My high school graduation was so long ago
(13 years to be exact) that I cannot recall one word that our
valedictorian said in his speech. I'm sure some inspirational words
were said, and we were told to go and make our way in the world. As
well thought-out as the speech likely was, it did not become a news
story.
That's not the case with a valedictorian's speech at Liberty High
School in Liberty, South Carolina. When Roy Costner IV approached the podium, he
ripped up his preapproved speech. The crowd seemed a bit stunned, not
knowing what to expect next. That's when Costner began reciting a
prayer, the Lord's Prayer, word for word. Many students in the
audience began applauding. The teachers and faculty members seated on
the stage behind Costner did not visibly react.
So why did Costner choose this time to say a prayer? The stunt was
apparently in protest of the new decision made by the Pickens County
School District to no longer include prayer at graduation ceremonies.
As you can hear from the students' applause, many of them agreed with
Costner pulling the switcheroo and standing up for what he believed
was right.
John Eby, a spokesperson for the Pickens County School District,
said, "The bottom line is: We're not going to punish students
for expressing their religious faiths." The YouTube video of Costner's prayer speech has been
viewed more than 245,000 times so far since being uploaded just three
days ago. Most commenters think highly of Costner and his courage to
exercise his First Amendment right. Other viewers disagree and do not
think that the graduation was the appropriate time or place to
express his religious views to the student body and their guests.
Costner God bless you. Gay people can openly display their request for equality why then should anyone fault this young man for defending his faith. God bless you Costner. I'll say it again and again. We need more people to stand up for Our Faith. Jesus is Lord.
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