Augusta Georgia: Metro:Pupils rejoice with song, prayer 09/20/01

Pupils rejoice with song, prayer

Web posted Thursday, September 20, 2001

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The flag at Greenbrier High School in Evans stood at half-staff Wednesday, a silent reminder of last week's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington - events that got barely a mention during the annual See You at the Pole prayer rally at the school.

Greenbrier students Tara Hayden (from left), Ryan Dillard, Chase Reynolds, Danni Adcox, Justin Ownby and Britney Graham lead the songs during the high school's See You at the Pole prayer rally Wednesday, where nearly 400 students attended. JIM BLAYLOCK/STAFF
Instead, student speakers shared Scripture over a microphone and voiced their concerns for the unsaved. They urged other believers to see the school as a mission field.

Senior Annette Ferrell, 18, said she comes to the rally every year.

''I came to show myself that there are other people who have the same savior as me and that also love God,'' she said.

This year's crowd numbered nearly 400 students - 10 times the 40 who showed up last year, according to Russell Snyder, Greenbrier's wrestling coach.

The rally at Greenbrier was mirrored at public and private schools across the Augusta area.

A similar effort at Aiken High School saw about 100 students. Pupils also prayed at Kennedy Middle School.

At South Aiken High School, about 150 students circled in prayer and song as two students led singing with a guitar.

Many students were dressed in pajamas and tacky clothing because this week is homecoming at the school and Wednesday was Theme Clothes Day.

Students hold hands at the See You at the Pole prayer rally at Greenbrier High School. Other local school groups also participated in the national event. JIM BLAYLOCK/STAFF
Many students prayed for the nation's leaders to have wisdom to deal with the reaction to last week's terrorist attacks.

Rachel Whitten, a junior, said she attends the prayer sessions every year. It allows her schoolmates to come together for religion.

''Since you can't pray in school, I think it is a great way for students to pray,'' she said.

A few members of the school's staff also gathered with the students, along with some youth workers from local churches.

For more information, call (817) 447-7526 or visit the See You at the Pole Web address at www.syatp.org.

Reach Virginia Norton at (706) 823-3336 or vanorton@augustachronicle.com.