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."
I hope that Erica similarly gets to dictate an email in the Principal's name highlighting his bonehead actions that will be sent school district wide.
She’s doing the right thing. I hope that she’s successful.
Actually, I am an attorney, that’s who! And as such it is my job to argue. But it’s also my job to uphold the idea that while I may disagree with a ruling by the court, that is the law until it is changed.
“Erica was one of fifteen valedictorians from the Lewis-Palmer High School class of 2006.”
Do you think they had to get fifteen in order to have their perfect mix of diversity and gender?
15 first place finishers? Only in PC land.
Ah so if a child says Jesus Christ in a speech, that means the state establishes an official religion
It has never been an issue where my grandchildren go to school. At least, now when there is a prayer, hopefully no one will try to sue.
GASP! Oh, horrors! A valedictorian spoke of her Christian faith! Oh, the humanity! Oh, the terrifying threat to our “religious freedom!” Call out the National Guard! Call for a lockdown! Someone call Chertoff, this is a threat to our “national security!” (sarcasm off)
If a Muslim valedictorian had made a speech in favor of allahu fubar and called for an uprising against the “infidel” Christians and Jews, the principal and school district would have fallen all over themselves to praise “tolerance”, “diversity”, and “muliculturalism”. I hope the school district loses the suit big time and has to publicly apologize to the courageous Christian student.
That’s encouraging.
A student can say that he/she owes all their success in school to Jesus, Allah, Satan, whatever, and it’s not a violation of the 1st Amendment’s, so called, “Separation of Church and State” (Yes, I realize those words don’t appear in the text) What would be a violation under the 1st Amendment as incorporated by the 14th, is if the school endorses the student’s message. That is all I am saying. Don’t read anything further into it.
Did she have to submit her speech text prior to giving it?
Our school (middle school) does require student to submit their speeches.
If she was not informed that the speech was inappropriate then she had every right to give it.
Regardless of the consequences she is to be applauded for standing by her faith. Her reward may not be in this life time, but God has a long memory.
My only concern is that there has to be such a law.
Maybe they all had 4.0 grade point averages. Some schools would then pick the child with the most credits, but maybe they all had the same credits, or maybe the school didn’t want to use that criteria.
Sorry, no. 14 races, plus one GLBT.
I hope she sues the hell out of them.
“If a Muslim valedictorian had made a speech in favor of allahu fubar and called for an uprising against the “infidel” Christians and Jews, the principal and school district would have fallen all over themselves to praise “tolerance”, “diversity”, and “muliculturalism”.”
I don’t know where you live, but at the school my son attends the Muslim would be arrested.
“Only fifteen. Talk about high standards.”
I personally believe in just one valedictorian (and that’s the way it is at my son’s school), but at some schools they declare everybody over a 4.0 GPA valedictorian. AP classes and college level courses are weighted, making it possible to have better than a 4.0.
I personally believe in just one valedictorian (and that’s the way it is at my son’s school), but at some schools they declare everybody over a 4.0 GPA valedictorian. AP classes and college level courses are weighted, making it possible to have better than a 4.0.
Even if she had been informed it was "inappropriate", it was inappropriate for the school to do so.
I was being half sarcastic, because in most school districts these days, it seems that everyone bends overbackwards toward muzzies to avoid “offending” them, but don’t give a hoot if they offend Christian or Jewish students.
;’)
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