Grad surprises school officials with comments about Jesus

Associated Press

Saturday, June 10, 2006

MONUMENT, Colo. - A high school graduate who used her commencement speech to urge families to learn about Jesus Christ has acknowledged said she did not tell school officials she planned to make the remarks.

Lewis-Palmer High School officials asked Erica Corder to tell the parents of other students that educators did not condone her remarks at the May 25 commencement. School officials said that would have been a violation of the Constitution.

In her part of the valedictorian speech, the 18-year-old Corder said, "If you don't already know (Jesus) personally, I encourage you to find out more about the sacrifice he made for you."

Corder said she planned the remarks for months but did not tell school officials or the other 14 speakers, who had cooperated on drawing up a speech and who each took a part in presenting it. Corder went last.

Corder did not include her comments about Jesus when they rehearsed in front of Principal Mark Brewer.

In an e-mail to parents, Corder said she may have offended some people but did not intend to.

She said she was sorry she had not told the principal or other speakers of her plans, but she did not apologize for what she said.

She told The Gazette in Saturday's editions she believed God had called on her to make the remarks.

"I think he (God) just wanted to plant that seed, I guess," she said.

She said she kept her plans secret so she would not have to disobey any instructions not to make her comments.

Lewis-Palmer School District Superintendent Dave Dilley said the district has no policy on commencement speeches but is considering whether it needs one.