A local Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter in Charlotte County sponsored their “see you at the pole” event Wednesday before school at the Randolph-Henry High School flagpole.

During the event, students led in prayer while relaying the importance of coming together.

“The reason why I led in prayer at see you at the pole is because most teenagers don’t really like to pray in front of a bunch of people and I just wanted to stand out and let other teenagers know … it doesn’t have to require (you) … to be like an adult to pray or a little kid to pray …,” said Randolph-Henry High School Sophomore Noah Walker.

He said anyone can pray.

Walker said the significance of the event to him means people can come together to talk about Christ, while having a wonderful time and seeing each other in the morning.

He said it was a true blessing.

“At 7 a.m. on Sept. 12, 1990, more than 45,000 teenagers met at school flagpoles in four different states to pray before the start of school. Reports came into the toll-free number for days after the first event,” said information from the official see you at the pole website.

According to website information, a small group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas initiated the movement in 1990, driving to three different schools one night, gathering at the flagpoles and praying for their friends, schools and leaders.

“A few months later, a group of youth ministers from all over the country gathered together for a national conference in Colorado. Many of them reported that their students had heard about the prayer movement in Texas and were equally burdened for their schools. No other events had been planned, but it was clear that students across the country would be creating their own national day of student prayer. There was no stopping them,” said the website.

When asked what the see you at the pole event meant to him, Randolph Henry Junior Winfield Layne said “it means … our communities coming together and praying over what’s going on the community and the near future and that’s a good sign to me that we have so many show up.”

He said he attended the event because it means a lot to him that the community does well, the students have a great school year and get closer to Christ.

According to FCA Chapter Sponsor Joshua Barmoy previously, the organization has no affiliation with Randolph-Henry High School, the Charlotte County School System or Charlotte County.

“The (FCA) is a student-led organization where students come together to strengthen their relationship with God. The students organized a morning of prayer were students, faculty and some community members joined together to pray for our nation, county and school system,” he said.