On April 17th, 2026, Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana hosted a "Career Fair" for students in grades 11-12. The first keynote speaker was Micah Beckwith, Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. Beckwith spoke about the state of Indiana with relative neutrality in an admirable way, but mentioned personal beliefs regarding God, and while being introduced, had his mission of battling the "woke agenda" mentioned. We believe that partisan speakers should not present in front of entire grade populations due to our belief that political interests should be isolated to individual clubs or organizations.

We do not mean to completely censure political involvement and activism at Valparaiso High School. We fully respect the authority of the Club America chapter and the up-and-coming High School Democrats of America chapter. The difference is that these organizations participate on a voluntary basis. People sign up for these clubs to talk to like-minded people. Beckwith’s introduction presented political and social beliefs on a nature many consider unwanted. 

We would like to establish that in the future, this should not be an issue, and that events like these should remain nonpartisan, be it Democrat, Republican, or any party which wishes to establish a presence in a high school.

We thank you for your time.