Federal court bars student-led prayer at Illinois graduation

By The Associated Press

05.18.01

Printer-friendly page

PEORIA, Ill. — A federal judge has barred student-led prayer at a suburban high school graduation this weekend, marking the first time in the school's 80-year history that a prayer will not be offered during the ceremony.

Chief District Judge Joe B. McDade issued the temporary restraining order yesterday against Washington Community High School in a lawsuit filed a day earlier by school senior Natasha Appenheimer and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The judge said he would set a date next week for another hearing that could result in a permanent injunction against prayer at Washington's ceremonies.

School district officials defended the prayer on grounds that students, not administrators, were in charge of graduation and tailored the ceremony themselves.

School officials also said the invocation and benediction at the May 20 ceremony were to be given by the only student who volunteered to pray.

McDade said graduation is held on school grounds with school resources, making prayer at the ceremony unconstitutional.

"A school can't delegate to students, can't license students, to do what it cannot do," he said.

Washington school Superintendent Lee Edwards said graduation programs have been ordered, so officials will have to announce before the ceremony that the court has barred them from holding the invocation and benediction.

Edwards says he will consult the school board before about whether to fight the decision.

"Naturally, I'm disappointed in the decision and the end of an 80-year tradition at Washington High School," he said.

Appenheimer, who testified that she heard prayers at the previous three graduations, told the court she was opposed to anyone praying on her behalf. She said she was pleased by the ruling.

"We feel the courts certainly upheld my rights as an individual," said Appenheimer, who wore a cross and other symbols of Christianity.

The ACLU said the decision was a learning experience for students.

"This has been a great civics lesson for all involved," said Pamela Sumners, ACLU of Illinois staff attorney. "The students involved in this dispute ... learned that they can exercise and vindicate their rights in a thoughtful, considerate and mature fashion."

Update

Judge affirms ban on graduation prayer at Illinois high school
For first time in 80 years, graduating seniors stopped from praying during ceremony.  05.25.01

Related

Federal appeals court again upholds graduation prayer
Student statements at high school graduation don’t violate Constitution, 11th Circuit finds in second look at Florida case.  05.15.01