Pocono News Section

Spiritual Start to the School Day

Spiritual Start to the School Day - Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 10:44AM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 @ 10:44am EDT
COVINGTON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Students at dozens of local schools took part, Wednesday morning, in a national event that promotes prayer. It's called "See You At The Pole" An estimated two-million U. S. students participate. Among them, some three dozen teens who attend North Pocono High School. They united in prayer, openly sharing their faith around the school flagpole.

"We just want to publicize our faith and, you know, let other people know that if you believe in God you should show it," said North Pocono student Ellen Genovese

Some North Pocono seniors who helped organize the event know that life in and out of school can be a struggle. That's why they believe it's vital to hold this public display of prayer.
"It's important because everyone needs to know that they're not alone in their journey with God," said 12th grader Christina Toth.
She and senior classmate Kristin Savitski helped organize the event.
Savitski told Eyewitness News, "We're able to be able to see who else is christian in our school and be able to form bonds of friendship with them so we can go out there and be stronger in our faith."

The prayer event at North Pocono High School started before the class day began and as other students were arriving for school who weren't participating in "See You At The Pole." More than 12-hundred other students, including twin sisters Meghan and Rachel Utter, attend the high school. It seems all of them passed by the prayer gathering respectfully.

"Mostly people will accept that they have faith and not make fun of them," said sophomore Meghan Utter
Rachel Utter said, "I think it's good that they can all come out and express what they feel."

Prayers ranged from providing guidance to community and world leaders to protecting fellow students and loved ones.
"It's just praying from your heart and what you think about stuff, " said senior Jay Major.

Many of the North Pocono students who prayed today belong to a youth fellowship group called "Campus Life".
They meet in homes of fellow students on an almost weekly basis to help keep their faith strong.