TAHS Students March for Life

Sarah Hoover

Ella Pearson and Makenna Bauer participating in the prayer service in Oak Grove Cemetery.

The March for Life movement started January 22, 1974, in protest of the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion in the case of Roe v. Wade.  What started as a one time protest, the Pro-Life March became an annual movement that will continue every year in Washington D.C. until Roe v. Wade is overturned.

“I think it was important for people to understand that every life, no matter how small, matters.  I personally think that marching makes a difference for many different causes, but I also think we need to do other things along with marching to make sure our opinion is heard,” said sophomore, Makenna Bauer.

In 1987, local Saint Matthew’s Catholic church joined the movement with a march of its own.  

The Respect Life March was founded in honor of Baby Agnes Doe. Her grave is the destination of the march.  In 1987, the decomposed remains of Baby Agnes was discovered just outside of Bellwood.  Despite an exhaustive search and numerous tests, police were unable to identify the child.

The Knights of Columbus of St. Gregory’s Council in Tyrone sponsored a funeral mass and dedication in Oak Grove Cemetery for Baby Agnes.  

“When the remains of a week old baby were found near Bellwood, our Knights of Columbus agreed to adopt her remains.  I was the one who brought the idea to our council, and have taken the initiative for the past 33 years to show our love of life at all stages,” said local Pro-Life March Coordinator, Peter Kreckel.

Thirty-two years later, the March continues through the snow and cold to stand up for unborn children. 

Each year, support grows and many students from the Tyrone Area School district have decided to join the movement.  This year, an estimated 165 people from the community participated in the march, 40 of those being students from Tyrone and Bellwood.

“I think the pro-life movement is important because it is something that needs to be addressed and the march was a good way to raise awareness…I think that it can raise awareness to inspire people to make a change,” said sophomore, Alita Fernandes.

According to Kreckel, youth participation in the March for Life is critical for the future of society.

“You fertile minds need to have the seeds of respect planted in them.  Respect for self, for the unborn, for the elderly, for God’s most defenseless creatures.  You are very impressionable at your age and by seeing the sanctity of human life, you will become protectors of our society,” said Kreckel.