'See You At Pole'

Events Held At

Many Schools

By TOM YANCEY

Staff Writer

Hundreds of students, parents, teachers and their supporters gathered early Wednesday to pray around local schools' flagpoles for the annual observance of "See You at the Pole."

The events were led by students, usually members of Christian after-school clubs like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and First Priority, though adults took part in some instances.

"See You at the Pole" began at various times between 7 and 7:30, and ended in time for students to get to their first classes.

A student-initiated and student-led movement that began in Texas in 1990 with a single church youth group, "See You at the Pole" had grown to more than 3 million by 1998, and is now observed in several countries besides the United States, according to its Web site, www.syatp.com.

In Greene County, the event was facilitated for many years by the United Prayer Fellowship, but observances this year were organized independently, school officials said.

Chuckey-Doak Middle School

At Chuckey-Doak Middle School, Dustin Cobble, a seventh-grader, welcomed a crowd that grew to well over 125 people before the event was over. Science teacher Diane Musgrove, who is sponsor of First Priority, said Cobble organized the event, which began at 7:15 a.m.

Students sang the Star Spangled Banner, pledged allegiance to the flag, and then different students prayed for the coming election, their school, and the state. Student Alicia Phillips asked for prayer for help with "high gas prices."

Brian Norris, pastor of East Side Baptist Church, spoke briefly and challenged students to live their Christian faith daily. The event ended with prayer around a large circle.

Chuckey Doak High School

At nearby at Chuckey-Doak High School, 42 students gathered around the flagpole to pray in a tight circle.

Alegebra teacher Ashley Rines, sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, said the event "snuck up on us," and almost didn't happen. She said students wanted to pray around the flag for their classmates, teachers, families and country, as has become customary each fall.

Custodian Rusty Shanks supported the C-DHS students in prayer.

Greeneville High

At Greeneville High School, about 30 students and teachers gathered to pray and sing, said Brad Woolsey, a coach and teacher who is the FCA sponsor.

He said students sang, read passages from the Bible and prayed about each one, then separated into small groups for more prayer before forming a circle to pray yet again.

Woolsey said that although he would like to have seen a bigger turnout, "It's not about numbers, it's about the prayer, and the hearts of the people there."

Greeneville Middle School

At Greeneville Middle School, between 75 and 85 students, as well as some parents and teachers, gathered at the flagpole, said GMS technology leader Cindy Paxton. Paxton is the sponsor of Teens of Faith, which hosted "See You at the Pole." She said that Teens of Faith is a student-led Bible study and prayer group at the school.

Student leaders led in prayer, singing and small group prayer, Paxton said.

North Greene High School

At North Greene High School, about 80 students, including a few from Baileyton Elementary School, took part in prayer at the pole, said Coach James Rosenbalm.

Rosenbalm said student Amy Valley and teacher Lana Page provided music, as did students Joseph Brown, Ricky Peters and William Jennings.

James Buchanan, sponsor of FCA, prayed, and custodian Roger Dikes, who is pastor of Brittontown Church, spoke, Rosenbalm said.

South Greene High School

At South Greene High School, students gathered first in the gym for songs and scripture, said assistant principal Teresa Broyles, then moved outside where the group swelled to well over 100 for more prayer and a "devotional."

Teachers Scott Phillips, sponsor of Soldiers for Christ, a school club, and Larry Hopson, sponsor of FCA, each spoke briefly. Broyles said a handful of adults from the community and other staff members also gathered to support the students.

West Greene High School

At West Greene High School, about 40 students prayed, led by officers of First Priority and FCA, said school secretary Sharon Kesterson.

"They gathered around the flagpole and everybody prayed," Kesterson said.

Principal Larry Bible said he also prayed. "I take part in See You at the Pole every year," Bible said, though the event is initiated and led by students.

Doak Elementary School

About 10 elementary students gathered at the flagpole before class for prayer, said Catherine McCoy, assistant principal.

McCoy said her husband, Jason McCoy, pastor of Greene Ridge Free Will Baptist Church, led a group prayer, and the students sang a verse of "Amazing Grace," she said.

Towering Oaks Christian

"See You at the Pole" took the place of the normal daily chapel service, said Bob Cardinal, the school's head.

Cardinal said chapel services normally include devotions and prayer for "a little of everything," including the school, thanksgiving for blessings, God's protection and the country.

On Wednesday, in addition to the usual topics, "We prayed for the troops and for all the things that are going on in our land right now," he said.

Chapel services are divided into two age groups, he said, and on Wednesday, in the younger group, "there had to be 16 or 17 of them praying aloud, all at the same time."

Cardinal said that so many children praying aloud "has to be a symphony to God," though "we can't understand it all ourselves."