College of the Ozarks nursing students participate in March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Senior nursing students from the Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing at College of the Ozarks traveled to Washington, D.C., Jan. 22 - 25, to join the 47th annual March for Life. (L – R) Senior nursing majors Lauren Bone, Emily Winfield, Bethany White, Audrey Larsen, Michaela Allen, and Associate Professor of Nursing Karen Shephard.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Senior nursing students from the Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing at College of the Ozarks traveled to Washington, D.C., Jan. 22 - 25, to join the 47th annual March for Life, a celebration of life and anti-abortion rally on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion in all 50 states.

“It was a sobering and heartbreaking experience, as I was constantly reminded of the loss of millions of babies,” said Audrey Larsen, senior nursing major. “However, through stories shared with strangers and powerful testimonies spoken to the crowds, there was an overwhelming message of love, grace, and restoration amidst brokenness.”

Inspiration for Action

Larsen and her friends wanted to do more for the ones without voices. For almost two years, these nursing students from C of O have developed a pro-life passion by volunteering for a local organization called Pregnancy Lifeline, a nonprofit located in Branson West that serves women and men during unplanned pregnancy. These students have organized a baby bottle campaign at C of O, a Spirit Night fundraiser at Chick-fil-A, and other fundraisers benefiting Pregnancy Lifeline.

Larsen and other students had originally made plans to attend the March for Life on their own, but after proposing the trip to professors and administrators, the College chose to provide the funds necessary for airfare, hotel, conference, and food expenses. In addition to the March for Life, they also visited the Museum of the Bible and toured the east wing of the White House.

The participants from C of O were as follows:

• Karen Shephard, associate professor of nursing
• Michaela Allen, senior nursing major from Hollister, Missouri
• Silas Boldman, senior nursing major from Kirbyville, Missouri
• Lauren Bone, senior nursing major from Arnold, Missouri
• Audrey Larsen, senior nursing major from East Dundee, Illinois
• Bethany White, senior nursing major from Springfield, Missouri
• Emily Winfield, senior nursing major from O’Fallon, Missouri