{"id":333,"date":"2026-09-18T22:29:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T22:29:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/?sjc_news=st-joseph-christian-school-leader-students-reflect-on-erika-kirks-september-visit"},"modified":"2026-09-18T22:29:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T22:29:54","slug":"st-joseph-christian-school-leader-students-reflect-on-erika-kirks-september-visit","status":"publish","type":"sjc_news","link":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/?sjc_news=st-joseph-christian-school-leader-students-reflect-on-erika-kirks-september-visit","title":{"rendered":"St. Joseph Christian School leader, students reflect on Erika Kirk\u2019s September visit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — St. Joseph Christian School students invited and hosted Turning Point USA Chair Erika Kirk earlier this month and now, they’re reflecting on the opportunity.<\/p>\n

The visit came six days before the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Kirk’s husband, Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA. Despite the timing, spirits remained high, according to SJCS Co-Superintendent Danny Maggart and students who help run the school’s Club America chapter.<\/p>\n

Turning Point USA’s high school clubs operate under the Club America banner. The organization’s website describes it as a youth movement for “freedom-loving American values” that empowers free thinking and activism and brings those beliefs into students’ lives in and out of the classroom.<\/p>\n

Maggart said he was impressed by students’ initiative in starting the club and how it aligns with the school’s mission.<\/p>\n

“Politics are a part of (Club America), but it is with our mission here \u2014 it is biblical truth above politics,” Maggart said. “But it’s ultimately just one of the many things we try to do here to equip our students to impact our world for Christ. That’s what these kids are wanting to do. And if that’s in the political arena, great. If it’s in other arenas, great. It’s been fun to watch their passion and watch their excitement.”<\/p>\n

Students said Kirk’s visit meant a lot, not only because she made time to come to St. Joseph but also because it fell close to the anniversary of her husband’s assassination.<\/p>\n

“I remember hearing her say, ‘This is actually therapy for me right now,'” Maggart said. “And, you know, she stood there and hugged kids with some tears in her eyes. It just kind of showed, you know, she’s a real person, just like the rest of us. So it was special that I think our kids blessed her that day.”<\/p>\n

Maggart and students said Kirk’s speech was simple but impactful.<\/p>\n

She shared messages about individualism and not being afraid to speak one’s mind, as her late husband did. She also encouraged Club America members that they don’t have to be the next Charlie Kirk but should carry on his spirit as they fight for causes they believe in.<\/p>\n

Other advice that stood out: Stay grounded in what is real, stay off social media when possible and remember what feels right to keep going.<\/p>\n

“It was pretty amazing that these students would have that ability (to bring in someone like Kirk),” Maggart said. “The thing that I love most about these students is their humility. And they’re also very quiet leaders. These are not the students that are necessarily the rah-rah leaders, per se, which you need those, but they are the quiet, behind-the-scenes type leaders.”<\/p>\n

For more information about Club America, visit the Turning Point USA website.<\/p>\n

The post St. Joseph Christian School leader, students reflect on Erika Kirk’s September visit<\/a> appeared first on KQ2 | St. Joseph, Missouri News, Weather & Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — St. Joseph Christian School students invited and hosted Turning Point USA Chair Erika Kirk earlier this month and now, they’re reflecting on the opportunity. The visit came six days before the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":334,"template":"","class_list":["post-333","sjc_news","type-sjc_news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/sjc_news\/333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/sjc_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/sjc_news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stjosephconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}