Settlement in Arrowhead Religious Censorship Case
The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has secured a settlement with the Arrowhead Union High School District after school administrators prevented WILL client Sarianne Beronja from displaying a Bible verse in the graduation slideshow.
As part of the settlement, the District has apologized to Sarianne and her family, acknowledged that her religious message was unfairly denied, agreed to a settlement payment, and committed to First Amendment training for District administrators.
WILL took this case to defend students’ rights to personal expression and push back against the idea that a public school can censor a student’s message simply because it is religious.
The Quotes: WILL Deputy Counsel Cory Brewer, stated, “Sarianne’s case is an important reminder that the First Amendment protects student religious expression. A public school cannot allow students to express secular viewpoints while censoring comparable messages simply because they are grounded in faith or Scripture. We are pleased the District recognized its mistake and has agreed to take concrete steps to ensure administrators understand and protect students’ First Amendment rights going forward.”
WILL Client, Sarianne Beronja, stated, “America and its government must value religious freedom. I am thankful WILL stood alongside me in this case, and I hope more students stand up for what they believe in.”
What Happened: Arrowhead invited graduating students to submit a personal message to appear alongside their names during the graduation slideshow. Sarianne submitted Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.”
