POLAND – Monday marked the first time students and staff had the option of paying tribute to their flag and country at Poland Regional High School.

About 700 students assembled in the gymnasium before classes as a prelude to saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Most of those students gave classmate Mike Maberry a standing ovation for initiating and following through on a proposal to bring the pledge into the school.

“I don’t know if I’ll say it every day,” said freshman Caelyn Callahan. “But just knowing that we have that choice now is important. I never really thought about it before last Friday.”

Poland high and middle school students participated in discussions about the pledge and the U.S. flag in their humanities and social studies classes Friday. Callahan said that her class talked about instances in which students were punished for not saying the pledge and reasons for opposing the pledge.

The school’s new protocol for reciting the pledge calls for voluntary participation in the lobby before classes begin each morning. However, the rules bar any disruption or harassment.

Principal Derek Pierce complimented Maberry and the rest of the students and staff Monday for going through what he described as “the messy process of democracy” so that opposing views could be addressed. Maberry’s proposal surfaced last spring and won final approval last month.

Monday’s assembly for Poland Regional High School and Whittier Middle School students began with a powerful a cappella rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by junior Ashley Christy. Speakers who shared their thoughts on patriotism included Pierce, Staff Sgt. Patrick Flanagan, Chuck Mahaleris, staff assistant to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, and Maberry.

The senator had a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol last week in recognition of the school and Maberry. Collins was unable to attend, but Mahaleris presented Maberry with a letter of appreciation.

“There’s no better morning to be a patriot,” said Pierce, with tongue-in-cheek reference to Sunday’s Super Bowl game. He then gave high tribute to Maberry for his initiative and courage.

Maberry was given the honor of inviting students to join him in the lobby and leading them in saying the pledge. Upon cue, the nearly deafening noise of several hundred students milling into the lobby fell to immediate silence. The pledge was said, and students dispersed to their classes.

“It’s amazing how much difference just one student can make,” said Mahaleris, leaving the school.