Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Cabe students pray at the pole for hurricane victims

Approximately 30 students and adults met to pray at the Cabe Middle School flag poles bright and early Wednesday morning.

Teacher Ann Clingan got the effort started at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, as she told students to wake up for tradition.

The Gurdon students have been taking part in the national day of prayer called, "See You at the Pole" for more than two decades, according to Clingan.

Around the same amount were also at the high school flag pole, but they were running just a few minutes later than CMS students.

"We usually gather around and a local preacher prays," she said. "This year it is the Rev. Rusty Jones, Gurdon First United Methodist Church."

Of course, the students pray too. This years CMS prayer list included: Katrina hurricane victims, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Arkansas, our schools, each other, our teachers, Iraq, the USA, our president and other leaders, the military, Mrs. White (Libby White, CMS principal), our families, and Gurdon.

According to Clingan, the students are free to pray for what they want. She said about a dozen parents walked around the CMS campus praying on Tuesday night, just after the public meeting where the principals announce changes and plans for the current school year.

Clingan said those at the two poles for CMS ranged in age from fifth to eighth graders.

"We usually run about the same number of people," she added. "Those two poles were earned by the efforts of students years ago. We were excited to see that much enthusiasm. We use one for the American flag and one for Arkansass state flag. This ceremony began today with students hoisting the flags."

Clingan said she believes the Lord is right here with those praying at poles.

"Last year, there was this pretty rainbow that came out over us, as it had just rained in Prescott. It was beautiful," she said.

The Rev. Jones prayed for the hurricane victims and "even those who are enemies of ours."