Warwick resident and college student reports on March for Life

WARWICK — After graduating from Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, N.J., Thomas Scharfenberger, the son of Dr. Dennis and Anna Scharfenberger of Warwick, entered the freshman class at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he now pursues studies for his major in biochemistry.
Scharfenberger is also a graduate of St. Stephen's - St. Edward's Elementary School and an active member of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.
On Friday, Jan. 18, he had an opportunity to join thousands of others, including his uncle, the Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany, in the 46th annual March for Life.
Scharfenberger is carrying on a long family tradition.
In 2011 thousands of people throughout the nation and the world mourned the untimely death of his brother Jonathan, who had passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a automobile accident.
At the time, Jonathan Scharfenberger, 22, was serving as the Pregnant on Campus Coordinator and Campus Support Coordinator for Students for Life of America (SFLA), a national pro-life organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
Jonathan's job included visiting colleges and providing materials to over 600 campus pro-life groups across the nation. There were tens of thousands who didn't know him personally but nevertheless, mourned his passing.
"This year's march," said Thomas Scharfenberger, "was different than any other I've been to and I believe that we've overcome many challenges that were placed before us in past years. With over 300,000 people being in attendance with the vast majority being young - it is undeniable that the tides are turning in our favor and especially with the youth. The current political climate has shown to be hostile for both sides and the right to life is more important now than it ever has been. I personally believe that the issue crosses party lines and societal differences and we must learn to come together and always keep marching for life."
- Roger Gavan