NRL News
Page 11
September 2009
Volume 36
Issue 9

Teenagers—A Beacon of Hope in Turbulent Times
By Joleigh Little, Director, Wisconsin Teens for Life

I know, I know—those of you who had teenagers at home over the long summer months just read that title and spit out your coffee. Sure, they have their moments, it’s true, but they also offer some of the greatest hope the right-to-life movement has seen.

It’s no secret to anyone who reads NRL News that we are facing trying times. In fact, due to the Obama Abortion Agenda we are encountering more challenges on more fronts than ever before in the history of our cause. Unborn children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and the medically vulnerable are all being targeted and they need champions like never before.

Enter the next generation of right-to-life advocates. I truly wish that I could grant every adult in this movement a free pass to look in on the summer camps being conducted around the country to train these amazing young people. There is nothing quite so fabulous as spending time surrounded by teenagers and college students who get excited at the prospect of learning about euthanasia, stem cells, and how to debate abortion with their peers.

Since I don’t have the power to alter the time-space continuum and physically grant you an audience with these kids, I’ll do the next best thing ... introduce you to a few of those who give up a week of their summer to learn how to advocate for life.

Nineteen-year-old Lydia and 15-year-old Havilah Benton are from North Dakota. The middle children of 13, both girls are passionate about the cause of life. This especially rocks my world because 23 years ago their mom, Wendy, was my local chapter chair for Wisconsin Right to Life (WRTL). Wendy took the time to educate, mentor, and befriend the gawky, awkward, bespectacled little nerd who grew up to write this article. She showed me that there was nothing I could ever do with my life that would matter more than speaking up for the defenseless.

She obviously did her job well, as more than two decades later I’m still living the lessons she taught—lessons she continues to teach her own children. Her daughters have inherited her passion for defending the innocent and traveled from North Dakota to Wisconsin to immerse themselves in a week of intense pro-life education so they could return and impact their own community and state. Havilah said, “Teens for Life camp has not only confirmed my stance on the sanctity of human life, but has instilled in me a knowledge of pro-life history and the outstanding people involved in protecting life through the centuries. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this movement!”

Twelve-year-old Amber Cannalte is the oldest of six adopted siblings whose parents Jamie and Maureen firmly believe that every child is unique and precious, deserving of life, love, and a future. Mature for her years, Amber is articulate, helpful, and very concerned about the impact abortion is having on her generation. She felt that her week at camp has equipped her to join the fight for life. “I learned a LOT about how to debate, how abortions are done, what euthanasia really is, and how to make a difference in this dark world. I want to be a light in this world. I hope to get other kids involved to change some laws.”

Seventeen-year-old Vince Racanelli focuses on fighting the injustices of abortion and euthanasia. He is a little less prone to emotion than some of the girls with whom he works, but has been involved since the age of 13. In fact, when questioned as to why he is involved in the cause his initial response, in all seriousness, was “the other side is illogical.” (Yes, sometimes we do call him Mr. Spock.) Vince is a student of history who believes that we have a lot to learn from the atrocities committed during World War II. “We have seen this [killing the innocent] before and we can’t continue to let it happen here.”

Fifteen-year-old Hannah Szabo came to camp after learning about it at a WRTL booth at a music festival. After a week of learning about the issues, she said, “I am SO glad to have been at camp too, it was an amazing time. I’m ready to start a group!!” (No problem, Hannah, we’re ready to HELP you start a group!)

These kids are just a few examples of the young people who will one day lead our movement and who are already making a huge difference for the cause of life in their schools and communities. What they learn at camps today will enable them to save lives tomorrow, next week, next month, and for years to come. They are bright, they are eager, they are inspiring, and they are adorable. And they serve as beacons of hope to the rank and file right-to-lifers who have worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of the voiceless. From what we’ve seen at camps this summer, the future couldn’t be in better hands.