Student Delivers Graduation Prayer, Ignoring Scheduled Moment of Silence

CBN and Wall of Separation both report (with somewhat different flavors) on graduation ceremonies last week at Louisiana's Bastrop High School. The school's graduation traditionally included a prayer, but this year for the first time one of the graduating seniors complained about the tradition. Upon advice of its attorney, the school board reprinted the graduation programs to substitute Moment of Silence for the prayer. However when graduating senior Laci Rae Mattice stood at the podium to lead the moment of silence, she instead recited the Lord's Prayer, asking those who shared her beliefs to bow their heads. Not surprisingly, the episode has generated rather different responses around the country. Matthew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, said that students have the right to express religious as well as secular views at graduation.  Meanwhile, the Freedom from Religion Foundation has offered Damon Fowler, the student who originally complained about the prayer, its $1000 student activist award.