The Pregnancy Project

A high school student who becomes pregnant after being influenced by her peers. She envisions a future with Jesse built on marriage and motherhood rather than college, while her family experiences conflict and scrutiny. The narrative follows her search for stability and how she weighs love, responsibility, and opportunity for her child.

A sharp-eyed reporter who investigates Gloucester High’s teen pregnancy wave, interviewing staff and students to document patterns. She shows empathy and resilience, and reveals a personal connection to teen pregnancy by sharing that she was pregnant at sixteen and placed the baby for adoption.

One of the pregnant students who gives birth during the story. Her decision-making and health during pregnancy are tested as she confronts stigma and the realities of motherhood.

A member of the peer group that actively encourages Sara to join them in pregnancy, illustrating how peer pressure can shape life-altering choices.

Another teen among the group experiencing pregnancy, representing the contagious nature of the wave and the shared challenges facing young mothers.

Sara’s boyfriend who initially supports the relationship but leaves after learning of the pregnancy. He struggles with his own future plans for college and baseball and is pulled between loyalty and personal ambition.

Sara’s mother, an active advocate who pushes for changes in school policy, including birth control access and daycare. Her efforts lead to political conflict and, ultimately, a shift in the school’s approach to teen pregnancy.

Sara’s father, who clashes with Sara over expectations and support, reflecting the tension between traditional parental guidance and a teenager’s search for autonomy.

A school faculty member who is revealed to have fathered a pregnancy with a student, adding a layer of power dynamics and accountability to the story.

The school principal involved in the administration’s response to the teen pregnancy wave, whose leadership and eventual resignation reflect the broader policy and culture shifts in Gloucester High.