THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 5, 1994 TAG: 9412050062
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Maria Diaz might psych herself up for that math test coming up at Brandon Middle School in Virginia Beach.
Whitney Perry might say a silent prayer asking God to ``look out for my friends and my family and myself'' at Granby High in Norfolk.
And Perry's classmate, Holly Higgins, might just unwind a bit.
Across Hampton Roads, thousands of students have the opportunity to observe a ``moment of silence'' at the start of the school day. Virginia is one of 19 states that allow such activity, according to Pat Robertson's American Center for Law and Justice in Virginia Beach.
Many more students in the nation might get that chance.
President Clinton, seeking a compromise in the escalating debate on school prayer, has said he could support a constitutional amendment permitting a moment of silence.
That doesn't mollify many advocates of spoken prayer in school. But some observers say it's the best answer to a thorny dilemma.
``Given our cultural context, which is increasingly diversified, that's the best we can do at this point,'' said the Rev. Scott E. Davis, chaplain of Virginia Wesleyan College. ``I would not want to see anything more than that.''
Students and principals at local schools that observe the moment say it's a good way to start the day. But few say they engage in prayer.
``It's a good idea,'' said Tripp Nofplot, a senior at Granby. ``You need to get your thoughts together and set your goals for the day.''
Most students say they use the time to get organized mentally. ``I think about what tests I have today and what homework I'm supposed to do,'' said Angela Clark, another senior at Granby. ``I go over the agenda for the day, and I make sure I have everything ready.''
Higgins, also a senior, said, ``That's the point where I relax a bit. But if it's Monday, I pray that I get through the end of the week. Or `Please let me pass that test.' ''
Perry doesn't always offer soulful prayers, either. Sometimes, ``I think I have only six more bells to go.''
Virginia law allows schools to ``establish the daily observance of one minute of silence in each classroom'' permitting students to ``meditate, pray or engage in any other silent activity which does not interfere with, distract or impede other pupils in the like exercise of individual choice.''
Observance varies across the region. In Norfolk, spokesman George D. Raiss said most elementary schools have a moment of silence. In Chesapeake, fewer than 20 percent of all schools do, spokesman Tom Cupitt said.
At Granby, the moment sometimes lasts barely 10 seconds. Sometimes it is announced, sometimes not, by the student ``newscasters'' televised across the school; but there is always a short pause for reflection.
At Brandon, the principal always announces the moment, which lasts up to a minute. ``I say, `Please be seated for a moment of uninterrupted silence,' '' Principal Jonathan L. Harnden said.
He might gear the moment to specific events, such as Veterans' Day, when he said: ``Would you please pause with me and, in your own way, through thought or prayer, reflect on the sacrifices our Armed Forces have made?''
At Granby, ``it isn't intended for prayer,'' said Michael J. Caprio, who started the practice when he took over in the fall. `` I did it to help students gather their thoughts and figure out what direction they're going in the morning.''
Both say it's a valuable addition.
``I see it as the perfect thing,'' Harnden said. ``It allows you to do what you want to do: You can hum a song to yourself or say a prayer or sit and do nothing.'' MEMO: Main story on page A1.
KEYWORDS: RELIGION SCHOOL PRAYER by CNB