Blog # 5: Upcoming Events

     I have been trying to get more involved in pro-life activities but it has been a bit hard. So far most of the work that I have done has been on my own account. Although it is good for me to do my own activities I feel that it is also important for me to be involved with other professional pro-life organizations. I want to be recognized by other organizations to gain connections. As a result I have two upcoming events: the March for Life and the UCLA Pro-Life Leadership Training.

     

      The March for Life will be taking place on March 15th at Encino, CA. I had heard of this event years ago and I had always wanted to go. The main purpose of the event is to spread awareness about abortion in the community. I could either be a walker or I could even volunteer to help out in the event. I would love to attend but it will be quite tricky considering that neither of my parents have the physical health to attend an event that long. I will try to attend if I find someone else to accompany me and if not I will attend the UCLA Pro-Life Leadership Training. 

     If I am unable to attend the March for Life I will be attending another pro-life event on March 15th. I will try to attend the Pro-Life Leadership Program at UCLA. This event is something that I think will benefit the group that I am trying to form because it will teach the other leaders and I what is necessary to make the group Students for Life successful. It is most likely that I will be attending this event. However, I better figure it out soon so that I can sign up for the event that I want to attend. 

Blog # 4: Paperwork for Savanna Students for Life

     I have actually been very busy the past few weeks so I had procrastinated on getting the paperwork for the Pro-Life club at school. The paperwork is very simple and basic but there was still some minor details that I had to figure out. I was finally able to get the signature from the future club adviser just last week. The next step is to type the club purpose so that I can turn in the paperwork. I plan to have the paperwork turned in no later than March 12th because I want to have the club running as soon as possible. I'm still not sure how hard it is going to be to make the club official. For the application I need to have the Principal's signature as well as the Assistant Superintendent's signature. After that I am not sure exactly who has to make the group official. In other words I still have a lot of work to do.

     To promote the group my next step is to create a Facebook group to spread the word out about the group. My friend will actually be the one primarily in charge for the media for the group since she is a passionate pro-life leader as well. I am hoping to use the power of other social medias as well to help spread the word. I will be contacting Students for Life of America to tell them about our progress and to ask for help to start the group. I am really optimistic about the pro-life group but at the same time I am afraid that the group will not be a success. All I can do is pray for the best. 

Purpose of Savanna Students for Life:

"Members of Students for Life will work to save the lives of those threatened by abortion. The respect for life will be promoted and encouraged among those who share the same life concerns."

Blog # 3: Students for Life

     I had been thinking for quite some time to create a pro-life group at my school. I got even more inspired at the Youth Rally for Life and I decided that I was going to make one. However, the fire of the rally went away and I forgot about my idea. The idea returned to me when I received an email to participate in the Pro-life Chalk Day. The Pro-Life Chalk Day did not inspire me to start the group but rather it led me to a link to Students for Life. 

     Students for Life inspired me to begin the group because they offer a lot of help to students that are pro-life. I was very excited because they could support students with things like workshops, flyers, guest speakers, and even financial assistance. The main idea I liked them was because they would give me a more direct path to follow and a format for the group I was to create. I was so excited and after doing my research I was sure that I had to make this happen. I messaged my two closest friend and told them what I was planning to do and they completely gave me their support. Then I realized that this was a really good idea in my head but in reality it would be a lot more work than what I thought. 

     I knew that the main obstacle would be to overcome the controversy faced by the school. I knew of a teacher that was in charge of a club called Rebels for Christ and I decided that he would be a good choice as an adviser. I needed to make sure that I had some support from a teacher in order to make it happen. I had procrastinated a while and I finally made the decision to go talk to him on Thursday because he was having his regular Rebels for Christ meetings. I received so much support and positivism from him that it really made my day. He gave me absolute support and said it would be wonderful to have a pro-life group on campus. After school my friend even went to pick up the necessary paperwork. 

     The next step is for me to contact Students for Life and see if I can gain their support to make our group official. After that I need to begin spreading the word around campus to encourage people to join the group. Once that is settled I will get the signatures and turn in the paperwork to start the club. I have a lot of work ahead of me to make this work. 

