![]() ![]() ![]() “Students retain their constitutional rights to freedom of expression from elementary school all the way through the graduation ceremony. “Graduation is a time for celebration not censorship,” said Keisha Russell, Counsel for First Liberty Institute. School officials have told Elizabeth to alter her valedictory speech to remove any reference to her religious viewpoint. School principal demands high school valedictorian remove references to faith from graduation addressĥ/26 Hillsdale, MI- Today, First Liberty Institute sent a letter to the principal at Hillsdale (MI) High School demanding that she allow a graduating senior, Elizabeth Turner, to reference her faith in her valedictorian speech. We hope that future graduates will be free from religious censorship.”Įlizabeth Turner said, “I’m grateful I will be able to share my faith with my classmates, and I pray that God uses this situation to advance His kingdom.” ![]() “Elizabeth is thrilled that she’ll be able to celebrate her graduation without being censored. “We are grateful to school officials for acting swiftly to ensure that religious students can freely exercise their right to express their faith in a graduation speech,” said Keisha Russell, Counsel for First Liberty Institute. School officials told Elizabeth to alter her valedictory speech to remove any reference to her religious viewpoint. Hillsdale, MI-After receiving a letter from First Liberty Institute, school officials at Hillsdale (MI) high school reversed a decision that prevented Elizabeth Turner, a graduating senior, from referencing her faith in her valedictory speech. I know this will frustrate you, but we have to be mindful of it.” These are your strong beliefs, but they are not appropriate for a speech in a school public setting. The issue: After reviewing Elizabeth’s speech, the school’s principal, Amy Goldsmith, highlighted these two paragraphs and told Elizabeth, “We need to be mindful about the inclusion of religious aspects. ![]()
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