The Choice Club

by Nina Goldman

Abortion is a topic that when brought up can lead to a full history class of argument. Opinions vary widely from person to person. At Bronxville, students leaning towards the pro-life end of the spectrum have long been able to join the Respect Life club. But what of those students who think differently?

Enter the Choice Club. This new club was founded recently by a group of seniors to whom, in the words of senior member Meghan Rossini, “It became apparent that [a pro-choice club] was necessary in the school.”

“The Choice Club was essentially started because there wasn’t a club for people who were interested in discussing choice in a school setting,” says senior member Paige Grand Pre.

Meetings are held in Ms. Gersten’s room. There, students discuss all aspects of reproductive rights. A current primary focus of the club is improving sexual education in the school in regards to safe sex and STDs. Members hope to place educational pamphlets around the school as well as encouraging health teachers to advise their students of safe sex practices so that maybe girls “won’t have to make that choice [of whether or not to have an abortion].”

Ilya Dubinsky, a sophomore who will help run the club next year, called Choice Club “a club that allows students to express their opinions.” However, there are two sides to every issue, and some students are upset and angry at this club’s mere existence.

“I don’t think it is acceptable to have a club in this school that accepts the brutal murder of innocents,” says one student, during a heated debate on the subject.

However, Ms. Gersten would like to remind upset students that it “is a pro-choice club, not a pro-abortion club.” And as long as pro-life students have the right to oppose abortion, members of the Choice Club have the right to express their opinions as well.