Roe v. Wade

The Survivors Remember

By Derrick Jones and April Holley

Teens and college students recently demonstrated the vital role they play in the pro-life movement despite being the target of misinformation and lies disseminated by the media, schools, and many prominent adults. In spring 1998, National Teens for Life (NTL) and National College Students for Life (NCSL) joined forces to further mobilize young people around the country to speak for life. Under the banner of the NRLC Youth Outreach Program, NTL and NCSL are working to unite pro-life teens and college students - - the survivors of Roe v. Wade - - to take a stand against the tragic decision that has led to the death of so many of their peers.

The energy and commitment of pro-life youth was evident this year as more than 120 teens and college students from around the country gathered in Orlando, Florida, in June for the first annual YO! Convention, held in conjunction with NRLC '98.

Designed to be a "hands-on" experience for participants, the YO! Convention focused on how teens and college students can impact their communities with the pro-life message.

NRLC President Dr. Wanda Franz helped kick off the YO! Convention at the "Opening Sha-Bang."

"You have a lot to offer the pro-life movement," she said. "You are on the front lines of this battle. Not only are you the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today. You are the ones sharing the truth about abortion with your peers, and you are making a difference."

Other speakers at the YO! Convention including perennial favorites Olivia Gans; Eileen Roberts, founder of Mothers Against Minors' Abortions (MAMA); Dr. Vera Cole Bailey; and Karen Cross, covered topics ranging from the basics about abortion and euthanasia to starting a teens for life and campus pro-life group to post-abortion syndrome.

Participants had the opportunity to go "one-on-one" with the leaders of the pro-life movement and to share their experiences with other students from around the country to see what works and what doesn't. One teen workshop session featured the board of North Dakota Teens for Life (NDTFL), one of the oldest and strongest state teens for life groups. The NDTFL board talked about past activities that have worked at not only spreading the pro-life message, but that help to bring more members to the youth movement.

In addition, both NTL and NCSL elected new leadership for the upcoming year. Joe Biffar of Ft. Myers, Florida, was elected president of National Teens for Life and Holly Miller, a junior at Seattle University in Washington state, was elected president of National College Students for Life. (See the accompanying article on page 18 that introduces the new NTL Board.)

The YO! Convention came to a close Saturday night with the traditional pizza banquet and dance.

Participants left Orlando with the tools needed to go back to their communities and make an impact and help save the next generation from the death that so many of their peers faced.

Derrick Jones and April Holley are NRLC Youth Outreach Program co-coordinators.