Recommend This StoryMarch for Life
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Roman Catholic liberal arts school chosen to lead event in Washington
By Kim Walter -- kwalter@nvdaily.com
FRONT ROYAL -- Christendom College, a Roman Catholic liberal arts school overlooking the Shenandoah River, has been chosen to lead the March for Life in Washington on Monday.
Students and faculty at the school have attended the event every year since its founding in 1977, and this will be its fourth time leading the march.
The school has always closed on the day of the march so students and faculty can participate and promote a pro-life agenda.
Christendom President Timothy O'Donnell has gone to the march every year since 1985, when he joined the school.
"I'm surprised, but really happy," he said about the college again being selected to be at the head of the march.
He said that, in addition to supporting the pro-life movement, the day is good chance for students to take advantage of being in Washington.
About 400 students from across the nation and abroad attend Christendom.
"It will probably be even more interesting this year, as it's election year. Maybe we'll see some congressmen or Republican candidates," O'Donnell said.
He added that he's often surprised by the "youthful turnout" at the annual march, which according to the March for Life website draws almost 200,000 people.
"It's great because it strengthens [students'] confidence in that they aren't alone in the movement," he said. Between the Front Royal campus, Christendom's graduate school in Alexandria, and alumni and family, O'Donnell said that the college's representation at the march can swell to about 1,000 people.
"It's especially nice for the freshman students. They get a real sense of democracy at work," he said.
Kelsey McCrum, a senior and the president of Students for Life at the school, is preparing for her second time leading her fellow students at the march.
"It's definitely an honor," said McCrum, who also led Christendom's contingent in 2009.
After the march, students often return to school with "more vigor and energy to do our individual tasks" for the pro-life movement, she said.
"To be great, we don't have to be huge in numbers," she added, in reference to the small college being recognized for its pro-life activity.
O'Donnell said that though the topic of the march is serious and "dark," the event itself is joyful.
Participants will board eight buses for Washington, and will bring along hundreds of signs and one large banner.
"This is something we're very passionate about," said Caitlin Bowers, a Christendom alumnae and current director of student activities.
Bowers is proud that Christendom serves as an example to other organizations that oppose abortion.
"We don't do it out of anger," she said. "We march 100 percent out of love."
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I didn't realize that the students were allowed to venture out into The Real World...