8 IMPACT MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015 March for Life March for Life The March for Life has been something I always wanted to be a part of. Luckily, this year I was given the opportunity. Pro-life is very close to my heart because I am adopted. This past year I have been working more to spread the message of the beauty of adoption and putting an end to abortion. Although making up all the homework and being uncomfortable trying to sleep on a bus were burdens, it was doable because I was on my way to do something great. Prior to the March for Life, we had the opportunity to take in many sights. We visited the National Basilica, toured the U.S. Capitol and spent an extended time touring the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Because of Mrs. Neman’s IB History class, I recognized a lot of information regarding Hitler’s rise to power and the beginnings of the war. As the museum went on, everyone was quiet, and we each went at our own pace. It was difficult to imagine people could ever treat others in such a way, but in the same way today, innocent babies are being killed without any regard to their lives. More than 3,700 babies are killed by abortion each day. We spent the night at a Catholic church in Maryland. They graciously welcomed us with cheering and gave us dinner. We spent a really special evening with other “pilgrims” on their way to the March. The night was beautiful! They held an Exalt — featuring the Catholic band The Thirsting, who performed for us as we all spent time praising the Lord with song and a very intimate Adoration. On January 22, the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, I finally joined the March! I was astonished by the thousands of people who were as passionate as I was about standing up for pro-life! As we slipped into the line of marchers, I could hear people chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Roe V. Wade has got to go!” Soon our group was joining in. We chanted, “We love babies, yes we do, we love babies, how ‘bout you!?” And we sang, “Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, Roe V. Wade goodbye.” For those of you who do not know me, I am quite short at 4'10." When we reached the top of the hill and neared the end of the March, I had to hop to see the large crowd behind me. My heart was filled with love and joy because I saw how many people I was standing with in support of this cause. What struck me the most was how many teenagers I saw walking all around me. We are the next generation, and if we are standing up for what we believe in now, we can do great things in the future. I felt so empowered by the whole experience. I was sticking up for what I believe in, and I was sticking up for those without a voice. I feel truly blessed to have been granted the gift of life. My birthmother could have chosen to abort me, but she chose to give me life. That is why I especially feel called to speak for those who do not have a voice. I will continue to pray for the law to change so we won’t need to go back next year. By Mary Elise Dorsett Guerin Catholic Class of 2015
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