Roy Costner IV ended his high school career with a bang. As valedictorian, Costner had the honor of giving a speech in front of the entire school, and he certainly made an impact. The school district, under threats from the ACLU and atheist groups, had decided to end the practice of praying before school events. Costner had something else in mind.
As reported by Christian News, Liberty High School held its graduation ceremonies this past week, and little did the school officials know that their valedictorian was about to make national news.
A high school valedictorian from South Carolina ripped up his approved speech on stage this past weekend, and minutes later, delivered the Lord’s Prayer in defiance of the school district’s decision to no longer include prayer at graduation ceremonies.
Roy Costner IV drew loud applause and cheers when he surprised attendees of the Liberty High School graduation at Clemson’s Littlejohn Colliseum on Saturday.
Pickens County School District spokesman John Eby said that the decision to remove prayer from the ceremony was driven “from the ACLU sending FOIA requests to every district in the state this year after the Chesterfield County case, then the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent us a complaint about religion at board meetings and some other issues as well.”
Costner ripped up his pre-approved speech in front of the audience and soon thanked his parents for his Christian upbringing.
“Those that we look up to, they have helped carve and mold us into the young adults that we are today,” he said. “I’m so glad that both of my parents led me to the Lord at a young age.”
“And I think most of you will understand when I say…” he continued, surprising the crowd with what came next.
“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name,” Costner declared. “Thy Kingdom come…”
Here’s a video of the audience reaction:
And to think… all of this “controversy” is spurred on by atheist groups who have nothing better to do than protest, protest, protest. If they don’t believe in God, then that’s their problem. But, of course, they don’t stop there. Their entire mission is to stamp out all references to God in any public venue.
I say good for Costner!
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