Willows' Young Ladies Stand up for Life in Big and Small Ways
Travelling to Washington, D.C. to participate in the January 27 March for Life is only one of many ways that students at The Willows Academy in Des Plaines demonstrate their respect for human life. They also support Heather's House, a home for expectant mothers, and they educate their students and teachers on pro-life issues.
"It gave me hope to see that there are so many people my age who were fighting for this cause with me," said 10th grader Theresa Paschall, who travelled to the nation's capital for the March. Inspired by the speech of Vice-President Mike Pence, 11th grader Lourdes Garcia enthused: "It is exhilarating to think that this year's March for Life marks the day that the pro-life movement's voice will finally be heard by all in our government."
"Science teacher Maida Fernandez also stood up for life in D.C. She chaperoned a group of high school girls from various schools organized by Sherlake Cultural Center, an Opus Dei center in Glencoe, IL.
Approximately twenty students, from freshmen to seniors, are regularly involved with activities of the Willows' pro-life group. Others also join their families, parishes, and local groups to participate in outside activities.
For example, Liz Stangel, a 12th grader, joined her mother Katie for the Chicago March for Life on January 15. Liz said she participated because she feels a need "to stand up for what is right and to speak for the babies, but also to show the protesters that we march for the women.
Women who have had abortions or are thinking of having an abortion need to know that we love them and we are here to help them. We are 100% pro women! And I am part of the pro-life generation."
Mrs. Stangel, who is Assistant Athletic Director at The Willows and also an alumna of the school, spoke about another aspect of the movement, "…end of life care is also pro-life. [Our children's] paternal grandmother recently passed away after many years of suffering with diabetes and its complications. My children knew how important it was to visit her often in the nursing home and hospital along with attending doctors' appointments. They realize that both the unborn and the elderly need a voice to speak for them."
Dr. Darlene Douglas, a science teacher and the moderator of the school's pro-life group, recounted what the girls do on the premises, including a very successful baby bottle fundraiser in the fall that raised over $400. The week of January 27, to coincide with the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the group encouraged prayer and educated the students about the facts of abortion. That week they had a breakfast sale, prayed a Divine Mercy chaplet after school and also had "a pro-life add-on day, where the students [were] able to wear pink, blue, and yellow items to show their support for the pro-life cause," explained Dr. Douglas. They also collected donations for Heather's House to assist pregnant and new mothers with their needs.