Rosalia Feldpausch, a junior at Byron Center High School, gave a well-researched presentation on abortion in the 37th annual High School Oratory Contest. Feldpausch received a $300 scholarship and was eligible for the statewide contest on April 18 in East Lansing, where she will compete against 19 other affiliate winners.
With an interesting take on the abortion issue, Feldpausch gave a thoughtful comparison between the Passion of Christ and the death sentence given to unborn babies.
“When Our Savior Jesus Christ was on trial and sentenced to death, Pontius Pilate also experienced a mental struggle. He had found Jesus guilty of no crime, but with great difficulty Pilate was pressured by the crowds to crucify Our Lord,” Feldpausch said. “Today, millions of innocent babies are sentenced to death by abortion,and many of their mothers suffer the psychological consequences just as Pilate did.”
Feldpausch delved further into the trauma of post-abortion syndrome. “If the child within a mother’s womb was not truly a living person, the mental consequences would be theoretically less severe,” she explained. “However, in many cases, a part of the mother knows that the child is alive and innocent and worthy. This is why she experiences a multitude of conflicting emotions after the abortion. She might have gotten what she wanted, but deep down she knew it was wrong.”
Judge Brittany Albin evaluated Feldpausch’s speech and gave encouraging feedback to prepare her for the state contest.
Photos from the High School Oratory Contest can be viewed on the Grand Rapids Right to Life Flickr page.