Student Who Taught Abstinence Gives Birth

Danyale Andersen spent more than 100 hours preaching sexual abstinence to younger students at her high school.

The quiet 18-year-old even spoke to the Redmond School Board to advocate an abstinence-only health curriculum.

Her beliefs remain unshaken, even though she had a baby during spring break.

The athletic teenager gained only seven pounds during her pregnancy and concealed her condition from family and friends until she went into labor.

“I was scared to let anybody know,” said Anderson, one of an estimated 100 unmarried teens to give birth in Deschutes County this year. “I know everyone’s standards and expectations of me.

Anderson’s mother, Myrna, who was also kept in the dark about the pregnancy, blames drinking for her daughter’s mistake.

“I blame myself,” the teen said.

The baby’s father was a short-term boyfriend. Danyale broke up with him a few weeks after her daughter was conceived and he will have no role in raising the child.

Danyale was active during her pregnancy, playing soccer with friends through her seventh month and continuing to teach younger students about abstinence.

“It was still what I believed,” she said, admitting that she felt guilty for having failed to follow her own advice.

Danyale plans to attend college in Eugene and the child, Araya, probably will live with her grandmother.

When the time comes, the baby will be taught about abstinence.

“I still believe in it,” Danyale said.