At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, Bellefonte High Prayer Group began their twentieth year.
The BAHS Student Prayer Group meets every Monday at 7:30 a.m. in Room 126 before the school day begins, and they are run by math teacher Mr. Matthew McDermit and art teacher Mrs. Heather McClure.
Over 20 years ago, a group of students formed the group after they spoke to the principal looking for access to an open classroom to pray in.
Former BAHS teacher Mrs. Ruth Jackson agreed to have the students into her classroom to pray. This continued until her retirement in 2016. Then after Mrs. Jackson’s retirement, Mr. McDermit took over and has been hosting the group in his classroom for 20 years.
“The purpose of the Student Prayer Group is for students to be encouraged by and pray for each other, as well as their peers, teachers, school, churches, and community,” Mr. McDermit said.
When the group is faced with handling different opinions or views that people have over the beliefs, they are very open to hearing them.
“We certainly welcome questions and differing opinions. … In the end, nobody forces their view or their faith on anyone else, and at times we must agree to disagree,” Mr. McDermit said.
Though some people are new to the Student Prayer Group, nobody is argumentative or forces another to agree with them.
“We all come from different backgrounds and desires for our life and of course, different views,” Mrs. McClure said.
The Student Prayer Group not only teaches students and others, but brings students together and creates new friendships.
“My favorite thing about prayer group would have to be the chance to grow in my relationship with God, as well as having a community to support me and help me along the way,” freshman Madison Holzerman said.
The main intentions of Student Prayer Group are to grow students’ faith, and encourage the students to pray for one another and people around them.
