Lewis Icopini, one of the National Leaders Collective’s (NLC) leaders of the month, is a Students for Life of America (SFLA), William Wilberforce Fellow attending the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. Learn more about Icopini’s activism below.   

Students for Life inspired me to be the best person I could be for a cause that achieves real change in the world. After taking on the campaign for Life and becoming president of the group at the University of Montana, my goals shifted to inspiring the next generation of Students for Life advocates on my campus. The preborn desperately need our voices in an area that remains stubbornly pro-abortion.  

Four years ago, I was a lost and lonely freshman. My faith was the most important thing, and I stuck with it. During my freshman year, I joined the UM Students for Life. We held various events, including inviting speakers to campus, chalking sidewalks, and the usual pro-life activities that many clubs do. My pro-choice upbringing slowly faded, replaced by a firm foundation in pro-life ideology. I began to take ownership of my involvement in the movement. At the end of last year, UM Students for Life elected me as president. Over the summer, I was accepted into the William Wilberforce Fellowship, which is preparing me for a career in building a culture of Life, and I hope my experiences in it will inform the rest of my life.   

This month, the group invited SFLA President Kristan Hawkins to our campus, where the unimaginable happened. Between noon and 1 p.m., Kristan received the news that Charlie Kirk had been shot. UM students who were gathered around found the news amusing. Appalled by this reaction, Kristan left her tabling early. Since then, UM Students for Life participated in a vigil held for Charlie by the campus’ Turning Point USA (TPUSA), ran recruiting tables, and held signs at 40 Days for Life rallies at our local abortion vendor.  

I am most excited to defend Life and save lives. It is a gift to search out those who are worth loving and cherishing, that they may be shown the love they deserve. 

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