New York Student Gets Approval to Form Christian Club after Being Told It Violated the Constitution
- Updated Nov 26, 2014
A New York student who wanted to start a Christian club at her high school will be allowed to start the club even though initially the school district rejected the idea.
Liz Loverde had wanted to start a Christian club called Dare to Believe. When she tried to get the club started in September, Wantagh High School Principal Carolyn Breivogel said the club violated the U.S. Constitution. Later, the school district said the club formation hadn’t followed formal procedures to be recognized.
Still, the Wantagh Union Free School District and Loverde’s family then teamed up with the Liberty Institute to write a letter to the principal, arguing that the school district was violating the Equal Access Act of 1984 by rejecting the club.
Following that letter, the school district’s board of education agreed to approve seven student clubs last weeks, including Dare to Believe.
Jeremy Dys, senior counsel with Liberty Institute, said he was “glad” at the decision.
“It took a lot of courage for a 15-year-old to come forward to reveal that her principal said Christian clubs are illegal,” Dys said. “It is always a scary position for students to take a stand against government school authorities who hold significant power over their everyday lives. We look forward to Wantagh High School respecting Liz’s religious liberty at school.”
Publication date: November 26, 2014
