Nevada —

Churchill County School District in Fallon, Nev., listened to FFRF and put a stop to a multiyear practice of including school-sponsored prayers at a district high school graduation.

A district alumnus reported that Churchill County High School had previously scheduled prayers as part of the graduation ceremony. FFRF found that the 2022 graduation ceremony included a prayer led by a former instructor. The prayer was overtly religious and the prayer-giver requested that all attendees, including students, join them in prayer.

“School officials may not invite a former or current teacher, faculty member or clergy member to give any type of prayer, invocation, benediction or sermon at a public high school-sponsored event,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.

Sharla Hales, general counsel for the district, wrote back in response to FFRF’s letter, confirming that prayers had been included in the graduation ceremonies for many years. However, as Hales had never attended the ceremonies, the practice had gone unexamined. “Superintendent Parsons and I have discussed this situation,” Hales wrote. “Although your letter was received too late to alter the graduation plans for this year, the district agrees that school-sponsored prayers should not be a part of graduation ceremonies.”

The post Churchill County School District listened to FFRF and put a stop to including school-sponsored prayers at a high school graduation. (October 2025) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.