Students disco i;>er life is vriceless ;) Students for JJfe seek to teach people the importance of life "We, the members of Students for Life, uphold the fact that life is valuable and that life begins at conception. There is no human life not worth living or that is not precious. Our purpose is to strive to educate the college community about how priceless life is and how to seek alternative solutions to abortion. We, the members of Students for Life, want to stand up for our rights and the rights of the unborn child." This statement from the constitution of Students for Life, provides the framework for Harding's "by the students, for the students pro-life organization." The organization, in its second year ofexistence, was conceived by Elizabeth Cathy, a 1996 graduate. In January, 1995, Cathy attended the pro-life march in Little Rock that is held every year on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision where reporters interviewed students about the pro-life groups on their campuses. Cathy realized that Harding, of all schools, should have a pro-life organization, so she set about to start one. Statistically, White County has the third highest abortion rate in Arkansas. "These rates are in direct correlation with college campuses, with Fayetteville rated number one in the state," Dr. Bob Reely, the Students for Life faculty adviser, said. White County averages 140 to 150 abortions a year, even without h aving a clinic nearby. Students for Life had two goals for their organization. The first was to educate individuals about the different abortion techniques that are used. This organizational goal was based on the belief that, if people knew what was actually taking place during an abortion, theywould no longer consider it an option. The second goal was to serve people in crisis pregnancy situations. This goal was intended not necessarily for women, but also for men, who are often the quickest to call for an abortion. Open to any student seeking membership, Students for Life focused a lot of attention on the spiritual aspect of their activities. "There are many life decisions that take place well before the end result of the abortion. If individuals would choose to live a life of purity, then abortion wouldn't be necessary," Reely said. So, the organization made it their ministry to educate people about how to stop the chain reaction that could lead to an unwanted pregnancy, and if pregnancy occurs, what options they have other than abortion. "By using our Christian values to approach these issues, we hope to have saved a couple of babies this year. When you abort one, it's not just the death of one child [you aborted], but their children and their children's children," Reely said. - Christina Weber Student Speech and Hearing Association. First row: Heather Ray, Jenny Roberson, Mi chelle Goff, Kenna Tipton, Kathy Genton, Christy Hutson. S econd row: Karen Crabb (faculty sponsor), Celeste Walker, Leslie Roberson, Amy May, Karla Medellin, Andrea Alderman, Angie Sickbert. Third row: J ennifer Strickland, R egina Huddleston, Sonya Ashbaucher, Darla Knox, Caleb Dixon, Emily Kulild. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Student Nurses Association. Left to right: Darlene Hampton, Michael Bass, Lori Ellis, Teresa Ferricher, Tamara McKee. Photo by Jeff Montgomery. Student Speech and Hearing Association and Student Nurses Association 205
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