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September 21, 2009 • VOL. 47, NO. 16 • Oakland, CA | |||
at Pro-Life Boot Camp talk about commitment (Also see Oakland bishop applauds, inspires pro-life teens)
Age: 17 Parish: St. Agnes, Concord School: Concord High Organization: Concord High School Pro Life Club Stephen founded the Concord High School Pro Life Club in 2008 because there wasn’t any pro-life representation on his campus. Its purpose is to inform the student body about life issues and to have a place of support for those who are pro-life. Stephen likes meeting students of all faiths in this group. He says, “Some people might ask, ‘Why would you start this in high school?’, but I’ve witnessed that it’s really needed in high school situations because people are sexually active at younger and younger ages and need to hear it before the consequences in their life blow up.” This year’s plans include participation in Silent Day’s “Day of Silence,” and the Walk for Life. Contact info: ststephen1@gmail.com
Age: 14 Parish: St. Margaret Mary, Oakland School: Home schooled Organization: California Right to Life Education Fund Maddie serves at monthly mall information tables with two other students, while another two walk around handing out literature and referring people to the table. Maddie has been doing this for a few months. She says, “While you are sitting at the tables you can read and gain more information. Then when people come up to the tables we try to answer their questions. I like getting deep in the conversation because most students say they are pro-choice, but they don’t know why. It’s a trendy thing for kids to be pro-choice right now.” About those challenging her position she says, “Usually they’re not too confrontational, they’re just curious about the fetal models and other items on display. It makes you feel really good when you get through to someone.” In addition to the Sun Valley mall in Concord, she’s been to the Napa County Fair. Maddie plans to continue her table work this year
Age: 15 Church: Christian Community Church of San Jose School: James Lick High, San Jose Organization: Live Action As a Live Action member, Daniel and other members share the pro-life message at churches, help with pro-life video interviews at city and public events and pass out the “Advocate,” a Live Action publication. He says what he likes best about this work is that, “When people see the pictures in the ‘Advocate,’ they realize that they have been really misinformed and they see what really happens to the babies . . . that it is really killing a human being. I love that . . . informing people and sharing knowledge.” This year Daniel is beginning speaker training.
Age: 16 Parish: St. Joseph’s Basilica, Alameda School: Holy Names High, Oakland Organization: Catholic Campus Ministry Cristina is involved in campus ministry with Mass and retreats. She also helps with organizing and facilitating Confirmation small groups for all Alameda parishes. This year she says she definitely wants to “include more pro-life education in campus ministry, to present them with facts and information. I want to share about abortion in the Black community with the Black community at my school. And I hope to get my school involved with the Walk for Life in January and in making a banner.”
Age: 16 Parish: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Brentwood School: Heritage High, Brentwood Organization: Survivors John served as a group leader and event leader at the Survivors Pro Life Training and Activism program in Los Angeles this past summer. He acquired training and experience in police liaison work and other direct action such as media interviews, legal rights, die-ins, educational pickets, candlelight vigils, sidewalk counseling and praying in front of clinics. John said, “What I liked about it was being able to do a lot of activism in public and to get to defend my position as a pro-lifer.” This year John, his two sisters, Claire and Bernadette, and his local friends who all attended Survivors, want to connect with other pro-life students to do more direct action locally in the East Bay. “We would like to hold signs outside some abortion clinics and maybe even go to San Francisco to Pier 39 or Embarcadero.” When asked if he would like other students to contact him, he said, “Yes! We definitely need more people.” To contact John call (925) 949-9542. back to top 
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