“See You at the Pole” in its 20th year
In September, 2009, students across the country gathered before school started to pray for their friends, family, school and nation. 18-year-old Jeff Elliott said “It feels good to get up early in the morning and start my day by praying for people I care about . . .it’s cool.”
Photo by constantly_Jair (Flickr)
“See You at the Pole” is held each year on the fourth Wednesday in September. It is entirely student-led and student-initiated. Although held on school grounds and anyone may attend, it is not endorsed or administered by school officials.
The prayer event started in Texas in 1990. It has grown to include students from all 50 states, Canada, Turkey, Korea, Japan, Guam, and the Ivory Coast in Africa. Some students continue the practice throughout the school year by gathering at the flagpole and praying before or after school.
As long as there is no pressure from the school for or against student-led prayer, it is considered a form of speech that is protected under the First Amendment.
