Foothill Valedictorian suing CCSD over "free $peech"

A local high school senior recently gained national attention by going "off script" during her Valedictorian remarks, and telling all gathered for the school's 2006 commencement ceremony about her faith in God and Christ.

When I first heard the story, I was on her side. I thought, "Yeah... there's a kid who's not afraid to 'buck the system' and stand up for what she believes."

But then I read a letter to the editor of a local paper, written by the mother of another Foothill graduate. She expressed her sadness that a day she should have been celebrating the achievement of her child, she was made uncomfortable and the event (and her memory of it) was forever marred because of this girl's selfishness.

She agreed to deliver the "edited" version of her speech, even signed her name to a statement that she would stick to the "agreed-upon" version. The speakers were told that if they deviated from their scripts, their microphones would be cut. Pretty black and white, right?

So she lied, saying she would say one thing, but fully intending to say another. According to the other mother, the Valedictorian felt compelled to ARGUE with school officials once her mic was silenced (admittedly, this is the first time I've heard this, and only from this one source; I'm still inclined to believe it). So not only did she lie, but when she received the warned-of reaction, she showed tremendous disrespect and arrogance.

Today I heard that her family is pursuing a lawsuit against the school district, and they have enlisted the aid of the "Rutherford Institute" - called by the media a "non-profit conservative legal foundation," which is code for "Christian legal bulldogs."

I'm all for free speech, and expressing your views, but she SIGNED HER NAME, GAVE HER WORD, that she would not deviate from her speech. How much classier, and how much more effective would it have been to preface her speech by this:

"Honored guests," (or however they begin these things now) "I had a speech prepared, which I submitted for approval from school board officials, and I received back an edited version that I found unacceptable. It is therefore my decision to remain silent for the duration of my time allotment, and I hope that my distinguished audience will understand and respect my decision."

And then just stand there for five minutes.

I guess you could argue that the preface is, in itself, a deviation from her script, but I find something along those lines far more palatable than purposefully misrepresenting yourself and ruining the event for hundreds of other graduates and families. It's just damn selfish!

Perhaps this was all part of the plan... she knew her mic would get cut.... she knew she could cry "freedom of speech" and maybe have a case on her hands... this kid was the frickin' valedictorian, for crying out loud...

they don't give that different-colored robe and the big hangy gold thing to the dumb kids.