Teenage Republicans chair admires Reagan

A new Teenage Republicans group is searching for members to get involved with politics and know more about what’s going on in America. 

The Teenage Republicans of Neshoba County re-formed back in late July, according to Ty Martin, the chairman and a sophomore at Neshoba Central.

Martin, son of Pat and Ann Marie Martin, wants to make a difference in the community. 

“Our goal is to get out and do community service and help the residents of Neshoba,” Martin said. “We’re sponsored by United States District Judge David Carter and the Republican Party, and we’re very grateful to the American Legion for letting us meet in their building.” 

Martin noted that the inspiration for this organization started back when he was a legislative page for state Rep. Scott Bounds of Philadelphia. Martin contacted the state federation and national groups, and Bounds put him in contact with the Republican Party. 

“Right now the Republicans have been really nice and have helped us get things and places we need,” he said. “Our biggest challenge right now is getting people involved, but besides that we’re happy with how far we’ve gotten and hope for more involvement in the future.” 

Martin said the organization is attempting to help rebuild the Fallen Veterans memorial in DeWeese Park. They’re also working on a project that involves collecting stars from retired American flags around the country that will be given out to veterans, first responders, along with hospital and hospice care workers, to show they haven’t been forgotten. 

“We’re hoping that this organization will bring awareness to young people about getting involved with politics,” Martin said. “There’s a need for more teen political involvement, and if we can play a small part in just our county, that would do some good.” 

Martin’s Republican hero is the late President Ronald Reagan, who had a history of promoting lower tax rates, reducing inflation and government spending. 

“One of my favorite quotes from Reagan is, ‘The government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives,’” he said. 

Martin also feels that Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett is a great choice and that President Trump made a great choice. 

“Judge Barrett has presented herself very well to the Senate Judiciary Committee over the past few days,” he said. “The President is well within his rights to have nominated her.”

Eli Brown, son of Jay and Kathy Brown and a sophomore at Neshoba Central High School, is the secretary for the Teenage Republicans. He said he got involved because he wants to help people as much as he can. 

“I’ve always loved helping people, and this is a way for me to aid Neshoba,” he said. “I’m also really into politics, so it’s perfect for me. We also wanted to have a teenage version of the Republicans of Neshoba County.”

Brown said the most important project the organization is working on is rebuilding the Fallen Veterans memorial. 

“We’ve been going around to different restaurants in Neshoba and raising money for the memorial,” he said. “A couple of years ago a tornado came through that knocked the memorial over and cracked it. We’re aiming to rebuild it to make it bigger and better.” 

Brown encouraged youths around Neshoba to give the organization a try. 

“If you love Neshoba as much as we do, it would be a great opportunity for you to help make the world a better place, piece by piece,” he said.

Brown said his Republican hero is Donald Trump, and he admires how much the president cares for this country. 

“Trump is a great man and president,” he said. “He knows what’s best for this country and he just wants to help the American people and knows what to do to help them. Nominating Amy Coney Barrett was one of those ways to help the country.” 

The treasurer of the Teenage Republicans, Rory Renfrow, is the son of Robert Renfrow Jr. and Laura Renfrow. He currently attends Neshoba Central High School as a sophomore, and has been with the Teenage Republicans for around two months. 

“I wanted to join because it would be really good for the community and I just wanted to help out,” he said. “We just want the lives of the people living here in Neshoba to be better, so we’re doing a lot of service projects.”

Renfrow said being the treasurer has been a smooth process and he enjoys the position a lot. 

“I was on the financial committee and a slot was open for treasurer, so I took it,” he said. “I highly recommend joining us if you’re considering it. We have fun at every meeting, and we have even more fun helping Neshoba.”

Renfrow noted that his Republican hero is Vice President Mike Pence, because he stands up for what’s right and isn’t sorry if people take it the wrong way because he believes it’s the right path to take. 

“Pence has been doing a great job, and Trump has been doing great during his first term as well,” he said. 

The Teenage Republicans of Neshoba currently meet in the American Legion building downton off Center Avenue. For more information, contact Ty Martin at 601-504-2839.