A Christian graduate from Campbell County High School in Kentucky was briefly withheld his diploma after deviating from his approved graduation speech to express his faith in Jesus Christ. Micah Price, the student in question, had prepared a speech which contained words of gratitude towards his “lord and savior Jesus Christ” and a call to action for other Christians to “stand up.” The school administrators gave the nod to his thanks but requested him to eliminate the call-to-action from his script.
However, Price chose to give his original, unedited speech. Following his speech, one of the school principals informed him that he would have to justify his deviation from the approved script to the school board. Consequently, Price’s diploma was delayed until after Memorial Day weekend.
Superintendent Shelli Wilson clarified that all speakers were made aware of possible repercussions should they deviate from their pre-approved speeches. Price, while expressing no ill feelings towards the administrators, stated that he held no regrets and would repeat his actions.
This event reignites the debate around expressions of religiosity in public settings, particularly in the context of prayer in public schools, religious monuments in courthouses, and religious symbols in military traditions.