See You at the Pole is a student-led prayer rally for all school districts to take part in, annually, on Sept. 25, the National Student Prayer Day. Students wake up earlier than normal to crowd around the flag pole to pray and worship as a community.
As this is student-led, sophomores Michelle Lachuga, Abby Chrisman, Kate Ferrell, and Aiden Smith stepped up to organize this rally as a whole.
“Us being out there in a crowd, students would pass by and see what was happening,” Michelle said. “Hopefully, this did put a spark in them and make them think ‘Oh maybe I need to change. Maybe I should start praying more.’”
Because See You at the Pole is student-led, staff members are still required to come and observe to ensure everything goes smoothly and according to plan. One of these staff members observing was Outdoor Adventures teacher Lisa Helm.
“This is the first time we’ve had See You at the Pole in several years,” Helm said. “And I think it’s a really good time for students to share their faith and witness to others.”
Gathering around as a community is much more powerful than some may assume at first glance. The organizers of the group said one of their motivations was to provide an activity to combat the negativity that is seen on campus and promote positivity.
“There are so many issues with drugs, mental health, and even teen pregnancies and all these things,” Abby Chrisman said. “And so I feel like being together can help our community and help as a whole. And it opens up your mind to positivity and so you can be so much happier.”
With this effect, the observers present like Sophmore Gage Hepler said that the purpose of the students gathered around the flag pole that morning held a sense of peace.
“They were very in the moment you know?” Hepler said. “Kind of like nothing else was bothering them. They were all focused on trying to feel the Lord’s presence, that’s it.”
The student organizers of this year’s See You at the Pole have also begun a new campus club: POV Walking with Jesus. The creators of this club gained inspiration from James Idell, their Youth Leader from the Chruch of Azle, as well as Yearbook teacher Haley Hopkins. With this newly founded club, the girls said they hope to inspire a movement within the school.
“We’re super excited about it,” Kate said. “We really felt the call of God to be able to share our testimonies and were excited to lead. There’s an uproar in this school and it’s amazing.”
