Posted on 12/16/2004 5:20:06 AM PST by sasquatch
WEED - When the senior class at Weed High School was told it could not paint a Nativity scene on a window, student body president Jessica Hofer knew from her senior project research that the students had a constitutional right to do so and with her help they did.
By school tradition, classes decorate the school for seasonal holidays with the work judged, earning the class "spirit points." The designs are approved by faculty advisors before the actual work begins. This year senior class president Becky James and her classmates designed a simple Nativity set painting for a small window at the entrance of the school. However, the design was not approved.
When student body president Jessica Hofer heard about it, she knew from her personal senior project research that the students had a right to put a Nativity scene on the school.
"I though that the ruling of no Nativity set was unfair, especially when one class had 'Happy Kwanzaa' approved and another class a Menorah," Hofer said. "To say you can't have a Christian symbol at Christmas but allow other religious symbols is discrimination."
Hofer said when she approached Principal Mike Matheson with her concern she sensed this was not a case of discrimination, rather one involving misunderstanding in the interpretation of the Educational Code. She provided him a copy of a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that allows student initiated free expression of religion at school.
"Our First Amendment rights give us freedom of religion, not freedom from religion," Hofer said. "Mr. Matheson said he would allow the Nativity scene if we took a poll of the class and the seniors were for it. We did, and 43 of our 45 seniors signed it saying they were in favor of the Nativity scene. Two seniors were absent that day."
Senior advisor Gretta Brown said what Jessica Hofer did was a courageous act.
"She took a safe but big risk in going to the principal to correct his interpretation," Brown said. "As her senior project advisor, what impresses me most is that her education is applied beyond the classroom."
Hofer said her research paper is on the First Amendment with regard to the separation of church and state. She read a lot of the primary documents of the writings of the founding fathers of our constitution and concludes that their intent was to allow the free exercise of religion.
"Our nation was founded on Christian values and the Ten Commandments are the basis for our law," she said. "I think our schools and society misunderstand the First Amendment. The separation of church and state is not mentioned by our founding fathers but we hear it repeated so many times that people begin to believe it."
Hofer said the ACLU has done a good job of changing America's view with law suits. "They have made things illegal that should not be illegal," she said.
However, she said the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) also is doing a good job of preserving moral values and challenging the ACLU. Hofer has received some of her information from the legal work of the ACLJ.
Hofer said she is very pleased with the outcome of her experience at Weed High School: The senior class put up its simple Nativity set painting on the window of the school and won first place for its effort. She also was also assured that in the future all student initiated free expression of religion will be allowed at the school.
Brown said that as part of her senior project Hofer is writing and directing a play for History Day relating to the First Amendment. The play has a cast of four students and Brown fully expects it will go all the way to state competition.
By JOHN DIEHM
43 of our 45 seniors signed it saying they were in favor of the Nativity scene. Two seniors were absent that day."
It's also really stupid. We are celebrating a Christian holiday but are only allowed to show non-Christian decorations. Absoloute stupidity.
I really, really hope this young woman goes on to law school. She would make an excellent addition to a Supreme Court some day.
On a tangential note, I would've given a lot to go to Weed High School. Or design their t-shirts.
Bumping this all day long....
Check out what is going on in the Plano, Texas, school district. Unbelievable!
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41955
Appropriate list, please.
Thanks.
It is also a clear violation of civil rights enjoyed, indeed encouraged, for other religions in the same public schools!
I don't remember that the phony "wall of separation" bu*****T mentioned that it applied to Christians only.
Going to Weed high only leads to stronger stuff at Mainline college.
Yes, read that earlier.....that should trigger massive civil disobedience on the part of all students and parents....what are they going to do, expel the entire student body?
No, they'll call the cops and have them tasered and arrested.
Doubtful.....would make poor press
I don't think many school officials are smart enough to realize something like that would make poor press to tell you the truth.
Look at what happened to that girl in Philadelphia. There's going to be hell to pay on that one.
I had in mind having the parents there at the school for the party as well, all wearing Christmas attire
Hope for the future!
How did Kwanzaa get in the same league as other religious observations. Kwanzaa is not a celebration of any religion that I know of but a political in your face statement against the white man's Christmas.
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