Nearly 90 Hillsdale College students heard President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance speak at the 52nd March for Life in Washington, D.C., Friday, Jan. 24. 

“There were some big names speaking this year, which was exciting,” Vice President of Hillsdale College for Life and senior Maddie Hornell said.

She said she most appreciated the speakers who boldly proclaimed their Christian faith to thousands of people. Hornell specifically mentioned OB-GYN Catherine Wheeler and abortion survivor Josiah Presley.

“They were so unabashedly Christian — of course, that’s where we get the value of life,” Hornell said. “Hearing someone speak to thousands of people, not only about life, but about why we care about it — as rooted in our faith — was so encouraging. To be in the capital city and hear God’s name resounding through the streets was so profound.” 

Hornell said it was encouraging to see solidarity nationwide after the overturn of Roe v. Wade — the supreme court decision that legalized abortion in 1973. Despite the reversal of this decision in 2022, Hornell said the fight to defend life is as important as ever. 

“The local and statewide ‘boots on the ground’ work is so important,” Hornell said. 

Freshman Maddie Hanson said she has been involved in pro-life work in her hometown but this was her first time attending the National March for Life. She said one of her favorite speakers was Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer who lost her left arm from a shark attack at 13 years old but continued to compete. 

“She talked about how hard it is to have kids for anyone, and how important it is in crisis pregnancies to consider the mom and encourage her and help her in caring for her new child,” Hanson said.

Hanson said she was surprised by how many young students and college groups were present at the march. 

The students traveled to D.C. overnight Thursday and spent Friday night in a hotel, The Collegian reported last week. With this schedule, students had free time Friday evening and Saturday to explore D.C. 

Hanson said she visited the National Gallery of Art and connected with some friends currently living in D.C. for the Washington Hillsdale Internship Program.

Hornell also said she connected with some Hillsdale alumni and friends while in the area. Afterward, she said she visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Senior Hannah Arends, who lived in D.C. on WHIP in spring of 2024, said it was fun to return to the area and meet up with friends and co-workers. After spending Friday in the city, Arends said she visited the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Saturday. The zoo had reopened the panda exhibit the day prior. 

“A ton of people flocked to the zoo to see them,” Arends said. “I love being a part of events where everyone comes together and is excited about the same thing. D.C. is the best place to find random fun experiences like welcoming pandas back to the U.S.”

At the march, Arends said she met President of Live Action Lila Rose. 

“While marching, I got to meet Lila Rose, which was so exciting for me as someone who has looked up to her as a role model of a strong but compassionate woman leading the pro-life movement,” Arends said. “But what was more special than meeting her myself was seeing three young girls filled with joy because they saw Lila, and then they ran up to her to meet her smiling ear to ear.” 

Arends said she has been to the march a number of times and was encouraged to see all the people and the speakers who came.

“The energy of young people excited about the pro-life movement and excited about seeing their role models in the movement gives me great hope for the continued success of the pro-life cause,” Arends said.

Junior and HCFL Social Media and Graphic Design chair Meredith Vanderweide said this year was her third time attending the march and she appreciated the presence of pro-life political and religious leaders at the rally.

“As a Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod Lutheran, I was super excited to see Reverend Matthew Harrison, the president of the synod, speaking and leading the opening prayer,” she said. “Seeing my church and state leaders standing up for life was a great comfort.”

Vanderweide said she enjoyed having Associate Dean of Men Jeffery Rogers lead chants and cadences during the march.

“Spirits were high,” Vanderweide said. “Though there are so many lives to mourn and abortion is nowhere near abolished, there is still hope and faith that the pro-life movement will not stop fighting until abortion is unthinkable.”