After the Friday bell rings, releasing students from school, the media center doors are immediately crowded with members of the First Priority club. Eagerly waiting for the doors to open, conversation emerges. Excitement is in the air as the doors swing wide open. The media center is immediately filled. There were not enough chairs for all of the people who attended. Some on the floor, others sitting on their friends’ laps. The meeting begins with the three leaders, Lindsay Fulop, Rachel Ellison, and Riley Isham.
“Becoming a First Priority leader was important to me to show people that are students here that it’s a safe place,” said leader, Lindsay Fulop. “They can see us in the hallways and trust that they can follow us instead of others,” continued Fulop.
First priority is a Christian club, open to students can participate in. It is a student led club held in the media center on Fridays from 1:40 to 2:10. The meeting opens in prayer, then the leaders get started with an icebreaker. Everyone says their name and something about themselves.
“It is important for people to come to First Priority because Jesus is the most important part of our life and it’s our job to glorify His name and reach the lost,” said leader, Rachel Ellison.
After the icebreakers, the leaders transition into the readings. There is a First Priority of Tampa Bay app the attendees can download to follow along with in the meetings. Lindsay, Rachel, and Riley open the leader’s guide and read the scriptures aloud and ask the reflection questions.
“I feel like when they start asking questions after reading it gives people to actually express how they interpreted the reading and lets people help other people understand even when someone is afraid to ask what something means,” said sophomore, Kaidyn Workman.
First Priority is a club that helps students grow their connections and beliefs of God. Many students who attend feel as if the club helps to spark their desire to read or study their Bibles more often.
“Being surrounded by other Christians has helped me out know that I am not the only one and that there are other people I can count on. It is comforting to know there are other people in our high school that I can talk to and trust they will give Godly advice,” said freshman Elizabeth Fennig.
