Amid dueling petitions, District 214 mulls whether to recognize Kirk as distinguished alumnus

Could Charlie Kirk soon be honored as a distinguished alumnus at Wheeling High School?

Dueling online petitions garnering thousands of signatures in recent days both support and oppose the idea of a permanent recognition for the slain political activist, but Northwest Suburban High School District 214 officials are so far noncommittal.

District leaders said they’re currently updating the process to apply for and assess distinguished alumni awards, and will follow that process with the requests of Kirk’s supporters. The update underway at the district’s office will align with the new strategic plan approved by the school board in April, officials said.

“This will ensure the district has a uniform nominating process and each school evaluates nominees using the same criteria,” according to a district statement provided Wednesday in response to Daily Herald questions.

The new procedures should be finalized by January, with the next round of distinguished alumni awards set to be announced in the 2026-2027 school year, the district said.

When asked about the criteria that would be used to select alumni, the district statement said the award would honor graduates “who have made significant and noteworthy achievements as successful adults in their chosen careers and/or have served as benefactors to mankind.”

Kirk — a 2012 graduate of Wheeling High School who that same year founded conservative political organization Turning Point USA — was not previously named a distinguished alumnus, district officials said.

But he and other alumni were featured in a “Where Are They Now” campaign to highlight the district’s career pathways program. Photos of Kirk and other graduates were on foam boards located above two stairwells and cafeteria windows, district officials confirmed.

The alumni photos first went up in 2005, but were removed in 2020 as the foam boards were deteriorating and the program ended amid a full district rebranding campaign, the district said.

The pro-Kirk petition, echoed by two residents who spoke at a school board meeting last week, also calls for a districtwide day of honor for him, including school assemblies, moments of reflection or community events. District 214 declined that request.

“While we continue to extend our deepest condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family and friends for this terrible and senseless loss, we will not hold a districtwide memorial as that would disrupt the learning environment at our schools,” the statement reads. “Instead, we encourage students, faculty, staff and families to mourn and remember Charlie Kirk together at one of the many public services and vigils that are being organized throughout the community.”

Petition organizers also called for expedited approval of any Turning Point student chapters in the schools, especially since the district has welcomed the League of Women Voters.

District officials said such chapters would be allowed space in school buildings as “non-school sponsored groups,” defined as advocating “particular religious, political or philosophical beliefs or ideas.” Such organizations have equal access to district facilities, but the district doesn’t provide funding, promote or participate in meetings or events, or otherwise support group activities, officials said.

Those groups must have a volunteer “monitor” who is an employee of the district, but would not receive additional compensation, the district said. The employee must attend group meetings for supervisory purposes, but can’t participate in the group’s activities, the statement said.