With 50 members ranging from ninth to twelfth grade who aspire to make a difference, Students for Human Life Club meets every other week to discuss pro-life matters reflecting the dignity of the human person. This group of students not only takes time to learn about these issues, but also acts upon their call to serve by volunteering at organizations that promote their causes.
As a Catholic high school, BSM has adopted the Catholic Social Teachings as an important part of its foundations. These teachings are also emulated in the purpose of Students for Human Life. “The goal is to help students who are in the club to develop their understanding of the dignity of the human person, to recognize opportunities, to promote the dignity of the human person, and to defend human life,” said Mr. Zach Zeckser, Students for Human Life advisor.
Meeting every other week, students discuss topics such as the U.S. Army School of the Americas, abortion, war, and embryonic stem cell research. “We cover such a broad spectrum of issues, but the students do a good job with it. I hope that the students will pick an issue, stay in touch with justice, and feel really empowered to act on it,” said Mr. Zeckser.
In addition to learning, the group aims to put their enthusiasm for the cause into action within the St. Louis Park area. By doing so their enthusiasm is carried further and their mission grows stronger. “Volunteerism is a big part around abortion, [and] about once a month we go to the North Side Life Care Center and give our time to that issue,” said Mr. Zeckser.
The meetings center around issues on which political parties and religion do not agree, and encourage students to take a stand. “Students will come and be able to recognize what the Church teaches on an issue, recognize the significance of [the issue], and the value of taking action on it––and hopefully they would feel an impetus to act,” said Mr. Zeckser.
As part of their new system, the group has developed different ways of presenting up-to-date information on their key issues. “The structure changed this year; we have a group of 6 student commissioners each with a different area on which they are trying to focus. We always start with prayer, and oftentimes we have presentations and speakers,” said Mr. Zeckser.
The hope for students involved is to grasp understanding about issues that might set them apart from other students in the future. “I hope [the] students gain perspective by embracing the Catholic Church’s teaching on the dignity of the person. I would hope that students continue to step back and look at an issue through a more critical lens,” said Mr. Zeckser.
Reaching out to the BSM community, Students For Human Life hopes to provoke the desire within students to act on their values as a Child of God. “We want to expand more and be better known. We want to involve more underclassmen and keep getting better at what we do,” said Mr. Zeckser.
