By: Lynsey, Amelia, and Destiny

The March for Life is an event where each year people across the world march in Washington D.C on the protection of the unborn and the living. The March for Life typically occurs towards the end of January. This year the March for Life will take place on January 24, 2025. Throughout the week before students leave for the march, Chapelle students organize Pro-Life Week to get students excited for the march and to promote the cause. While putting their focus on the excitement of going on the march, students struggle with figuring out the essential items to pack. As a result, they tend to pack too little or too much. In this article, students, teachers, and faculty give helpful information and share things they have packed too much or did not bring enough. 

In getting sidetracked on physically packing their suitcase, students forget the need to spiritually prepare themselves. The March gives students ample opportunities to grow their faith and talk with those around them who have the same beliefs. The campus minister at Archbishop Chapelle High School Ms. Lannan talks about the best way to prepare for the March for Life is “Prayer! ” She even goes on to explain the opportunities given for students to grow their faith and prayer life by saying, “We even sent all the students a Litany from John Paul II that ends on the day we leave. Praying this will help students be open to whatever the Lord wants to do on this trip!” She also continues to say, “ Students experience more than just the march; they also attend mass, listen to talks, and even enjoy a mini retreat while on the March for Life.” From the information given by Ms. Lannan, students are exposed to many good opportunities that will allow them to grow in their faith and experience God in so many different ways.

Lastly, we were given beneficial information, in interviews with teachers, students, and faculty about their personal experiences from the march and helpful information with packing. First, we asked, “ How has the march impacted you?” Mrs. Susie Vollenwieder, senior class religion teacher, responded by saying, “ Being with like minded people who have the same morals and values as you and seeing the thousands of people that are for life is something I will never forget.” Secondly, when asked, “What is something students forget to pack or that you forgot to pack?” Rachelann Potter, a senior class member, responded by saying, “ On my trip I forgot to pack an extra hat.” Lastly, we asked Mrs. Stacy Woodward, Director of Student Activities, “What is one thing you have overpacked or that students have overpacked?” She responded by saying, “I have noticed students tend to overpack on clothes to be outside but forget to bring clothes to be inside because you are typically not outside for too long.” Thanks to students, teachers, and faculty for sharing their experiences, the students attending the March for Life this year know how to spiritually and physically prepare themselves.