The BYU College Republicans adjusted their annual fall social at the BYU Wilkinson Student Center on Sept. 11 to memorialize the recent death of right-wing political figure Charlie Kirk.
With a higher turnout of students than expected, BYU College Republicans officers Ashton Blake, Dallin Bundy and John Kennedy led a discussion about the tragic death that took place at UVU Sept. 10, then followed the discussion with a moment of silence. During the silence, students were seen bowing their heads and embracing each other.
“I initially came here because I felt like I needed to be around people who were just as shocked and horrified as I was,” Naomi Kruger, a BYU student, said. This was the first BYU College Republican event she had attended. She plans to continue participating.
“It’s a difficult time right now for many,” Bundy said. “We felt that if anything, what Charlie Kirk would have wanted was to come together as college students to talk.”
It’s Blake’s first semester as the BYU College Republican's president. He hoped this event would create a space for students to commune with each other.
“We made some pretty big changes to what we were originally planning to talk about at the social,” Blake said.
In the presentation, Blake shared a video about being a peacemaker from Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bundy also shared words of encouragement to attendees.
“This is something that we have to make decisions about — whether we give into hate … fear, loneliness,” Bundy said.
Bundy added that at BYU College Republicans, they really want to make sure that they come together and use this opportunity to strengthen each other.
“I am very saddened by what happened, but at the same time I recognize this as a warning sign … I’m optimistic that we can do something,” Blake said.
Blake emphasized the BYU College Republicans' goal to get students involved ahead of the 2026 Utah elections.
“That’s something that Charlie was very good at, whether or not you agreed with his politics,” Blake said.
“After this happened, I feel a responsibility to re-engage and do what I can to stand up for what I believe,” Juliet Ingram, a BYU College Republicans member, said. Ingram has been a member of the group since before she served her mission in 2019.
Kruger and Ingram are both music majors, but they did not know of each other's shared beliefs until the social.
“It feels good to know that I actually am surrounded by people who were horrified the way I was yesterday ... and who maybe feel hesitancy about speaking up,” Kruger said.
Kruger said she felt more determined to stand up for what she believes.
“I feel this new sense of hope and pride and love for America and patriotism that I want to share with people,” Kruger said.
Blake said he loves the Constitution, America and Jesus Christ.
“I know that as we go forward with faith after what’s happened … striving to be peacemakers, we can change the world,” Blake said.