The excitement didn’t end after the March for Life! On Friday, February 22, twelve girls from the Respect for Life Club attended the Salesian Pro-Life Youth Rally. Pro-life representatives from schools throughout Hillsborough County congregated at Mary Help of Christians Center for this day-long event. Father Steve Ryan S.D.B. served as the coordinator for the rally.

Mrs. Mickey Stagg, Spanish teacher and one of the moderators of the Academy group, was thrilled when the Salesians of Don Bosco and The Tampa Bay Pro-Life Youth Rally presented certificates of recognition to senior Nora Johnson and sophomore Konner Brewer.  “I am very proud of these two young women for their outstanding efforts in helping to stand up for life and the values of the gospel of life.”

The day started out with singing and dancing to energize the students. As both a speaker and musician, youth minister Tom Lelyo  led the morning session, engaging everyone in his stories and conveying the importance of respecting life and finding a personal call to holiness.

The afternoon involved a Q & A session as well as several other speakers who delved into more specialized subjects such as sidewalk counseling at abortion mills and working at women’s clinics. The day closed with a moving and motivating Mass celebrated by Father Steve.

Other representatives of Academy were sophomores Olivia Mahoney, Cara Dawson, Sophia Guerra; freshman Molly Johnson; juniors Sarah Elliott, Allie Reichert, Grace Withers, Elise Heiman, Madeline Cahill, Devin Lewis; senior Arlyn Barlaan and Assistant Campus Minister Mrs. Katie Holland.