Nine students and two chaperones, science teacher Kathleen Teel and counselor Erin Stein, flew to Washington D.C. for the annual March for All Life Jan. 23 through Jan. 25. 

The first night they attended the chaplet of divine mercy, an opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life where celebrant Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas. 

“My favorite part about the trip is getting to witness the vast number of people who believe in the pro-life or anti-abortion cause,” junior Olivia Overlease said. ”however you want to put it, but also realizing that for every one person at the March there are so many more at home. I’m extremely excited to return and experience the March again because it is so powerful and moving and I think everyone who feels strongly about this issue should attend at least at some point in their lives.” 

They visited a Pre-Rally Concert in the National Mall Jan. 24 before marching in the March for Life Rally located at 12th street, and walked up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court and Capitol Building. Outside the U.S. Supreme court, Silent No More Testimonies were held. 

“Being the president of the Alive for All Life club has shown me that the pro-life movement is strong in our community,” sophomore Lydia Poe said. “I love going to the march because I’m there to stand up for the unborn.”

The March took place on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the case that legalized abortion in the United States. This is only the second year Sion has led this field trip, counting as an unexcused absence. Students will also get to sight-see memorials and museums of their choice. Junior Grace Hill was assigned as one of the leaders to help navigate and plan the tour activities they do.

“I’m really excited to experience D.C. because I’ve never been and because we will be with thousands of people and get to hear speakers about pro-life,” Hill said. 

This year only sophomores and juniors could attend due to the conflict with senior kairos and applications for sophomores and up. They also be teamed up with St. Teresa’s Academy and Rockhurst High School students to plan things together. 

“It was just a good experience, one of those things you should at least do once. I think even if you’re not going to the march, we’re seeing all that stuff,” Teel said. “There’s just so much history and it makes you think.”