Ustach Middle students take part in See You at the Pole prayers

Kids and adults gathered before the bell at the Ustach Middle School flagpole Wednesday, joining students around the globe in prayer. See You at the Pole happens at 7 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of September, a tradition started by Texas students in 1990. Student-led prayer is allowed at public schools outside of school hours. The Ustach event was organized by eighth-grader Ryan Rodriguez, who raised interest through Facebook posts, said his mother, Michelle Rodriguez. It is his first year at the north Modesto campus after attending a private Christian school, she said, adding that he is starting a Christian student club. At Wednesday’s event, dozens of people came to pray and sing devotional songs before school started.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Ustach Middle students take part in See You at the Pole prayers."