Reflections of a College Kid

By Derrick Jones

James Balch, the 6-year-old son of NRLC's own Burke and Mary Balch, was a ball of energy at the NRLC Youth Outreach (YO!) convention's closing dance. (I think he succeeded in dancing with almost every girl on the dance floor.)

For the past several years, James, his sister Bridget, and their two cousins have attended the closing youth dance. According to their proud mom, it's one of the highlights of their year.

As I sat in my chair watching James and Bridget tear up the dance floor along with the approximately 100 teens and college students who attended the annual Youth Outreach convention in Charlotte, N.C., I reflected on the jam-packed June 28-30 convention that had just concluded.
My first (painful) thought: take heed and listen when NRLC's convention director, Jacki Ragan, says never ever break in a new pair of shoes at a convention. I'll learn one of these years.

Second, and most importantly, I was struck by the fact that Bridget and James represent a third, if not a fourth, generation of pro-lifers - - a generation that will be waiting in the wings, prepared to take up the battle against anti-life forces, when my generation passes the torch years from now.

For all those dancing teens, the NRLC YO! convention provided a place to learn - - not only from leading pro-life experts about the fundamental issues that shape the pro-life movement, but also from each other. Attendees were able to share their experiences with their peers and talk about what works and what doesn't.

This year's convention speakers reinforced the most fundamental core of the pro-life movement: educating ourselves and the public on the truth about abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia is THE key to changing the pervading "culture of death."

The convention had it all. From "basic" workshops covering abortion and fetal development for newcomers to more advanced workshops for veteran teens, the YO! convention sent attendees home educated and ready to spread the pro-life truth.

One convention favorite, Dr. Vera Bailey, who operates a crisis pregnancy center in Hilton Head, South Carolina, discussed the abortion basics, addressing the issues teens and college students must cope with when their peers are facing a crisis pregnancy. Olivia Gans, another perennial favorite, addressed the pitfalls of rhetoric in the abortion debate and how to answer pro-abortion questions with life-affirming pro-life answers.

By far the most popular session (which found adults sneaking out of regular NRLC 2001 workshops and into the youth session) was Priest for Life founder Fr. Frank Pavone's discussion of peer counseling in a crisis pregnancy situation. In his own unique, charismatic way, Fr. Pavone emphasized the importance of compassion in helping peers find loving alternatives that help both mother and child. Fr. Pavone also encouraged everyone to never waver in his or her strong pro-life commitment and serve as positive, compassionate witnesses of the pro-life movement to others in their community who may disagree.

Three days full of facts, figures, and statistics can be a lot, even for the most seasoned pro-lifer. With that in mind, the YO! convention built in some uplifting and fun sessions to motivate everyone. One of the most notable of these sessions featured Jeff Cavins, host of EWTN's popular teen-oriented program Life on the Rock, who talked with attendees and encouraged them to steadfastly continue their pro-life work.

By far the most inspirational highlight of the convention for so many of us came when Molly Kelly, who has traveled the country far and wide and spoken to hundreds of thousands of teens on abortion and the importance of abstinence and abstinence education, popped in on a Youth Outreach general session to say a few words.

Molly, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in January and a subsequent loss of short-term memory, stepped up to the podium and, in usual Molly-esque fashion, instantly took command of the room. Her brief remarks reminded all of us who were in the room that we have truth on our side and that we will win this battle and restore legal protection to unborn children.

As exhausting as a convention is for everyone involved - - staff and attendees alike - - I couldn't help but leave with a sense of rejuvenation. For me, the convention is, and has always been a place to regroup, re-energize, and prepare for the challenges ahead. This year was no different.

I am always grateful to those young men and women who come to the convention and share with me their thoughts, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm for changing the hearts and minds of their peers. The energy and excitement that this year's YO! attendees brought with them to Charlotte stuck with me and sent me back to Washington ready to tackle everything that faced me Monday morning - - including my overflowing mailbox.

A final thought: those of us who grew up in the Teens for Life ranks have always said that we were the next generation of pro- life leaders, preparing to take the movement into the new millennium and beyond. Now, we are becoming those leaders and kids like the Balches have the title of "the next generation." Indeed, the pro-life movement is in good hands.

Derrick Jones is NRLC administrative assistant, advertising coordinator, and youth outreach coordinator. He is also a senior at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. For more information on how high school and college students can become more involved in the pro-life movement, or to contact Derrick, call (202) 626-8800, ext 153 or e-mail: jonesy77@aol.com.