Bastrop High School (Louisiana)
Bastrop High School is a senior high school in Bastrop, Louisiana. It is a part of the Morehouse Parish School Board.
History
In 2006 Bastrop High had an undefeated American football team season, but on August 28, 2006 the Louisiana High School Athletic Association removed the school's title, arguing that it had improperly contacted and transported players from Port Sulphur, Louisiana who had been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.[1]
Bastrop High School prayer controversy
In 2011, graduating senior Damon Fowler objected to prayer at the Bastrop High School graduation exercises, claiming a looming violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.[2] The ACLU of Louisiana asked the school not to include a prayer in the May 20 graduation.[2] At the Thursday night rehearsal for the graduation, senior Sarah Barlow included a prayer that explicitly mentioned Jesus, and during the graduation, student Laci Rae Mattice led people in the Lord's Prayer before a moment of silence. The school says that Mattice was told not to include a prayer.[2] Fowler stated that after his objections became public he was ostracized by other students.[3] Fowler would eventually be awarded the Humanist Pioneer Award from the American Humanist Association for his advocacy and bravery.[4]
References
- ↑ Longman, Jeré (2006-09-21). "From a Hurricane to the Eye of a Storm". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-12-03. - Print: p. D1, New York edition, "From a Hurricane To the Eye Of a Storm."
- 1 2 3 Southwell, Zack (May 21, 2011). "Prayer sparks controversy in Bastrop". The News-Star. Monroe, Louisiana. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
- ↑ Lebo, Lauri. "Student Says He's Ostracized for Objecting to Graduation Prayer". Religion Dispatches. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ↑ "Teen Atheist who Brought Down Prayer Banner & Feminist Gloria Steinem to be Honored at Atheist Conference". The Blaze. Irving, Texas. May 30, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
Note
- Some text originated from Morehouse Parish School Board