October’s Student of the Month: Angela Hildenbrand

Students who bravely resisted religious discrimination – and won

As we’ve noted before, the threat to students’ religious expression in schools is real. In a country that touts freedom so enthusiastically, you’d be surprised at the number of students who have been discriminated against in school because of their faith.

But there’s good news, too. The free exercise of religion is protected in schools and you don’t lose your rights at school. Students who are discriminated against because of their faith don’t have to cave in – they can fight back! (See our previous post on 3 vital things you should know). In our Student of the Month (#SOTM) series, we’ll highlight some of the documented cases involving students in Liberty Institute’s Undeniable book, where students courageously stood up for both their faith and their freedom.

Today, Meet Angela Hildenbrand.

In 2011, a federal told Angela Hildenbrand, a model high school student and valedictorian, that she would go to jail if she prayed during her graduation speech.

This seems impossible, but it actually happened.

The Facts

• In 2011, a family filed a lawsuit against Medina Valley High School near San Antonio, Texas, complaining about the school district’s inclusion of an invocation and benediction during graduation ceremonies.

• A U.S. District Judge agreed with the plaintiffs and issued a temporary restraining order that not only disallowed the school’s “invocation” and “benediction,” but also banned prayer offered by anyone during the graduation, regardless of whether it was offered by a student or another private speaker.

• In response to this order, Angela Hildenbrand, valedictorian of Medina Valley High School, contacted Liberty Institute for help. She planned to offer a prayer during her speech to her classmates, and also wanted to mention her faith…but she didn’t want to go to jail.

• On behalf of Hildenbrand, Liberty Institute filed an emergency motion for intervention and request for relief from the temporary restraining order. Texas Governor Rick Perry, state Attorney General Greg Abbott, and the Medina Valley School District also urged the federal appeals court to reverse the District Judge’s ruling.

• On June 3, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned the ruling, allowing Hildenbrand to offer a prayer during her graduation speech and permitting her to exercise her constitutional right to freely express her religious beliefs.

• In August 2012, Liberty Institute launched The Angela Project, a nationwide effort to stop the widespread assault on religious freedom in our public schools. Through this project, Liberty Institute educates and empowers students to stand up for their faith.

Angela’s courage was widely recognized and she became a role model for students throughout the country. She has since been invited to speak in front of church youth groups and was even part of a religious freedom panel at a major national convention in Washington D.C.

This “win” was a win not only for Angela, but for students everywhere, and it reaffirmed a valuable precedent that students do not lose their constitutional rights when they walk through the schoolhouse doors.

If you ever feel like your religious rights are threatened at school, remember, you’re not alone! Liberty Institute is here to help. The best way to protect yourself from religious persecution in school is to know your legal rights. See our previous post, “Religious Freedom in School,” and download Liberty Institute’s Religious Liberty Protection Kit for Students and Teachers.