CKCA students lead See You at the Pole gathering

More than 90 students, staff, parents, grandparents and community members gather around the flagpole at Central Kansas Christian Academy on Sept. 23 for See You at the Pole. The prayer gathering, which included more than 60 CKCA students, was organized and led by members of the school’s Student Council.

From CKCA

More than 90 people gathered around the flagpole at Central Kansas Christian Academy Wednesday, Sept. 23, as CKCA students joined young people across the country in See You at the Pole, an annual student-led event centered on prayer for schools, communities and the nation.

More than 60 CKCA students participated alongside staff, parents, grandparents, School Board members and other members of the community. The morning gathering was organized and led by CKCA’s Student Council, giving students the opportunity to lead their school community in a time of prayer.

Student Council officers for the 2026-2027 school year are Hazel Schroeter, president; Kaydin Williamson, vice president; Dakota Schroeter, treasurer; and Jazalene Smith, secretary. Other council members are Eli Hutchinson, Oliver Strecker, Trinity Smith, Rhett Zecha, Blakely Williamson and Azeneth Valles-Lomas.

CKCA sixth-graders Lawson Seal, left, and Cole Nokes participate in the school’s See You at the Pole gathering on Sept. 23 while wearing their Trail Life USA uniforms. CKCA students involved in Trail Life were invited to wear their uniforms for the event as a way of showing respect for the American flag.

During the gathering, Student Council members led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance, the pledge to the Christian flag and the pledge to the Bible. Students from each grade level participated in prayer, praying for their school, families, community and nation.

Several CKCA students who participate in Trail Life USA wore their Trail Life uniforms for the occasion as a way of showing respect for the American flag.

Trail Life USA is a church-based, Christ-centered and boy-focused mentoring and discipleship organization that uses adventure, leadership and service to encourage boys in their faith and character development.

The morning was particularly meaningful for CKCA Principal Jami Reed. Reed previously taught in the public school system and had never participated in a See You at the Pole event before Wednesday’s gathering.

“I was moved to tears multiple times during this,” Reed said.

For Reed, the morning provided an opportunity to experience students openly leading their school community in prayer for the first time. The student-led nature of See You at the Pole also allowed CKCA’s Student Council members to put both leadership and their Christian faith into action in front of their peers and community.

The gathering took place around CKCA’s flagpole, which was recently repaired and repainted by Jeremy Guthrie, owner of Mark’s Custom Signs. Guthrie is a former CKCA School Board member and parent who has remained a longtime supporter of the school.

CKCA expressed its appreciation to the parents, grandparents, School Board members and community members who joined students and staff for the gathering. Their participation helped make the morning a meaningful time of prayer and fellowship extending beyond the walls of the school.

Central Kansas Christian Academy is a Christian school in Great Bend currently serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. CKCA plans to expand its educational offerings by adding ninth grade beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.