On Monday, a crowd of ministers, business leaders, elected officials and others fanned throughout Gardendale High School to pray for the students and staff who will soon be occupying the new facility.

GHS principal Dr. Anna Vacca gave the group free reign for one hour to roam the halls, classrooms, cafeteria, courtyard, basketball courts, parking lots and all other areas of the new school.

The prayer walk, led by the North Jefferson Ministry Association, drew out about 40 people to pray for the school, which could open as early as mid-February, according to Vacca.

“We feel like it’s important to have God’s blessings on this school,” Vacca told the crowd after thanking them for attending.

Curt Sanford, president of the North Jefferson Ministry Association, said that students have a right to have a spiritual and a protected place to go to school.

Read the full article in Wednesday’s edition of the North Jefferson News, or revisit the Web site later this week.