On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, students across Hardeman County joined millions of others around the world for See You at the Pole (SYATP). The annual “student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led” prayer event, which is held on the fourth Wednesday of September, has been a growing spiritual movement for 36 years. Several students in the county met at the flagpole on their campus before classes began to pray for their school, teachers and staff, family, friends, and nation.
The prayer movement has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Burleson, Texas with just a small group of students.
Middleton High School
Students at Middleton High School organized prayer time with middle school and high school students attending. All students gathered at the pole with student Adalynn Maness starting the period with devotion. As more students continued to gather, they formed a circle around the flagpole.
Although SYATP is a student-led event, people from the community were invited to attend. Teachers, coaches, and parents of students joined in prayer. MHS Resource Office Tommie Wood even joined in prayer.
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Other students that led the morning included Jagger Scott who started with prayer, followed by Tori Kirk, Hudson Grantham, Kolby Woods, and Issac Russell.
Shaun Mitchell, the youth pastor/director at Porters Creek Baptist Church in Middleton, closed in prayer.
“It was an awesome experience to hear and feel God working through these young people’s lives. We had several pastors come and help support,” said Mitchell. “The students closed by inviting kids to attend church!”
Mitchell meets with the student body every Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. for a time of prayer and devotion.
Bolivar Middle School
Students at Bolivar Middle School gathered around the flagpole on campus. BMS has participated in SYATP for the past few years. Matt Boatwright, who is a staff member at the school and lead pastor of Parrans Chapel Baptist Church, prayed and also included a special prayer for the students at Middleton Elementary School who recently experienced the loss of a peer.
“It was a beautiful morning to see our students come together in prayer. As an educator, this reminds me how much our schools are about more than academics. We are trying to build a strong, caring community,” STEM Center teacher Deana Sain.
“We had a great turnout this morning for the annual See You At The Pole. The students of BMS prayed for all of the students and staff in the Hardeman County schools. We also prayed for the different levels of government and our officials. Finally, we asked God to give us humble and obedient hearts to Christ and that all would come to know Him as the Savior He is,” said Mr. Boatwright.
