Maddi Runkles
Maddi Runkles
Maddi Runkles is an 18-year-old from Boonsboro, Maryland.
Life and Activities
Maddi is a graduating senior at the Heritage Academy, a nondenominational Christian school in Hagerstown, Maryland. An active part of her school's community, she was a member of her school's soccer team and served as President of the Student Council. Maddi considers herself a practicing born-again Christian. She is currently 4-months pregnant and is expecting a baby boy.
Pregnancy Controversy
A Selfie of Maddi
On May 20th, the New York Times featured a story about Maddi's pregnancy. Because of her pregnancy, Heritage Academy suspended her for 2 days, stripped her of her Student Council position, and barred her from walking at graduation. Maddi became pregnant in January, but the school was not notified until May, which resulted in the punishments.
Maddi's highlights the dilemma Christians schools face when dealing the pregnant students.
On one hand, they teach a lifestyle of chastity and not having sex until marriage yet many evangelicals Christians often do engage in sexual activities before marriage anyway.
On the other hand, Christian school's are Pro-life and advocate for the right to life for an unborn child. Many pregnant evangelical Christians are often faced with the decision whether to abort the baby and keep it a secret or keep the baby and be looked down upon for engaging in pre-martial sex.
Maddi's family plans to have her own graduation ceremony for her on June 3rd, After the Heritage Academy event.