www.LC.org

Hampton, TN – After Liberty Counsel intervened, graduation ceremonies at Hampton High School and two other schools in the same district included prayer in the graduation ceremonies without incident. At Hampton High, the class president gave a prayer before a packed-to-capacity crowd that concluded the prayer with a standing ovation.

Originally, Principal Dale Campbell said that any students who pray or even attempt to pray would be stopped, escorted from the building by police, and arrested. The Hampton High School class president, who expressed her desire to acknowledge God in prayer at her graduation, received support from Liberty Counsel, which sent a letter to the school board demanding that it protect her and other students’ free speech. The board then overrode the principal.

Liberty Counsel has published a pamphlet called Students’ Rights on Public School Campuses, which explains the constitutional rights of students during the year. Liberty Counsel also offers a free legal memo on its website, www.LC.org, regarding graduation prayers and the rights of students.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “We are pleased that the students were able to pray during graduation. It is shocking that the principal threatened students with arrest if they prayed. The school board did the right thing in overriding the principal and honoring the free speech rights of students.”

Find us on Facebook

Tweet this Press Release to your friends or follow us on

Join Freedom Federation   and view us on