The Ave Herald

The combined group from Ave Maria University and the town youth group was one of the largest contingents of students at the March for Life in Washington Friday. (photo by Roy Lenardson)

 Even if participants at the March for Life Friday didn't see the contingent from Ave Maria, they heard them.

The 23 Catholic bishops attending the march were introduced to the crowd and when Bishop Frank Dewane of the diocese of Venice was named, "a huge roar was heard, and you could just see on Bishop Dewane's face that we made his day," said Alex Klucik, a high school senior who was attending his second march as part of the group from the Donahue Academy and Ave Maria Youth Group. (right, Bishop Dewane with Sr. Teresa Benedicta, a teacher at Donahue Academy)

The combined group of high school and university students from Ave Maria led all the the Catholic universities on the march, and "had one of the biggest groups there," Alex said. "This march was even more amazing than last year's."

Gabe Wallace, a high school junior attending his first march, agreed. "It was fantastic to see so many people get together for that kind of a cause. It was terrific."

Bishop Dewane celebrated a special mass Friday at St. Peter's Church on Capitol Hill for members of the Venice diocese attending the march. (left, students with Bishop Dewane)

The high school students arrived in Washington Wednesday night and were able to see some of the sights in Washington before returning Saturday evening. They also had a meeting Saturday morning with Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. (right, the congressman with John Fox, a Donahue Academy senior whom he has recommended for the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis)

Including chaperones and students from the Ave Maria School of Law, there were more than 200 people from Ave Maria educational institutions in Washington for the march.

(photos by Roy Lenardson)

Click here for previous Ave Herald Story: Large Ave Maria Contingent Leaves for Washington March for Life
Click here for story from Naples Daily News on law school students at the march