Post by Nikkol on Aug 30, 2007 12:20:56 GMT -5
Valedictorian sues over ‘Jesus’ speech
Diploma withheld after she shared faith
By BRIAN NEWSOME
THE GAZETTE
August 30, 2007 - 12:03AM
A 2006 Lewis-Palmer High School graduate who mentioned Jesus Christ during a valedictorian speech and had her diploma withheld until she wrote an apologetic letter, has sued the district for allegedly violating her free speech.
Erica Corder was chosen to conclude a commencement speech shared by 15 valedictorians at the Tri-Lakes-area high school in May 2006. Although students’ 30-second speeches were first rehearsed for the principal, she added evangelical comments when her turn came during the ceremony:
“We are all capable of standing firm and expressing our own beliefs, which is why I need to tell you about someone who loves you more than you could ever imagine. He died for you on a cross over 2,000 years ago, yet was resurrected and is living today in heaven. His name is Jesus Christ. If you don’t already know him personally I encourage you to find out more about the sacrifice he made for you so that you now have the opportunity to live in eternity with him.”
Corder’s diploma was withheld and she was ordered to meet with then-principal Mark Brewer to get it.
He threatened to withhold the diploma until she apologized for the speech, according to the lawsuit and the family’s statements to The Gazette. She did not apologize for the content, but did agree to write a letter of explanation for her actions. “I’m sorry I didn’t share my plans with Mr. Brewer or the other valedictorians ahead of time,” she wrote.
In the lawsuit, Corder contends her First Amendment rights of free speech were violated when the district “refused to present her with her diploma unless she issued an apology for mentioning Jesus Christ in her graduation speech” and also required speeches to be rehearsed. The suit also says her 14th Amendment rights to equal protection were violated, in part because district practices “treat religious speech differently than nonreligious speech.”
Robin Adair, the district’s spokeswoman, Superintendent Raymond Blanch, and Board President Jes Raintree did not return phone messages left Wednesday evening. Board Vice President Dee Dee Eaton deferred a call from The Gazette to Adair.
In an e-mailed statement to the Associated Press, Adair said:
“The events that are the subject of the case occurred over a year ago, at which time a complete review of the situation was performed by the District.
“Since then, representatives of the District have met on several occasions with the parents and the former student.
“While we are disappointed that this matter has resulted in litigation, we are confident that all actions taken by school officials were constitutionally appropriate. As a result, we intend to vigorously defend the claims.
“Beyond that, it is the District's policy not to comment on pending litigation.”
Corder, now 19 and a student at Wheaton College in Illinois, said Wednesday, “The main reason I did this is just because I want to make sure the school understands what they did was wrong.”
Her father, Steven, said that the lawsuit was a last resort. Steven and Thea Corder had asked the district to retract the disciplinary actions against Erica and adopt policies to protect student speech and eliminate confusion.
“Really, our hope is that any valedictorian would know clearly that they can speak about what is important to them,” Steven Corder said. “It’s really so that the Constitution can be turned to as the governing document in this type of situation.”
The Corders have retained Liberty Counsel, which specializes in cases involving religious freedom. It has offices in Washington, D.C., Florida and Virginia.
The suit also seeks unspecified damages.
Diploma withheld after she shared faith
By BRIAN NEWSOME
THE GAZETTE
August 30, 2007 - 12:03AM
A 2006 Lewis-Palmer High School graduate who mentioned Jesus Christ during a valedictorian speech and had her diploma withheld until she wrote an apologetic letter, has sued the district for allegedly violating her free speech.
Erica Corder was chosen to conclude a commencement speech shared by 15 valedictorians at the Tri-Lakes-area high school in May 2006. Although students’ 30-second speeches were first rehearsed for the principal, she added evangelical comments when her turn came during the ceremony:
“We are all capable of standing firm and expressing our own beliefs, which is why I need to tell you about someone who loves you more than you could ever imagine. He died for you on a cross over 2,000 years ago, yet was resurrected and is living today in heaven. His name is Jesus Christ. If you don’t already know him personally I encourage you to find out more about the sacrifice he made for you so that you now have the opportunity to live in eternity with him.”
Corder’s diploma was withheld and she was ordered to meet with then-principal Mark Brewer to get it.
He threatened to withhold the diploma until she apologized for the speech, according to the lawsuit and the family’s statements to The Gazette. She did not apologize for the content, but did agree to write a letter of explanation for her actions. “I’m sorry I didn’t share my plans with Mr. Brewer or the other valedictorians ahead of time,” she wrote.
In the lawsuit, Corder contends her First Amendment rights of free speech were violated when the district “refused to present her with her diploma unless she issued an apology for mentioning Jesus Christ in her graduation speech” and also required speeches to be rehearsed. The suit also says her 14th Amendment rights to equal protection were violated, in part because district practices “treat religious speech differently than nonreligious speech.”
Robin Adair, the district’s spokeswoman, Superintendent Raymond Blanch, and Board President Jes Raintree did not return phone messages left Wednesday evening. Board Vice President Dee Dee Eaton deferred a call from The Gazette to Adair.
In an e-mailed statement to the Associated Press, Adair said:
“The events that are the subject of the case occurred over a year ago, at which time a complete review of the situation was performed by the District.
“Since then, representatives of the District have met on several occasions with the parents and the former student.
“While we are disappointed that this matter has resulted in litigation, we are confident that all actions taken by school officials were constitutionally appropriate. As a result, we intend to vigorously defend the claims.
“Beyond that, it is the District's policy not to comment on pending litigation.”
Corder, now 19 and a student at Wheaton College in Illinois, said Wednesday, “The main reason I did this is just because I want to make sure the school understands what they did was wrong.”
Her father, Steven, said that the lawsuit was a last resort. Steven and Thea Corder had asked the district to retract the disciplinary actions against Erica and adopt policies to protect student speech and eliminate confusion.
“Really, our hope is that any valedictorian would know clearly that they can speak about what is important to them,” Steven Corder said. “It’s really so that the Constitution can be turned to as the governing document in this type of situation.”
The Corders have retained Liberty Counsel, which specializes in cases involving religious freedom. It has offices in Washington, D.C., Florida and Virginia.
The suit also seeks unspecified damages.
