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National student prayer day focuses on terror aftermath Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Like students at other Rogue Valley high schools, North Medford High School students gathered at their school's flagpole to pray Wednesday morning. Flags at the event were at half-staff out of respect for those who lost their lives Sept. 11 in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. By MELISSA MARTIN Melissa Stratton prayed for the children who lost their parents when the World Trade Center collapsed last week. Other high school students prayed for wisdom for the nation's leaders or for strength for those who mourn. "Be with the children and let them know they are not alone," prayed Stratton, a North Medford High School freshman. She was one of about 50 North Medford students shivering in the crisp autumn air and circling an American flag Wednesday morning during See You At The Pole, a national day of student prayer. The annual September event draws about 250,000 high school students to school flagpoles across the nation. In the Rogue Valley, students gathered at the region's high schools and several junior high schools to pray. But this year, flags hung at half-staff to remember those who died during Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast. "Help those people who don't have much time to live, who might be buried beneath the rubble," prayed Daniel Jeffrey, a North freshman. "Help the rescuers reach them and help someone to talk to them about you." North student Victoria Lee prayed for families and friends who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks. "I lift up this nation to you," Lee prayed. "Everyone is in mourning." Nick Ahrens prayed for wisdom for President George W. Bush. "Help him to seek your counsel," Ahrens prayed. See You At the Pole started 11 years ago in Burleson, Texas. There is now an Internet site for students to log in their attendance. Last year, more than 2 million students prayed in 50 states as well as Australia, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines and Swaziland, according to www.syatp.com on the Web. At North Medford, students met for two prayer times, one at 7 a.m. for students with early-bird classes and another at 8 a.m. Both were held on the lawn around the pole. "I came here today to meet other Christians," said freshman Shawn Johansen. North Medford sophomore Briana Dunn said she came to join hearts with other students. "When Christians come together, we can pray for our school and for our nation, especially during this terrible time we're going through," Dunn said. "Hopefully, we'll turn to God for answers." Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.