By Carson K

Politics seem to be on the forefront of everyone’s minds these days, and for Sophomore Eric Siegrist, it is no different. Siegrist has started a new club here at Walled Lake Central, The Young Republicans. and aims to ready students for taking political action within the community through a wide variety of politically based events.

The club is sponsored by Social Studies teacher Anthony Jankowski, and they plan to hold their first meeting in D107 on March 16 from 2:20 to 3:45. “I look forward to seeing students get politically active. It’s interesting to see them bridge the gap between the things they learn in civics and econ and applying them to real world situations” says Jankowski.

Accordinging to Siegrist, each meeting will include a guest speaker and political discussions on current events, allowing the members to learn more about current political events. The club, both funded and chartered by the Oakland County Republican Party, hopes to schedule a series of social activities as well as a trip to Lansing to learn about State-level government here in Michigan. Siegrist believes that these events are of utmost importance to the club and will be a deciding factor in the club’s success. Siegrist explained, “I want the club to be successful, and go on to do many things like charity events, a trip to Lansing, Michigan; and to possibly expand the club out to our community.”

Within the Oakland County Republican Party, Siegrist has been in contact with Oakland County Republican Party Youth Chair Paul Stevens, who has played a large role in ensuring the club’s start-up and has acted as an advisor for Siegrist throughout the early stages of the Club. Stevens has helped set some of these events in motion for the club and is determined to make the Young Republicans Club here at Walled Lake Central a valuable addition.

While the clubs intent is to get students active in politics here in Walled Lake, some controversy has arisen from the timeliness of this club’s addition in regards to the election and what its existence means to those who do not identify as Republican. One unnamed student said, “The club supports a man child that has no respect for women, other races and religions. The republican views are not all bad but I cannot stand to support a club that supports him.” However, Siegrist says that his intentions for the club were just to give a voice to students interested in politics, “If students want to make a Young Democrats club, then by all means they should. The goal for the group is to discuss politics, I don’t see what’s wrong with that.” said Siegrist. He continued, “I decided to start the Young Republicans Club because I wanted to stand up for the people in our school who feel like they cannot stand up for what they believe in without being reprimanded by their peers or teachers.”

Siegrist hopes to see this club through and gain support from his peers in the process despite the opposition. He hopes that the club will eventually be recognized as what he planned it to be, a place for people with similar political beliefs to discuss issues relevant in their lives. Although support of the club may not be unanimous, the legitimacy of this club is undeniable and Siegrist, alongside his supporters, have every intention to ensure that the club’s charter and support remain for future Walled Lake Central students.