![School and district officials stand for the National Anthem, sung by senior Emily Lipford, at Pace High School's May 27 commencement ceremony. [ALICIA ADAMS | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-4fde5992-0dec-063e-e053-0100007f06ed-a365177e-scaled.jpeg)
THE QUESTION
“A large group of us had the privilege to attend Pace High School's commencement at Pensacola Civic Center auditorium May 27, 2017. The National Anthem was sung and the color guard marched with the flags. Standing with our hand over our heart, we were appalled to not recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We were told to be seated instead of pledging allegiance to our flag and country. We were all looking at each other and wondering what had just happened. No Pledge of Allegiance.
“Is this political correctness at its worse? Additionally, there was no invocation given. Who did Santa Rosa School district think they might offend? Is this to become our ‘new normal’? A group of about 30 family and friends had quite a discussion later as the group gathered to honor the new graduates. We were all appalled that no pledge was recited to honor our country. The graduates also did not appreciate that the Pledge was deleted from their ceremony. This happened to take place on Memorial Day weekend to add insult to injury in this heavily concentrated military area. The majority of United States citizens are being offended by these sacred icons being omitted for fear of offending a ‘few.’
“I am, with many others, very disappointed that our school district has decided to comply and institute these changes to our beloved commencement ceremony. Please study and revisit why these changes were made.” – Betty Jo Thompson, Pace
THE ANSWER
Christia Victoriano, Pace’s valedictorian and recent graduate, said that within the past four years she has attended the graduation ceremonies, the Pledge of Allegiance has never been said.
“The ROTC presents the colors and we stand for the National Anthem,” Victoriano said. “It’s not something new or recent.”
Tim Wyrosdick, the superintendent of Santa Rosa County schools, said that the commencement ceremonies are planned by student leadership.
"School administration guides them through the traditional ceremonial process of a commencement exercise," Wyrosdick said. "The Pledge of Allegiance is not always used in a commencement exercise. I attended at least 12 graduation ceremonies this year and I would estimate the pledge was done in about half."
As for the invocation, Victoriano said that she can’t remember ever having one at the Pace ceremonies.
“After the [American Civil Liberties] lawsuit, I couldn’t imagine that they’d risk doing a prayer at graduation,” she said.
According to the ACLU of Florida, two Pace students sued the Santa Rosa County School Board in federal court in 2008, claiming that school and district officials frequently directed students in prayer at extracurricular and athletic events, arranged for prayer during graduation ceremonies and sponsored religious baccalaureate services.
The Pace High Teacher Handbook required school personnel to "embrace every opportunity to inculcate, by precept and example, the practice of every Christian virtue."
The school board, Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick and Principal Frank Lay admitted liability and signed a Consent Decree in May 2009.
A Consent Decree stopped school officials from continuing to promote religion to students. Students have a right to pray in school individually or in groups on their own time and to have religious clubs on campus.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU
A prayer will not be said at commencement ceremonies for Pace High School due to a Consent Decree signed in 2008 by the school’s former principal and the school board.
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Correction
The June 10-13, 2017, Santa Rosa Press Gazette featured an article titled, “Why did Pace’s graduation lack an invocation and pledge?” This feature included a quote erroneously attributed to Pace High School teacher Celene Sessions and included her photo.
Though working in good faith, the reporter unknowingly failed to use traditional newsgathering methods to secure a quote and instead used second-hand information. News management learned about the issue after press deadlines. We agreed that the story fell short of the Press Gazette’s high editorial standards.
We sincerely regret this error, are happy to correct the record and have ensured all news team members are up to date on proper news gathering methods, sourcing and attribution.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Why did Pace's graduation lack an invocation and pledge?