This year Akins is bringing back a program that was started once before, with the girl’s basketball head coach, Helena Martin, as one of the major sponsors of the “Fellow Christian Athletes” organization.

The FCA meetings are every Wednesday mornings at 8:00 a.m. in room 111.

“It’s a time when people can come together and worship/talk about God,” senior Jesus Ramirez said.

The FCA program was brought up to Martin by some of the “student leaders” like, Ramirez, and senior Jerad Loyd, along with several other students.

“I am overcome with emotion when I see so many young people wanting to live a life reflective of Jesus,” Martin said.

The FCA encourages any, and all students to join the weekly meetings even though the student is not involved in any sports on campus.

“Everyone is welcome to come to our meetings. We want every student to come and represent themselves,” Martin said.

After FCA’S first few meetings, students who attended seemed to be a lot more interactive and comfortable with expressing their feelings and ideas with each other.

“There was a huge turnout for the first few meetings,” Loyd said. “We hope to keep it that way.”

The program was set out to help fellow classmates feel supported through any problems, hardships, and dilemmas.

“I want our students to know that someone is near that cares about them as a person;” Martin said.

Both the leaders and sponsors always welcome open discussions without judgment, and have open minds towards anything students have to say.

“I want kids to feel free to live a good life,” Martin said. “I want them to know that just because society praises negative behavior, that it is okay to be the kid who chooses to stay pure, without drugs, alcohol and sex.”

After the first few meetings both the members and leaders have felt positively influenced and effected by the program.

“I’m just really glad that we started something like this at school,” Ramirez said. “That there is something for Christians and non-believers alike, to come together and fellowship.”