A high school in Gilmer County, W.V., held its annual graduation ceremony (May 28, 2010) without an “inspiration,” after receiving numerous letters from FFRF, beginning in August 2009. The school’s graduation ceremony in 2009 had included an “inspiration,” which was actually a Christian invocation, and FFRF had concerns that the 2010 graduation would again schedule unconstitutional prayers. After four follow-up letters and calls between the district superintendent and FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert, the principal of the high school finally responded on Dec. 19, 2010: “I have attached a copy of the program from Graduation Ceremonies held May 28, 2010 which indicates that no invocation, prayer, or inspiration was scheduled.” — Bonnie Gutsch
December 19, 2010