Blog # 2: National Pro-Life Chalk Day

     On February 6, 2014 National Pro-Life Chalk Day impacted many sidewalks with their pro-life messages. I learned about this event through an email and I decided that it was easy, cheap, and something that could really have an impact. I go to a public school in which the worldly desires overcome those of morality at times. I knew that leaving a pro-life message on the floor would at the very least awake the issue of abortion in some students' lives even if just for a second. I first made sure to research my legal rights in order to avoid an unpleasant confrontation with the school.
     I gathered my chalk and my friends and headed out to my high school on February 5th at around 5:30 p.m. to begin chalking. It was a pretty thrilling and exciting experience to feel like we were doing something different for a change. It felt good to stand up for what I believed in. We avoided chalking on the campus but we made sure to write on the most heavily walked sidewalks around school. We did a lot of small drawings but we also did some big writings. We all left feeling pretty accomplished that night at about 7:30 p.m.
     I could barely sleep that night imagining what would happen the next day! Overall we did not hear any comments about what was written on the sidewalk. I had honestly expected to hear a lot more talk about the chalk on the campus but I heard none. Then the unthinkable happened; it started to sprinkle and later to rain. It hardly rains in Anaheim and I was honestly disappointed to have the rain wash away our work. My dad brought up my spirits by telling me, "Even if you impacted one person, it was all worth it." He was right. I know that we made a difference and in the end that's all that matters.The school better prepare themselves to see our writing soon!

Blog # 1: Youth Rally, 9 Days for Life, and Diaper Drive

     My pro-life activism has increased ever since I attended the Youth Rally for Life on January 18th. I would like to start off by saying that the Youth Rally for Life was a wonderful experience. There I learned the importance of activism. Kristina Garza, director of Campus Outreach, challenged us by telling us that it was not enough to say that your pro-life. I was able to gain a lot of information as well as get in contact with a lot of Pro-Life organizations. I also got the chance to listen to the beautiful voices of the Jacob and Matthew Band live for the second time! I was glad to see a good amount of youth from my church St. Justin Martyr attend. I know they enjoyed it as much as I did!

     The same day that I attended the Youth Rally for Life I also began the prayer vigil 9 Days for Life. 9 Days for Life was a prayer vigil from January 18th-26th. The vigil could be done via email, internet, or an app. I downloaded the app and each day came with a dedication, prayer, reflection, and an act of reparation. I particularly liked the act of reparation because each day it challenged me to do something new. For example, some of the things I chose to do were learn about a 20th century saint, pray a rosary, clean a room without being told, or say a special prayer. It felt good to do prayer for a change as it is crucial to the pro-life movement. 

     In an effort to challenge the youth at my church I asked a very special favor of them. I am part of a leadership core team at my church which is called Anchor. During our weekly Tuesday meeting I asked each to bring a pack of diapers. I could tell by their faces that it was strange so I quickly explained that it was to help support the Pro-Life Clinics. Pro-Life Clinics were created to help out women whom had once considered abortion. Simple things like diapers are necessities for women with newborn babies. Providing diapers can aid them by reducing the cost of diapers. I am hoping to have a van full of diapers to drive to the clinic soon!

Week 9: Almost There, Youth Rally for Life

     The day is almost here! I have been waiting for the Youth Rally for Life for months and months! I know that the Right to Life League of Southern California has done a lot to prepare for this event and I give them my deepest thanks. The speakers, the music, the testimonies, and the youth are all expected to be wonderful and I know that they will exceed my expectations. However, I have learned from past experiences that nothing is ever what it seems. Every single one of the religious conventions and retreats I have attended have turned out to be completely different than what I expected. Therefore I expect the same results from the Youth Rally for Life. 

     Part of me can't help to feel anxious and a bit nervous. Nervous because I'm not sure what will happen or exactly how things will turn out to be. Anxious because I have been waiting for this event for a long time. However, almost everything is ready for this Saturday. I have the youth representing St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, transportation, registration, and video camera ready. All that is left is the last few applications and an SD Card for my video camera. I am so ready for whatever awaits me at this encounter and may it help in my fight against abortion!

Week 8: The Right to Life League of Southern California

      The Right to Life League of Southern California is an education and service organization dedicated to the support and protection of unborn life. Founded in 1967 they have done a marvelous at dedicating their time and efforts at defending life. Their purpose is to support women with unplanned pregnancies but rather than doing it through abortion they do it be establishing medical clinics, pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and educative services for teens.  I truly admire the work that they have done.

     I had not heard of them until a couple months ago when the Youth Minister at my church St. Justin Martyr handed me a flyer she had received. She knew what my mission in life was and she was willing to support me in whatever I needed. She left me in charge of organizing for our church's youth group to attend the Youth  Rally for Life on January 18, 2014. I was thrilled to be able to organize this. The date is approaching and I need to begin organizing and promoting for this great event.

     The Youth Rally for Life is a great opportunity for anyone interested in being pro-life or learning more. There will be a lot of fun events like speakers, music, testimonies, and so much more. I really hope many people will attend. I can't wait!