KY school cancels graduation prayer

Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:00 pm
By: By the Associated Press

The Messenger 05.15.13

STANFORD, Ky. (AP) — A central Kentucky principal says student-led prayer won’t be part of the school’s graduation ceremony later this month.
Principal Tim Godbey told The Advocate-Messenger the decision stems from six students objecting to prayer being said at commencement.
Senior Class president Jonathan Hardwick doesn’t want to break tradition and told WKYT-TV the school might not be able to sanction it, but officials can’t stop him from praying.
Senior Bradley Chester is an atheist and says another person’s religion shouldn’t be forced on him.
Many in the community have expressed a desire to keep student-led prayer.
Board of Education member Theresa Long said in a Facebook post she has gotten several calls and emails about it. “I am here to set the story straight about this situation,” Long wrote. “There is a law mandated by the federal government that we cannot pray or force prayer on anyone! The students have voted each year, and this year there happened to be students voting against prayer during graduation. It is not LCHS, it is not the board, it is a law! Yes, this saddens me. I also understand that with freedom of speech, prayer could be incorporated by that speaker!”

,