Catalina Scheider Galiñanes ’21

On a frigid day in January, Catalina Schieder Galiñanes ’21 looked out into a crowd of one-hundred thousand pro-life marchers who had gathered together on the National Mall in Washington, DC.  As the 2020 national March for Life student speaker, Catalina spoke to fellow marchers on the dignity of all human life, made in God’s image and likeness. Her speech immediately preceded President Trump’s historic address.  Leading the March for Life with Oakcrest was an experience that shaped the course of Catalina’s life over the next five years. “I was so blessed to be able to communicate an uplifting, pro-life message on a national stage,” she recalled.

 

Today, Catalina is a senior at the University of Notre Dame.  She will graduate this May 2025 with double majors in Economics and Political Science and a minor in Constitutional Studies.  On Notre Dame’s campus, Catalina is an avid writer and an active participant in the political life of the university. A firm believer in living out her convictions, Catalina stated, “I’m passionate about communicating the truth and I have devoted the last four years to becoming a dedicated, outspoken, and effective student leader.”

 

Catalina credits her parents and Oakcrest education with giving her the foundation she needed for college and beyond. “I am so grateful to my parents for providing me with a single-sex education centered on faith and the liberal arts at Oakcrest…I learned how to think critically, form opinions carefully, express my convictions creatively, and communicate clearly,” she said.

 

The Oakcrest senior thesis prepared Catalina for her intensive research and writing courses at Notre Dame: “My [Oakcrest] senior thesis project allowed me to bring together my interests in philosophy and literature – now, in my senior year at Notre Dame, I am in a philosophy-directed research course on Anna Karenina and Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, both texts I first read in high school!” Catalina exclaimed.  

On her college campus, Catalina writes on the intersection of political theory, domestic policy, and America’s founding documents for Beyond Politics: Notre Dame Journal of Political Science.  She also continues her work as a writer and editor for Notre Dame’s student publication, The Irish Rover, and was honored to be selected as a Sorin Fellow with the DeNicola Center for Ethics and Culture.

 

A prolific writer, Catalina has published on pressing political issues such as religious freedom, Supreme Court rulings, state legislation and abortion for The American Spectator, National Catholic Register, Real Clear Religion, The Catholic Thing, and Theology of Home.  Last summer, she contributed written pieces as a news intern for EWTN.

Catalina reflected that she was inspired by an extraordinary Oakcrest teacher. She recalled: “Mrs. Jen Kilmer, with her warm leadership of the Respect Life Club and great teaching instruction, impacted both my mind and my character.”

 

In addition to having teachers who served as role models, Catalina reflected that her Oakcrest experience “was deeply spiritually formative” thanks to the availability of daily Mass, confession and spiritual direction. “I was able to fully integrate my faith into my daily life,” she said.  

 

Catalina’s passion for advocacy and engagement has grown since her days with the Oakcrest Respect Life Club.  She currently serves in leadership roles for Notre Dame’s Student Government, ND College Republicans, and ND Right to Life, to name just a few.  As an intern for her local Republican Committee for two summers, she contributed to over 22 Republican campaigns.

 

After graduating from Notre Dame next month, Catalina is excited to join American Target Advising, the world’s oldest and largest conservative direct marketing and fundraising agency.  As she looks forward to entering the professional world, Catalina keeps these words from St. Josemaría in her mind: “There is no other way, my daughters and sons: either we learn to find our Lord in the ordinary, everyday life, or we shall never find him.”

Catalina’s favorite Oakcrest memories include the Shakespeare Monologue Competitions, singing in the Christmas and Spring Concerts, and playing the piano for the annual talent shows. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading the works of Wendell Berry, and going to country music concerts!

 

When asked what advice she would give to Oakcrest graduates, Catalina’s answer was two-fold: First, “I would advise them to be thoughtful and intentional with their college classes – finding amazing professors and programs has changed my intellectual journey!” Second, she advises Oakcrest graduates to hold fast to Scripture, pointing out one of her favorite passages from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)