High School Student Denied Diploma for Praising Jesus ‘Off-Script’
There have been some sketchy high school graduation speeches in the past, and many did not have their diplomas held back due to the nature of the student’s speech.
But throw an off-script praise of Jesus Christ into today’s society and you are sure to ruffle some feathers.
This very thing happened to recent graduate Micah Price of Campbell County High School in Alexandria, Kentucky.
Price didn’t call for revolutions, he did not promote violence or anything of the sort, instead he followed his faith in a message of support and love.
“Class, before another word leaves my mouth, I must give the honor, the praise and the glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Price said at the graduation ceremony held in Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Had this been said at a high school in the Seattle, Washington, area, protesters may have stormed the stage at the very mention of Jesus, but it wasn’t. This was in Kentucky, and Price’s words were met with resounding applause.
“Who in His very words tells us He is the light, He is the way, the truth and life. Class, anyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you that if you don’t have any of those things in your life and can’t seem to find the answer, then my Lord and Savior is your answer.”
How dare he.
In true modern-day academia fashion, the school’s administration was none to happy with his non-approved message, although his thanking and praising of Jesus was in the approved version of his speech.
Price was confronted by a school official, and posted a video on TikTok sharing about the encounter.
“After the speech was over, one of the principals came in, tapped me on the shoulder, very politely and professionally told me that I was going to have to go in front of the board and explain what I did because I went off script,” Price recalled.
The administration addressed that it was Price’s deviation from his pre-approved speech, which was the encouragement to others to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, that resulted in the initial denial of his diploma.
“All speakers were told that going off their submitted speech, or any unplanned choices at graduation, may have repercussions as they would at any school function,” Superintendent Shelli Wilson told WKRC.
“Off-program choices such as speech, signs and caps in support of any cause or religion, injecting inappropriate language, or political election statements could lead to something other than this outpouring of Christian faith.”
Price revealed that his entire off-script portion of the speech was in his original writings, but that school officials wanted it removed.
“They said that it was a public institution; and they didn’t want to divide their audience or my audience because I was speaking,” Price shared.
Thankfully, after the Memorial Day weekend of remembrance, Price did receive his diploma while thanking the Lord for answered prayers.
“Holding it is just an answered prayer, that’s all it is, just an answered prayer,” says Price.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
