Kids In The News

    July 2006

    Erica Corder, an 18-year-old graduating senior at Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, used her commencement speech to speak about the death and resurrection of Christ and to urge listeners to learn more about his sacrifice. After the valedictory address, however, school officials told Corder she would not receive her diploma until she wrote an e-mail to the school community's students and parents, apologizing for her comments.

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    Our hats go off to Brittany McComb from Henderson, Nevada. She earned the 2006 valedictorian at Foothill High School. She was the top of her class graduating with a 4.7 GPA. She was asked to address the other graduates during the graduation ceremony.

    She wrote her speech from the depths of her heart. Some teens mention their success because of parents, friends and even teachers. Brittany knew that her main strength came from her Lord Jesus Christ. So she decided that she must give thanks to her Lord. She also added some Biblical references that helped her stay the course in her studies during her high school days.

    She gave a copy of her graduating speech to the school administrators; they censored some of the Biblical references. They also censored the single reference to Christ. Then the school officials handed the speech over to the ACLU for final approval. The ACLU gave the approval to Brittany’s speech without the references to the Bible and Christ. Brittany was warned that if she gave her original written speech they would turn off her.

    What would you have done if you were in Brittany’s situation?

    Brittany stepped to the mike and began her original speech. When the school administrator realized she was about to speak the name of Jesus “Christ,” her mike went dead. The School officials silenced her right to freedom of speech. The angry crowd of 400 jeered for several minutes. The ACLU was happy. They had silenced another Christian.

    “I went through four years of school at Foothill and they taught me logic and they taught me freedom of speech. God’s the biggest part of my life. Just like other valedictorians thank their parents, I wanted to thank my lord and savior,” Brittany said. Because she refused to bow down to the ACLU’s idol of gold, she did not get her wish. She was censored.

    This young heroine deserves our praise and a big thank you from Just 4 Kids Magazine. We believe in free speech. Our forefathers came to America for the right to Worship God and the right to share our belief with others without being silenced or persecuted.

    Full article and picture of Brittany can be viewed by clicking HERE

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