Students, teachers, and parents from Cinco Christian School in Fort Walton Beach came together Wednesday morning for the annual “See You At The Pole” prayer event at the school.
- This yearly gathering, which takes place at schools across the nation, provides an opportunity for students to publicly express their faith through prayer.
The local event at Cinco featured a unique “pole” this year – a fire truck ladder courtesy of the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District. School officials said the fire truck allowed them to hold the event safely within the confines of the school’s new gated area since their existing flagpole is near busy Yacht Club Drive.
“They are the most accommodating group of individuals and are out here at the drop of a hat, said Chrissy Hartley, Cinco Christian School PTO President, about the fire department’s involvement. “Every time we ask, they will be out here to support us, support our community and support the kids.”
According to Tyler Hildebran, Director at Cinco Christian, the national “See You At The Pole” event originated as a student-led movement in the 1990s. And while fifth graders at Cinco Christian helped lead Wednesday’s event, school staff assisted them in preparing remarks.
“Our oldest group of kids here at Cinco is 5th grade. A fifth grader might know exactly what they’re going to say, but when they’re in front of 200 plus other people, adults and kids, they freeze up,” Hildebran explained. “So we make sure that they know exactly what the theme is, help them write out a script and then have them read it. That’s been really successful for us in the past and it was successful again today.”
Hildebran said the school views prayer events like “See You At The Pole” as opportunities to demonstrate that faith can be lived out publicly, even in a Christian school setting where students are already surrounded by believers.
- “It’s important to us that we can show our kids that they can be public in their faith, whether they’re at a Christian school, at a church, or anywhere that where they go,” he stated.
In addition to the public prayer time, students were given bracelets with the letters “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do?) to remind them to make wise, thoughtful choices each day. The throwback to the popular 90s slogan is something the school was excited to kickoff during the prayer event.
Hartley said instilling values like kindness and anti-bullying are key parts of the school’s approach.
- “We what the kids to think about ‘what would Jesus do’ in any situation,” she explained. “If you have a problem or you have an issue, pray about it and think ‘what would Jesus do’ before you act on anything.”
Both Hartley and Hildebran emphasized that Cinco Christian School views itself as an extension of the home, seeking to partner with parents to provide both quality education and spiritual development.
“School is not mentioned in the Bible at all but education is mentioned all over the place and it’s mentioned the first time in Deuteronomy chapter 6,” said Hildebran. “It says, ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.’ And then in verse 6 it says, ‘impress these things upon your children.’”
- “Parents entrust their most precious assets to us and we educate them, fulfilling their parent’s duty to educate their children. That’s our mission, partnering with parents to train students so that they can grow up and discern the call of God on their life, whatever that may be,” he added.
