2015 Extravaganza to host abortion survivor

Published: December 17, 2014

The diocesan Catholic Youth Ministry Office will sponsor its annual Weekend Extravaganza, a "lock'in" for teens at Robinson Center and DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock Jan. 17-18. This event, which is open to youth in grades 9-12, coincides with the diocese's Mass and March for Life to follow on Jan. 18. Led by the diocesan Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Weekend Extravaganza includes music, skits and speakers that focus on right-to-life issues through a teen's perspective.

This year's speaker is Melissa Ohden. She is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion and the founder and director of For Olivia’s Sake, an organization that raises awareness of the intergenerational impact of abortion on men, women, children, families and communities. Ohden also founded the Abortion Survivors Network and has been featured on television and radio, including ETWN’s Life on the Rock. On Jan. 18 participants will attend the statewide Mass for Life followed by the March for Life to the state Capitol. 

The cost per student is $45 and $55 per adult chaperone, plus the cost of meals. Scholarships are available. The registration deadline is Dec. 22. Registration is done through a parish youth group. Parishes may register by downloading and returning this registration form. For more information, contact Trish Gentry at (501) 664-0340, 418.