Student Life Club Continues to Ripple

Courtney Carmichael, Cornerstone alumna ‘22, was inspired by her role in the Cornerstone Students for Life club and her Senior Legacy Project on abortion to start a Students for Life club on the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern University. She is currently the Vice President and will be leading events as their organization takes root for the first time this spring semester. 

Courtney said, “As I began studying what the Bible says about the sanctity of life and researching the reasons women choose abortion, I quickly knew I wanted to invest in saving the lives of babies all over the world.”

Students for Life Club 

The Students for Life club at Cornerstone began as a Senior Legacy Project. Molly Finnegan, class of 2017, had a similar passion for saving lives and used her senior year to establish the club on campus. The club has evolved over the years with different club mentors.  

In 2021, Mrs. Thompson was willing, as a new teacher, to step into the role of club advisor that was unfilled. She loves the students and saw an opportunity to serve them and Jesus.  “We started out with a small group, only five students the first semester, then added another student by the spring semester, " said Mrs. Thompson. “From the start, Courtney was passionate about being part of Students for Life! She and other club members helped organize gift bags that we were able to donate to Paulding Pregnancy Center. In my short time knowing her, Courtney has always demonstrated a love for moms who might be considering abortions, and I admire her desire to pursue a career path that will allow her to continue working with moms and their unborn children.”

Courtney's faith is active but life on her college campus is challenging.  This hasn’t discouraged her from seeking to serve through leadership opportunities. 

"As the Vice President of the Armstrong campus Students For Life Club, I will be leading events as our organization takes root for the first time this spring semester. Our mission is to support women on campus who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy. We do this by offering local resources, providing free workshops, ultrasounds, and pregnancy tests, educating students on what abortion is and its effects, as well as highlighting the overall pro-life movement.” 

Courtney is prayerful that this club will bring hope, healing, and policy changes as the members follow God’s leading.

Senior Project Leaves a Legacy 

While in high school, Courtney was enthusiastic about loving others well. Her love for Jesus is her motivation and others can see it. 

For her Senior Legacy Project, she partnered with crisis pregnancy centers to provide baby items and volunteered, went to seminars and trainings, and prayed outside of Planned Parenthood. As a result of her senior legacy project at Paulding Pregnancy Center, she was offered a job upon graduation from college, what a testament to her character!  “Courtney is a beautiful example of someone who doesn't choose the easy or comfortable, but seeks opportunities to share her talents as an offering to the Lord,” boasted Mrs. Nguyen. 

Looking Ahead with Purpose

“During my Senior Legacy Project research, I learned that 75% of women who have an ultrasound choose life, and it was during this time that I decided to go to Georgia Southern University to become a sonographer,” added Courtney. 

Courtney continues to pursue her degree in Radiologic Science at Georgia Southern University and build an official Students for Life Organization on campus.  Not only does she get to encourage young moms at a point of crisis, but she also takes an opportunity to share the love of Christ with them.  

Sharon Carmicheal, Courtney’s mom, had this to add, “Looking back, I can see clearly the Lord was preparing her for a career in the medical field, specifically sonography.  In high school, she worked as a lifeguard and realized she enjoyed using first aid to care for injured patrons. Her senior year at Cornerstone she also discovered her love for all things anatomy as she took Honors Anatomy with Dr. Anderson. As an alumni mom, Cornerstone prepared her for success academically and spiritually on a college campus. It has been a pleasure to watch her soar!”  

Cornerstone’s Students for Life Club is now led by advisor, Tracie Setzler, who’s done an amazing job with it. Its membership has grown, and several students have become strong advocates in our school for the pro-life movement. 

 

 

What small first step have you taken or thinking about taking that could cause a ripple effect in God’s Kingdom? Have you seen God do that in your life? We’d love to hear your story. Comment below to share your story with us.