USA chapter. Kirk visited 25 college campuses during the fall semester, and he declared the University of Georgia chapter "extraordinary." Their event for Kirk drew 5,000 students—the largest attendance of any event during his entire campus tour and the biggest event in University of Georgia history.
The chapter's president had a bold vision that transformed the University of Georgia into what Kirk called "a conservative stronghold." They hosted high-profile speakers including Riley Gaines, Dr. Ben Carson, and Kirk himself. But their impact extended beyond event planning. The chapter actively served their community and was the first organization to step up, raise money, and support the family of Laken Riley after she was murdered by an illegal immigrant—a case that became national news.
Join the Movement
Kirk concluded by encouraging students in the audience to get involved with Turning Point USA. He directed them to the exhibit hall where they could sign up to start a chapter at their own high school or college. The message was clear: any student willing to fight for American values can one day stand on the AmericaFest stage receiving recognition for their courage and impact.
These awards showcase what's possible when young Americans refuse to be silenced, refuse to compromise their principles, and refuse to accept the progressive status quo on their campuses. From fighting biological males in women's sports to eliminating DEI bureaucracies and supporting crime victims' families, these students represent the front lines of America's cultural and political battle—and they're winning.
