My name is Jesse Castrinos, and I graduated from Patrick Henry College with a B.A. in American Politics and Policy in May 2026.

My Students for Life journey began in the summer of 2023 when I attended the Celebrate Life Rally in Washington, D.C. Seeing so many people united in defense of preborn children inspired me to become more involved. When I returned to campus, I started a Students for Life group at Patrick Henry College and served as president for the next two years.

At the time, I had very little leadership experience in the pro-life movement. Thankfully, I was surrounded by passionate student leaders who shared the same mission. Together, we grew the group into one of the most active organizations on campus. We organized prayer outreach outside abortion facilities, participated in lobby days in Washington, D.C., held fundraisers for our local Pregnancy Center, and joined door-knocking deployments throughout Virginia. Those experiences taught me how to lead, communicate effectively, and work alongside others toward the common goal of ending abortion.

One of the biggest ways Students for Life impacted me was by helping me discover my career path. Through my involvement with the group, I gained valuable leadership experience that expanded my internship opportunities. As I balanced pro-life activism with policy and research internships, I realized that I was especially drawn to policy work. Students for Life gave me the opportunity to explore different areas of the movement and helped me discern where my skills could have the greatest impact.

Today, I work with the Idaho Family Policy Center, where I help advance policies that strengthen families, protect religious liberty, and defend preborn children. One of the highlights of my work so far was representing the organization at SoConCon 2026 in Washington, D.C. During the conference, I attended policy workshops, met with legislators from across the country, and learned more about how effective public policy can create meaningful change.

While I can’t go into too much detail on some of the projects I’m working on because they have not yet been published, much of my work involves researching complex issues and developing policy recommendations for the state of Idaho. I have also been involved in efforts to monitor whether public agencies are complying with state laws that were created to protect female private spaces, religious liberty, and preborn children.

I recently moved to Boise and am still getting connected in my new community. I joined a local Bible-believing church and hope to become more involved in local pro-life efforts in the months ahead. In particular, I am excited about opportunities to work with my church to engage on issues affecting preborn children, including Proposition 1, which will be on the ballot in Idaho this November.

For students who are approaching graduation and considering a career in the pro-life movement, my advice is to begin with prayer. Ask God to guide your steps and make your calling clear. Sometimes that clarity comes through internships, volunteer opportunities, or experiences that show you what you do not want to do just as much as what you do.

I would also encourage students to invest in their relationships. It is important to make connections, but it is even more important to maintain them. Stay in touch with mentors, classmates, and professionals you meet along the way. Meaningful relationships can often open doors and provide opportunities that might not be available otherwise.

Finally, find work that aligns with your values and convictions. When you are passionate about the mission of the organization you serve, work becomes much more than a job. It becomes an opportunity to use your talents in service of something greater than yourself.