Haas Hall Academy has graduation prayers no more (July 2, 2013)

The Freedom From Religion Foundation put an end to graduation prayers at a Fayetteville, Ark., high school.

A concerned local resident contacted FFRF after Haas Hall Academy's 2013 graduation began with a prayer. FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott contacted Haas Hall Academy Superintendent Martin Schoppmeyer, informing him Supreme Court rulings have struck down graduation prayers and protect the rights of conscience of minorities, including the non-religious.

"It makes no difference how many students want prayer or wouldn't be offended by prayer at their graduation ceremony," Elliott wrote.

The school's counsel emailed Elliott on July 2. "There will be no prayer at the upcoming Haas Hall Academy graduation," he wrote. "The program will reflect a moment of silence or something similar (i.e., not an introductory prayer) ."