"Meet Me at the Pole" has new meaning

PACE, Fla. - Students across the country gathered around their school's flag poles Wednesday, and prayed. At one Florida school, however, the prayer was more of a celebration.

Pace High School's principal and athletic director were found not guilty of violating an agreement banning prayer, or the promotion of prayer, at school functions.

As the school buses rolled in, Pace High School students gathered to pray around the flag pole. Students have met here before, but this time it was different.

"I think the prayers today were based more on our school and the struggles we are facing, keeping our faith strong," said sophomore Tyler Lovett.

Last week, Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman were found not guilty on criminal contempt charges. It all started when Lay asked Freeman to say a prayer at a school athletic banquet, violating a court-approved agreement.

Shelton Lovern with the Pace Assembly of God led the songs.

"I saw a comfort, a release in their attitudes spirit, glad everything is in the past now," said Lovern.

"I think its caused us to be so much more bold for our faith," senior Jordan Smith said.

A few years ago, the teachers wouldn't have stayed inside. They would have been out at the flagpole praying with the students.

"Today they were strictly out there in support role. In the past, there was some interaction and connection. Since the consent decree, we've had to back off," Principal Lay said.

Lay says the case has caused more students to speak out about their faith, but it's difficult for some of the teachers to just sit back.

"There's a lot of teachers, faculty members here, administrators of Christian faith and believers. Sometimes we have to restrain ourselves, if you will, because we aren't able to do that," Lay added.

Lay says they'll continue to honor the agreement, but they won't stand in the way of the students exercising their own freedom of speech.

On Thursday, September 17, Lay and Freeman were met with the cheers of over 300 people, as they headed into a Pensacola federal courthouse. The two men faced jail time and fines if Judge M. Casey Rodgers finds they violated the 2008 agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, that was approved by the court.

The court was filled to capacity when the proceedings began. Christian protesters, students and faculty lined the streets outside with signs and megaphones, protesting the ACLU.

During testimony, Lay admitted asking Freeman to say a blessing at an athletic banquet.

"It was out of habit, if you will, just saying a blessing over the food," Lay said.

Over 700 Pace High School students took an unexcused absence Thursday to support their principal and coach. Pace High School senior Hayley Hinote says she believes the men did nothing wrong.

"It was more of a humble blessing that he offered, and I think that's a Southern tradition. It's something you don't really think twice about in our community, and I think that's honestly the way it was passed along, this is just something that came from within them as human beings and as Christians on top of that," said Hinote.

Federal Court Judge Casey Rodgers said the court did not find that Mr. Freeman and Mr. Lay violated the temporary injunction, with knowing intent, beyond a reasonable doubt. Her Honor handed down not guilty verdicts for both men.

Minutes after the defense council received the verdict and left the courtroom they were greeted by an emotional, and extremely excited crowd.

Mr. Lay thanked his family and supporters.

"Above all, above all, I want to thank the Chief Council, God the Father, God The Son, and God the Holy Spirit," said Lay.

"I thank the judicial system of America, and let's give God the glory," Freeman added.

Pace High School students say they came up with an idea of a T-shirt to support Mr. Lay and Mr. Freeman.

"It shows all the percentages of what a Patriot [the school's mascot] is made up of: 'Compassion, Dedication, Determination,' and then 'Spirit' is in bold because we're supporting the spirit of the Lord," said Caroline Brantley.

Darby Cowan says the shirts are to let everyone know that Lay and Freeman have had the support of their students from day one.

"Mr. Lay is a hero to me, and he's a wonderful man, and I felt like we needed to show our support in some way," said Cowan.

The students say they sold more than 600 T-shirts. Some of the money will be used to pay for the shirts, and what is left will go towards the Lay-Freeman defense fund.