Graduation ceremonies in Forsyth County School District in Cummings, Ga., will no longer include religious prayer.
On May 24, Forsyth Central High School’s graduation reportedly included a student-delivered invocation and benediction, both of which specifically mentioned God and Jesus.
FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote Superintendent L.C. Evans on May 30 to alert Forsyth County Schools to the constitutional concerns: “School officials may not invite a student to give any type of prayer, invocation, or benediction at a public high school-sponsored event.”
Furthermore, “By scheduling such graduation prayers, the District abridges its duty to remain neutral.”
Counsel for the district replied on July 13, assuring that “The issues which you raise in your letter will not be a part of next year’s graduation program at Forsyth Central High School.”