Pennsylvania —
FFRF made sure that the Chartiers-Houston School District in Houston, Pa., would no longer allow for biblical references to occur at the annual graduation ceremony.
A concerned parent of a graduating senior reported that Chartiers-Houston Jr./ Sr. High School included a pre-planned invocation at its graduation ceremony, and that Superintendent Gary Peiffer and the school’s principal inappropriately promoted bible verses and faith in remarks. In the principal’s speech, he referenced 1 Corinthians 13:13 before telling students that “faith” was the first of “four pillars for [their] journey ahead.” Later, Peiffer also made reference to the bible, favorably comparing Jesus to teachers. Infusing the ceremony with religion throughout made the concerned parent uncomfortable, as they are an atheist and felt that prayer and biblical references are out of place for a public high school graduation.
FFRF additionally learned that preplanned prayers appeared to be a regular occurrence during the Chartiers-Houston High School’s graduation ceremonies. Video recordings of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 ceremonies showed that the school-sponsored events included scheduled prayers at the beginning of each ceremony, with the class secretary being tasked with delivering the prayer each year.
“It makes no difference how many students want prayer or wouldn’t be offended by prayer at their graduation ceremony; the courts have continually reaffirmed that the rights of minorities are nonetheless protected by the Constitution,” FFRF Staff Attorney Maddy Ziegler wrote to Peiffer.
Quickly after FFRF’s letter, Peiffer issued a response concerning the complaint. “As superintendent, I take responsibility for what occurred during commencement,” Peiffer wrote. “Considering the issues you expressed; I understand your concerns and acknowledge that the comments made by myself and others were inappropriate for a public-school graduation.”
Peiffer additionally laid out new policies, confirming that no administrator or facility member will reference or cite biblical texts in school-sponsored activities, graduation will be structured so that only student and guest teacher speakers will have the podium to make extensive remarks and comments to the class and any songs performed as part of the ceremony will be secular in nature.
The post FFRF made sure that the Chartiers-Houston School District would no longer allow for biblical references at the annual graduation ceremony. (October 2025) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
