CHS Club America students gather for State of the Union viewing

Students share optimism while discussing leadership, civic responsibility and the future of America.

Fire and Vine restaurant was the site of a viewing party Feb. 24 as high school students gathered to watch the State of the Union address.

The students are part of Cookeville High School’s Club America, with the president of a neighboring high school chapter also attending.

“These students had an idea and ran with it,” said Jennifer Shope, club sponsor and math teacher at Cookeville High School. “I’m so proud of them. They are such a great group.”

The club meets once a month during school and has meaningful conversations about the topics of the day.

“It’s fun because we go around and ask everyone questions about this or that,” said Annie Brown, a senior at CHS and president of the high school chapter.

“It’s a good learning experience.”

Another way students are expanding those discussions is through gatherings such as viewing the State of the Union.

Annie, along with Vice President Reagan Brown and White County High School Club America President Summer Phillips, gathered with several other students to hear President Donald Trump’s speech.

“I connected with Summer on Facebook and invited her and members of her group to this,” Annie said.

Annie joined TPUSA to create an impact on campus because she believes in conservative values and supporting individual freedoms.

“I am excited to be the first president of this chapter,” she said. “Reagan will do a fabulous job next year when she takes over.”

Reagan — who was named after President Ronald Reagan — is a junior who enjoys reading, going to the lake and helping run the CHS Christian Prayer Room. She joined TPUSA to help spread the message of free thought and faith and to encourage fellow students to stand up for what they believe in.

Phillips said she is excited to be part of the inaugural chapter at White County High School.

Even though the two groups are still in their infancy, they already have activities scheduled to help the community.

One of those is Operation Diaper Dash, set for Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oldham’s Theater in Sparta. The event will allow community members to drop off supplies for babies in need, such as diapers, pacifiers, baby clothes and other items.

For more information about Club America’s Cookeville High School chapter, follow @clubamerica_cookevillehigh on Instagram.