Although I recognize your argument as not being without merit, especially in the current age of hysterical false claims regarding the the meaning of the infamous Jeffersonian quote "separation of church and state", if it is the custom of the school to reward the top academic achiever with the chance to address their classmates before they go their separate ways.
It's hypocritical to tell the student he or she is not permitted to mention the things that student feels have been most instrumental in having achieved that honor if they are not politically correct according to the preferred religion of humanism preached by the ACLU.
As long as she was not proselytizing, it most certainly is a restraint on her freedom of speech to tell her she is not allowed to mention her primary motivation in life-- just because it differs from that of others.
She should be allowed to say that she "Owes it all to Satan/Allah", if that is what she believes--Which, I bet, the school would be far more sensitive in censoring out, since they know CAIR is in bed with the ACLU, and will raise a very loud noise that can't be dismissed with the wave of a hand that the left has become accustomed to doing with Christianity.
As far as her "reneging on her promise", as you claim, I see nothing in the article that says she promised to leave the censored parts out. Only that they were nixed and the speech handed back to her with a warning that the mike would be cut if she did not comply with their liberalfascist demands. The fact that they obviously had their finger on the power switch would seem to indicate that she gave no indication of passive compliance by bowing down to the pressure of the Brave New World the left is foisting upon this nation--where the preferred form of censorship is SELF-censorship, then going forth and acting as part of the system by pressuring those around you to comply with accepted speech, behaviors and beliefs.
This young lady, standing there giving a speech that no one could hear, has seen to it that at least THIS commencement will not be as forgetable as you think they are.
I wouldn't be surprised that some would-be future liberal automaton may rethink just how "enlightened" such a way of life is, and remember her example and stand for freedom.
I pray that God richly bless this young lady for having the courage to place her convictions over the threats of the ACLU atheists and school administrators.
"The school is well within its rights to edit her speech. That has nothing to do with 'freedom.'"
I beg your pardon?!? Since when can a school sensor what my child says. As long as its not racist or incites a riot (fire in a crowded movie theather), and referencing Christ certainly does NOT qualify.