A Kentucky high school student was denied his diploma at graduation after he went off script and praised Jesus Christ during his commencement speech.
The student, Micah Price, had been told to remove the preaching from his speech before Campbell County High School in Alexandria officials approved it.
Price did remove it from his script but decided to say it anyway when it was time to deliver the speech.
“Class, before another word leaves my mouth, I must give the honor, the praise, and the glory to my lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” Price said to the crowd at Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University on May 24.
The comment was met with a huge round of applause, and he continued.
“Who in his very words tells us he is the light, he is the way, the truth and life,” Price said. “Class, anyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you that if you don’t have any of those things in your life and can’t seem to find the answer, then my lord and savior is your answer.”
The principal confronted Price after the speech and said he would have to appear before the board and would not be handed his diploma during the graduation ceremony.
“After the speech was over, one of the principals came in, tapped me on the shoulder, very politely and professionally told me that I was going to have to go in front of the board and explain what I did because I went off script,” Price said in a TikTok video over the weekend.
Price said that he has no bad blood towards the school or its staff, but that he also has no regrets because he serves a higher power.
“I do no one’s bidding but God. So, if anyone’s in the wrong, I am. I deserve to get punished.”
Price was finally given his diploma on Wednesday.
Superintendent Shelli Wilson defended the school's decision.
“All speakers were told that going off their submitted speech, or any unplanned choices at graduation, may have repercussions as they would at any school function,” Wilson told WKRC. “Off-program choices such as speech, signs, and caps in support of any cause or religion, injecting inappropriate language, or political election statements could lead to something other than this outpouring of Christian faith.”
Price will now be attending the US Air Force Academy and has said he would do the same thing "times two" if he had an opportunity to do the speech over.
