A Censored Valedictorian's Address

A high school valedictorian in Vermont was censored by school administers  because his speech talked too much about the influence of Christ in his life.  Kyle Gearwar, was asked to change all parts referring to religion, God, Jesus, and the like.  He submitted to school authorities because "God calls us to do so," but instead of rewriting his speech, he just cut it out and only delivered half.  He did thank his youth group and pastors.  The full, unedited speech can be read at the link below.  Kyle is certainly not alone, as we read several stories like this every graduation season.  However, his speech is online so I have the ability to pass it along.  

I have always enjoyed that despite that you girls came from 6 different schools (Veritas, SCDS, SAA, St. Vint's, St. Andrew's, Kingdom Builders) you bonded and built a group of friends, and you never really experienced lunch in the caf or hallway hellos together.  This also means that we have attended TONS of graduation ceremonies over the last 2 springs.  I am thankful that several of you attended Christian schools that allowed God and Jesus to be mentioned, but I wish I could have seen a valedictorian address as honest and bold as this one.  (I am leaving out the experience of Liz's graduation, where Christ was clearly central to all 20 graduate speeches.  Awesome!)

Anyway, peruse the speech.  I want you to think about what you would have said if you were valedictorian.  Would you have been so bold?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/58109460/Kyle-s-Speech