Sheboygan Student Spearheads Pro-Life Club

Straight-A student, varsity cheerleader, cellist, pro-life activist. Quite a list of interests for 14-year-old Zoe Macknick, a freshman at Sheboygan South High School.

This past summer, Zoe and six of her friends began a pro-life club. Their goal was to be examples to their peers that there are positive alternatives to teen sex and abortion. Not all members of the group are Catholic, but each young woman is doing her best to live her respective faith.

Zoe, a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Sheboygan, admits that there was no turning point in her becoming active in the pro-life cause.

"This is an issue my whole family talks about," said Zoe. "I talk with my friends about it and forming this club just seemed like a natural way to express our commitment to being pro-life."

Being pro-life and being vocal about it certainly go against the stereotype of today's teens, but Zoe and her friends aren't affected by peer pressure.

"A lot of people think all teenagers are disrespectful," remarked Zoe. "I think pro-life teens are strong and our viewpoint gives us a positive image because we are standing up for what we believe."

The transition from middle school to high school this fall went fairly smoothly. Some of her schoolmates tested her, but that did not dissuade Zoe.

"Freshmen have a tough road in the first place," admitted Zoe. "Some people have challenged me, but I take that as an opportunity to really reflect on what I believe and why I believe it. That has made me even more dedicated to being pro-life."

Zoe aspires to be a teacher after college because she enjoys working with children and helping others learn. She strives to incorporate her pro-life viewpoint into her school work and is always trying to learn more by talking with her family, reading and listening to the news, and tuning in to Catholic radio.

She also has attended pro-life rallies since the Macknick family moved to Wisconsin from New Mexico in 1998. Zoe, who is usually one of the youngest attendees, enjoys learning from presenters who shed new light on other aspects of the pro-life issue.

"I do believe Zoe is a role model," says her mother, Betty. "She is paving the way for other young people, including her three younger siblings to be strong, to be vocal, and to express their faith without being ridiculed. There are other kids who may feel the same way, but are afraid to speak up or speak out because it's not a popular viewpoint."

"I'm not concerned about winning a popularity contest," said Zoe. "I am just a Catholic schoolgirl who is trying to live my faith every day."

Monday, January 7, 2008