Isabella Garza
Mya Mericle, '28, worships at the 24th year of See You at the Pole.
As the cool morning air lingered on campus, students gathered in a circle around the flagpole singing and praying. They stood side by side, beginning their day with hope and faith. For the 2025 See You at the Pole (SYATP) on September 24, Fresno Christian students joined thousands of students around the world, praising God together on campuses.
Starting in 1990 with a small group of teens in Burleson, Texas, See You at the Pole (SYATP) has grown into an international movement of students praying together. See You at the Pole invites students all over the world to meet at their school’s flagpole early in the morning before the bell rings for a time of student-led prayer and worship. The event happens every fourth Wednesday of September.
The goal of this event is for students to grow in faith as a community through prayer, worship and fellowship.
Fresno Christian has been a part of this powerful movement since 2001. Worship team teacher, Daniel Garrison, has been a part of the Fresno Christian community since 2013 and has attended many SYATP at other schools, including Alta Sierra, Buchanan, Kastner and Clovis West high schools.
“Events like this are special because we step out of the ordinary to pray in smaller groups over specific topics,” Garrison said. “It’s inspiring to see peers passionately praying for their school, state, and nation – sometimes even people you wouldn’t expect. These moments unite us and strengthen our faith.”
Music and prompts for prayer are combined throughout the morning to provide an unforgettable worship experience. At the FC event, worship vocals were led by juniors Mayalina Cortez and Rachel Garcia and sophomore Trinity Bannister. Instrumentals were provided by senior Bella Barrett on piano, Jane Higton on acoustic guitar and freshman Ryan Taylor on drums.
After each song, leaders prayed and asked students and teachers to break into small groups to pray for various topics such as the nation, government, the school and fellow peers.
Freshman David Huerta, a first-time SYATP attender, joined upperclassmen in prayer and worship.
“It feels good being here for the first time; it’s great to see a lot of people here to worship God, pray more and connect as a community,” Huerta said. “Getting to pray with the upperclassmen is different because they are older than me, but it is great to connect with them through God.”
While it was optional, students from grade levels six to twelve were in attendance. As students stood shoulder to shoulder, they joined in with many others around the world who are part of this 30-year standing tradition.
Senior Tayla Tarlton has attended SYATP many times throughout her school years, but this was bittersweet as it will be her last.
“It’s special to see prayer from another perspective – when we pray for our state and nation, it feels bigger,” Tarlton said. “I’m reminded that prayer is what truly makes a difference,” Tarlton said.
SYATP reminds students and staff of the power of prayer and of the importance of standing together in faith. The next SYATP will be in September 2026 at the start of the school year.
For more from The Feather visit America mourns the loss of Charlie Kirk and 40th Annual Homecoming extends a world of memories