FFRF stops prayer at Michigan high school graduation (July 17, 2012)

Hastings Area School District in Michigan refrained from including a prayer in their 2012 high school graduation ceremony after receiving a letter of complaint from FFRF.

For at least the past 10 years Hastings High School has included an illegal invocation in its official graduation program and selected a student to lead the prayer.

FFRF staff attorney Stephanie Schmitt wrote in an April 13, 2012, letter, ā€œThe Supreme Court has settled this matter ā€” high school graduations must be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students.ā€

In a July 17 reply, Superintendent Todd Geerlings assured FFRF that, ā€œthere were no prayers said at the Hastings High School graduation ceremony on May 25, 2012.ā€

Freedom From Religion Foundation