While other kids rushed home from school when the last bell rang, Farrell seventh-graders Daina Owens and Tayona Johnson chose to stay.

The 12-year-olds didn't stay because they needed tutoring or had to serve detention. They stayed because they wanted to pray.

"I wanted to pray for my school because I hear we're having troubles," Daina said.

The girls joined others Wednesday around the county and nation for "See You at the Pole," a yearly event of student prayer around school flagpoles coordinated by the National Network of Youth Ministries.

For the past 13 years, millions of young people have prayed for their schools as part of the National Day of Student Prayer, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and their countries.

For the fourth year, students and administrators in Farrell joined hands at the prayer pole and offered specific prayers for soldiers, teachers and local jobs.

Rahn Owens of Farrell said he wanted to bring his grandchildren -- Dallas, 10, Jesse, 8, and Malike, 5, -- because praying was "a good thing."

Ninth-graders Jackson Long, 14 and Adam Brooks, 14, said they wanted to come and support the school, the country and the Lord.

"I want to pray that the soldiers in Iraq stay safe," Adam said.

"I pray for the teachers and the people in the school and everyone's family," Jackson said.

Collectively, they prayed and sang spiritual medleys. Keith Claiborne, a musically inclined senior, sang a rendition of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly."

Other songs of praise were chanted before another prayer closed out the 15-minute session.

"Young people, you are beautiful to stick around. I thank God for you," said the Rev. Ralph Newell, who assisted at the prayer. His wife, the Rev. JoAnn Newell was persistent in organizing the event.

"Though only a handful showed up this year, it was still a great service because the young people remained after school," he said.