Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2000, Page 39

Description:	YouthFestSexual Purity was the topicof the day on Sept. 4, as YouthFest wasgoing on strong at the MonroeCounty Fairgrounds.Activities, music and games wenton throughout the day as well as atable where students could take apledge of sexual purity. According tofreshman Aaron Zull, it said youwould commit your life to Godwithout letting sex interfere and waituntil marriage to have sex.The pledge is (a card) you signsaying you will remain sexually pureuntil marriage. Even people who signit might have made a mistake in thepast, but sign saying that from then on,they will commit themselves towaiting, senior Kindra King said.In addition to promoting sexualpurity,YouthFest was an event wherestudents could get together and havefun hanging out.YouthFest is just a place where abunch of people get together for acommon reason and have fun, Zullsaid.The fun stuff included such activitiesas a mudslide, tie dying t-shirts, anautograph booth and live Christianmusic.The event featured the bands AllStar United, Buck, Plum, and thecrowd favorite Audio Adrenaline.The best part was being able to listen to thebands there; they were really good. (Also) hangingStanding in the middle ofa circle of students,junior Luke Raad leadsSee You at the Pole.David Wonderout with friends and having fun, senior Pam Howellsaid.By making the idea of sexual purity fun,YouthFest has continued to grow in popularityamong local students looking for things to do.by Tammy JarvisSee You at the PoleAn early morning breeze rustles the flag atop thesteel pole. A group of students stand at its base,hands linked.The purpose of this gathering was one notusually associated with school: prayer. On Sept. 15,however, students all across the country formedsimilar circles and were led in prayer by peerleaders. Junior Luke Raad, also the leader ofPanthers for Christ, led the event this year.Ive been doing it since the sixth grade, Raadsaid. Its become like a tradition.See You at the Pole was started by a smallgroup of teenagers in Burleson,Texas in the earlyI990s. Since then, young people all over the worldhave responded with enthusiasm.I wanted to go see other people from ourschool with similar beliefs, sophomore Mary Hillsaid.It was a really good experience.See You at the Pole is now a nationwide event,participated in by over three million people in all 50states, by Claire Barwise39
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/6551
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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