JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — United in a common cause, dozens of Pennsylvania Christians prayed together as their bus rolled through the countryside on Friday morning, heading to the annual March for Life in the nation’s capital.

Andrew Massoud and Adeline Mishler — both high school students — sat together in the back.

Massoud attended the anti-abortion rally in Washington, D.C., five years earlier. For Mishler, it was her first trip to the event held on or near the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

“We’ve all been given the chance to have a life, have a lifetime, so I think it’s important that we use our abilities to ensure that other people who may not have those rights right now get those rights — because everyone has the right to be born and enjoy a lifetime,” Massoud said. “So I think it’s important that we do our best to help others enjoy that right as well.”

Mishler said she feels inspired by the theme of this year’s March for Life: “The Power of One”

“I think that resonates a lot because one person can do a lot of things,” Mishler said. “And that’s why I’m pro-life. I’m a firm believer that one person can change the world, one person can make an impact, so I feel like everyone can relate to that and everybody can believe that one person makes a difference.”

She recently attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump and was still in Washington the following day when the Women’s March occurred. She did not participate in that event.

Speaking about the current political climate concerning abortion, Mishler said, “There’s always a lot of controversy, so I feel like the pro-life people this year are — more than ever — going to want to stand up and get their viewpoints out there.”

Massoud said he is “very hopeful that this upcoming administration can put in place the steps to take the appropriate action to hopefully give those unborn their due rights.”

For many attendees, including Donald Shovestull, opposition to abortion comes from deeply held religious beliefs.

“I think we need to be reminded of our morals and what is right and what is wrong,” Shovestull said. “My faith definitely calls me to it. I think there are a lot of people out there too, that just beside their faith, their moral compass calls them to this. But, for me personally, it would be my faith.”

Sutor writes for the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Tribune-Democrat.

Thousands of protesters are expected to attend Friday’s 44th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

The march is held each year on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion.

The Tribune-Democrat and CNHI journalists will be in D.C. to cover the march.

For live coverage of the event, go to www.tribdem.com throughout the day, and track our live blog.

On Twitter, follow march coverage by reporter Dave Sutor (@Dave_Sutor), photographer John Rucosky (@JrucoskyJohn) and digital journalist Teresa McMinn (teresamcminn1).