Schools work together to buy ultrasound machine

Three young people from two different high schools were inspired by speakers from the Knights of Columbus council at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman to not just be pro-life but to do something about it. 

The speakers were Jackie Nguyen and Maggie Forth from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and Meah Allison from Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School.  

The three students knew that one school could not raise $13,000 to buy an ultrasound machine for the unborn in the five months before graduation in May 2022. However, if the two schools worked together, they could raise a large part and the Knights would match.  

The students said they also were inspired by Deacon Joe Vandervort, coordinator of Respect Life Ministry at the archdiocese, who talked about converting the heart and soul of young people to choose life from birth to natural death. 

“Their heart is not in love with a God who loved them enough to give them life,” he said.

Nguyen and Forth were co-presidents of “Irish for Life” Bishop McGuinness and are both graduating seniors.

Meah Allison was president and Kedon Gumerson was vice president for “Youth4Life” at Mount Saint Mary. They are juniors at the Mount. 

The two high schools worked through many different fundraising efforts, raising more than $7,500 in less than five months. They laid the foundation for next year’s junior class at both high schools to be able to raise enough money for the two schools to purchase another ultrasound machine. 

The students also purchased and displayed yard signs in support of the efforts of Knights of Columbus Council #12108 in Norman. 

Frank Clearly, spiritual advisor at Mount Saint Mary, said, “It was really special to see the two schools connect and work together on a common goal. The kids pulled together and really worked so hard on an issue that is so very, very important – the life of the unborn.”   

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic. 


A Mount St. Mary’s family donated $3,925 to the Youth4Life effort. Photos provided.


Youth4Life set up a booth at the 2022 Men’s Conference to spread the word and raise money.