Brawley Union High School salutatorian Brooks Hamby defied school officials Thursday by delivering a speech that expressed his Christian faith.
Three versions of Hamby's graduation address were rejected by the California school district for their references to God and the Bible, and he was warned that if he mentioned Christianity in his speech, his microphone would be cut off. However, Hamby decided not to change his message, as shown in this video here.
The 18-year-old was notified June 9 that he was salutatorian, and was expected to turn in a speech by June 11 for approval. He told Fox News that this address was in the form of a prayer, reading in part: "Heavenly Father, in all times, let us always be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us."
When that submission was rejected by the Brawley Union School District, Hamby referenced the censorship in a second speech: "Certain interpretations of the law, school policies and conditions have stifled my ability to speak freely to you this evening and prohibited me from doing otherwise," he wrote.
"However, if I could pray with you this evening, I would say something along these lines..."
The morning of graduation, Hamby's parents received a letter from the district warning them that if their son "interjects religious content, the sound will be cut off, and a disclaimer to the entire audience must be made explaining the district's position."
After this notification, Brooks sought advice from his Western Avenue Baptist Church pastor.
"We talked and brainstormed for a while and prayed for guidance and direction on what to do in words and actions," Hamby told Fox News.
He sent a third draft of his speech to the superintendent, and received another rejection. A fourth draft was emailed to school officials, and garnered no response. It was this final version that he delivered to his classmates on Thursday.
"In life, you will be told, 'No,'" he told his fellow graduates. "In life, you will be asked to do things that you have no desire to do. In life, you will be asked to do things that violate your conscience and your desire to do what is right.
"Be the salt of the earth. Be strong and stand for your convictions and stand for what is right, what is ethical, what is moral and what is Godly, no matter what is the cost to you. Stand for what is good wherever you go and whatever you do.
"May the God of the Bible bless each and every one of you every day in the rest of your lives," Hamby said.
Officials did not interrupt the salutatorian's message.
