Sixteen students from Academy traveled to Washington, DC,  to participate in the March for Life on January 24. This annual event occurs for only one day, but it is a three-day trip commitment for Academy  girls.

This year’s march group included freshman Molly Johnson, Sophomores Cara Dawson, Olivia Mahoney, Kiersten Mayor, Julia Metzger, Juniors Maddie Cahill, Devin Lewis, Natalie Navarro, Samantha Vargas, Grace Withers, Seniors Arlyn Barlaan Anna Cevallos, Caroline Dolan, Meghan Gonzalez, Emily Jeffrey, and President Nora Johnson.

The girls met at Tampa International Airport at 3:45 after school on Thursday to catch their flight. After arriving in D.C., the group took a shuttle to the Fairfield Hotel in Chinatown.

On Thursday, January 24, the pro-life group took the Metro to the Catholic University of America and walked into the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to attend a Mass dedicated to those attending the march the next day. The Mass began with a forty-five minute procession that included many of the nation’s deacons, priests, and bishops fighting for the cause.

During the homily, Cardinal Sean O’Malley spoke of advocating life and dignity of a human person, even if the person is just a small fetus. At around nine o’clock, Mass ended,  and all 20,000 people in attendance flooded back to their hotels to prepare for the day ahead of them.

Academy girls commenced the next day by going to a local restaurant, and walking in the twenty-degree weather down Seventh Avenue towards Pennsylvania Avenue, the starting point of for the march. They were joined by thousands of people from around the world. Once there, they began the 40th Annual March for Life. The girls headed towards the Capitol Building and the Supreme Court building.

Junior Natalie Navarro thought the atmosphere around them was hectic, but amazing. “I loved the march! It was a great way for me to bond with my Academy sisters.”

The Tampa girls were also surprised when it started snowing towards the end of the march. Many were jumping and staring in awe at the snowflakes falling on the ground. After taking pictures and participating in chants, the Academy girls walked to Union Station and returned to their hotel to watch the impactful documentary Life After Abortion. It reminded them of what what they stood for and why they were there.

Saturday, January 26, was their last day in the capital. A group of girls traveled to the National Mall and enjoyed the Hirshhorn Museum and the National History Museum. Other girls decided to stay in Chinatown and shop at the local stores, while some decided to stay in the hotel and catch up on some well needed sleep. They met back in the lobby of the Fairfield Hotel at one in the afternoon, checked out, and headed to Reagan National Airport.

After their remarkable experience in the nation’s capital, most girls will definitely return next year to fight for the rights of those that never got the chance.