Colorado Student Files Lawsuit Over Commencement Speech That Mentioned Jesus

A student who said she was told she wouldn't get her diploma unless she apologized for a commencement speech in which she mentioned Jesus has filed a lawsuit alleging her free speech rights were violated.

UPDATE 5/29/09: Appeals court rules against student; on to Supreme Court?

UPDATE 3/12/09: Appeals court in Denver to consider overturning a lower court's approval of a penalty imposed by the school district.

From "Colorado Student Files Lawsuit Over Commencement Speech That Mentioned Jesus" Associated Press, posted 8/31/07 at FOXNews.com

The school district contends its actions were "constitutionally appropriate."

Erica Corder was one of 15 valedictorians at Lewis-Palmer High School in 2006. All were invited to speak for 30 seconds at the graduation ceremony. When it was Corder's turn, she encouraged the audience to get to know Jesus Christ.

Corder had not included those remarks during rehearsals.

Corder's lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, said Principal Mark Brewer told her to prepare a public apology or she would not receive her diploma. She was still allowed to graduate.

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