NY Middle School Censors Graduation Speech

A middle school student in New York who was told she could not include religious references in her graduation speech is appealing an adverse judicial decision. 

The student, whose name has been withheld, was the co-president of her 8th grade graduating class in the Taconic Hills Central School District in Craryville, New York.  She chose to include a blessing at the end of her address, which school officials decided “sounded too religious.” 

The student  paraphrased Numbers 6:24-26 in saying:

“As we say our goodbyes and leave middle school behind, may the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; and lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” 

The student filed a suit in federal court claiming a violation of her freedom of speech.  A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against her.  An appeal is now being made to the full 2nd Circuit. 

“Silencing religious voices in public schools tells students that faith is something to be ashamed of,” says Jeremy Tedesco of the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing the student in the case.  “The First Amendment does not allow public schools to require students to put a lid on their expressions of faith.”