Gannon University’s Students for Life organization is preparing to make the trek to Washington, D.C., this weekend to participate in the world’s largest pro-life rally of the year, the March for Life.
According to its website, the theme of this year’s March for Life is “Love Saves Lives.” The march will run along Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court and Capitol Building and feature a variety of guest speakers including current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Paul Ryan and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.
Molly Ramich, a sophomore social work major and president of Students for Life, has participated in weekly meetings since discovering the club at last year’s IgKnight Club Fair and is leading the organization’s trip to Washington this year.
Ramich, who has volunteered at local pregnancy centers in her hometown of Rochester, N.Y., since she was 12 years old, has attended the March for Life for the past three years and said she’s excited to return with students from Gannon.
“I can definitely say it is an incredible experience to witness close to half a million people there — many of whom are my age — standing up for those who do not have a voice,” Ramich said. “I especially love seeing the sea of faces and banners representing the hundreds of different faiths, groups and organizations that march for the unborn.
“Although it can be a grueling trip on the bus, it is truly worth it, and I’m excited to be part of a group representing Gannon.”
Christopher Beran, a member of Campus Ministry and adviser to the Students for Life organization, said that the group of 18 students and faculty members will be traveling with Erie’s People for Life organization. Following the overnight bus ride, the group will attend Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before joining the rally at 1 p.m.
Peter Conley, a senior mathematics major, has attended the March for Life twice before and said that while he expects it to be cold, he’s looking forward to attending the rally for the first time as a Gannon student.
“Overall, I’m excited for it,” Conley said. “They usually have a lot of great speakers before the March, and it’s a very prayerful experience.”
In addition to participating in the March for Life, the Students for life organization attends the annual Celebrate Life Banquet put on by the Women’s Care Center of Erie County every fall. The facility offers ultrasounds and counseling, among other services, to pregnant women in Erie, and the banquet is their major fundraiser.
“It was a heartwarming event, as we got to see a group really trying to make a difference in the community and provide care for both the mother and the child,” Conley said. “There were a lot of people there who donated and helped to make it all happen.”
While the deadline to sign up for the March for Life trip has passed, students interested in information about future meetings and events related to Students for Life should contact Ramich at [email protected].
The organization will be participating in Erie’s own March for Life on Jan. 27, and encourages interested students and faculty to march alongside fellow members of the Gannon community.
KYLE JOSEPH
