DENVER—A student who was punished after encouraging others to know Jesus Christ during her high school graduation speech is appealing the dismissal of her free-speech lawsuit against her school district.
Lewis-Palmer High School officials in Monument had screened Erica Corder’s 2006 speech, but she changed her text and urged the audience to consider the Christian faith.
Before giving Corder her diploma, the principal required Corder to write a letter explaining her actions and acknowledging the remarks were her personal views.
A federal judge last summer found the case was moot because Corder graduated. He also said school officials’ actions didn’t violate Corder’s rights because her remarks were school-sponsored, rather than private speech.
The appeal was filed Thursday with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.
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Information from: The Gazette,
