“Women deserve the right to make decisions about their own bodies.” West Potomac Class of 2023 Vice President Saira Nagda firmly stands on her pro-choice abortion views. In a 5-4 decision last Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade–a case that since 1973 has offered federal protection of abortion rights for all. The court’s controversial ruling now gives individual states the power over abortion laws, and seven states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) have already enacted their own abortion bans from the moment of conception. While no immediate restrictions or bans are expected in Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin tweeted out a statement last Friday, immediately following the Supreme Court’s decision, saying he plans to “build a bipartisan consensus on protecting the life of unborn children.” Youngkin has since asked four Republican Virginia lawmakers to draw up a bill, per The Washington Post. “I’m proud to be a Pro-Life Governor” said Youngkin.

Protests in D.C. and around the DMV have attracted millions of pro-choice demonstrators and activists, with attendees including some West Potomac students. “Choosing to have an abortion is the most personal decision one can make, and a variety of circumstances could make abortion necessary,” said Nagda, “As students who will inherit this country, we must use our power to foster a country in which there is freedom for all.”

Incoming Class President Evans Asideu, who will be entering his first term on the SGA this fall, shares similar ideals with his VP counterpart but chose to keep his statement substantially more concise: “They (The Supreme Court) shouldn’t be able to choose for the women” Asideu said.

Until last Friday, high school students for decades have lived during a time when Roe v. Wade was the law across the land. As of the 2017-18 school year, which is the most recent published data, 34.7% of FCPS students reported being sexually active by their senior year of high school, with 15.5% being female students.