Posted on 08/27/2007 7:10:02 PM PDT by monomaniac
Valedictorian Threatened with Loss of Diploma over Religious Graduation Message Sues School
DENVER, CO, August 27, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Today, Liberty Counsel filed suit against Lewis Palmer School District on behalf of Erica Corder, a high school valedictorian who was forced to publicly apologize for sharing her Christian faith at graduation. Erica was one of fifteen valedictorians from the Lewis-Palmer High School class of 2006. For the past year, she has been the subject of criticism because the school continues to portray her as a student who engaged in improper conduct because she mentioned Jesus Christ during her speech.
Before graduation in May 2006, Principal Mark Brewer informed the valedictorians that they could choose one student to speak, or that all of them could deliver a 30-second graduation message. The students chose to have all fifteen valedictorians participate and chose a general topic for each speaker. Erica and one other student were chosen to give concluding messages. Each valedictorian orally presented a proposed speech to the principal before graduation.
During her 30-second message Erica spoke about her faith in Jesus Christ. Afterwards, she was escorted to see the assistant principal, who said she would not receive her diploma because of the speech she had given. Principal Brewer later indicated that her comments were "immature." He said that she could only receive her diploma if she apologized to the school community.
Erica prepared a statement saying the message was her own and was not endorsed by the principal. Brewer insisted that she include the words: "I realize that, had I asked ahead of time, I would not have been allowed to say what I did." Erica complied because she feared the school would withhold her diploma. She was also afraid that the school would put disciplinary notes in her file and would generate negative publicity, which could prevent her from becoming a school teacher. Principal Brewer sent out Erica's message in an e-mail to the entire high school community. Soon after, Erica received her diploma.
Liberty Counsel sent a letter on behalf of Erica to the Lewis Palmer School District Board of Education, explaining that her First Amendment rights had been violated, and requested that the district apologize for the e-mail that Erica was forced to write and institute a written policy to ensure that no future constitutional violations occur. The school board has thus far taken no remedial steps. Meanwhile, Erica continues to be the subject of public criticism from school officials.
Mathew Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: "Valedictorians have the right to express their religious viewpoints while at the graduation podium. School officials have no right to threaten young graduates that their diplomas will be withheld. The school district's action in forcing Erica Corder to write an e-mail apologizing to the community for exercising her right to free speech is shocking."
Separation of school and state BUMP!
Only fifteen. Talk about high standards.
Sue the pants off em!
The school needs to rethink their position on religion just a tad.
I think the Constitution says “freedom of” and not “freedom from”.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I will run upstairs and grab my little pocket edition of the Constitution and check you out.
:)
Whatever happened to “Congress shall make no law ... prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”?
They didn't violate any law. They just showed themselves to be prejudiced people who enjoy discriminating against groups which they perceive as weak.
Meanwhile the Muslim Valedictorian was lauded for her religious speech.
I think Mr. Brewer needs to find himself a new job.
The Supreme Court has already ruled that view-point discrimination is unconstitutional. She was well within her rights! And the school was out of line, and should be held accountable.
WTF? The definition of valedictorian is the student with the highest academic rank in a class who delivers the valedictory at graduation. Did they give give the speech to the remaining five classmates who didn't make it?
Of course, but I also realize this happened in the USA which is governed by the Constitution (usually).
I hope the settlement is in the 7 figure range.
FIGHT BACK
The Brewers of the world can’t live without us. Send these b* a message, LOUD AND CLEAR.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
15 valedictorians. How absurd. That’s like having 15 “First” prizes. This stinks to high Heaven, not just for the discrimination against Christian speech for the whole lousy set up.
15 valedictorians. How absurd. That’s like having 15 “First” prizes. This stinks to high Heaven, not just for the discrimination against Christian speech for the whole lousy set up.
I think the issue here is that students can express their spiritual views, but the school district cannot endorse a religious viewpoint. When the student deviated from the rehearsed speech, it appeared as though the Principal had approved of the message, when that was not the case. So they can either approve the message and look as though they’re taking a stance for a certain religion, or they can tell the student she can’t say that and look like they’re taking away her liberties.
What other job would he be able to do?
While you are checking your pocket edition please check
“Separation of church and state.”
It looks to me like it was an “educational (state run and paid for) facility” that put her on the podium. And excuse the he!! out of me if I say I am not Muslim. I am a member of the Judeo Christian belief.
Jewish. The law is the law and she chose to bend it as she pleased
I just excercised my right to freedom of speech and kept the separation of church and state apart from here.
Village Drooler.
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