High school grad says diploma is withheld after urging students to find God in speech
A graduate of a Kentucky high school said his diploma has been withheld after he went off script in his commencement speech, urging his classmates to find God.
Micah Price, who graduated Friday, May 24, from Campbell County High School, began his commencement speech by giving “the honor, the praise and the glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
He was allowed to thank God, Campbell County Schools Superintendent Shelli Wilson told WKRC. What Price said next, Wilson said, was not approved beforehand.
“He is the light, he is the way, the truth and the life,” Price said in his speech. “Class, everyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you if you don’t have any of those things in your life, you can’t seem to find the answer, my lord and savior is your answer. He will give you the truth, the way and the life.”
Price’s remarks were met by a roaring applause. But they also came with a consequence.
The graduate said in a series of TikToks he has not received his diploma.
In her statement to WKRC, Wilson said graduate speakers were told going off script may result in “repercussions.”
Speaking on TikTok about the effect of his speech, Price said, “I am in the wrong, technically.”
“It’s gotten a little out of hand,” Price said of the situation, which has led to a wave of pushback against the school. “I’ll continue to preach this message as I’ve been preaching this entire time. I’m not here to push a political agenda, I’m not here to push my agenda. I’m not here to say anything except this one thing: Christ deserves to be talked about, Christ is the way to choose life.”
Several commenters supported Price and his comments. The video of his speech has also been widely shared on Facebook, with many people urging the school to give Price his diploma.
Among the commenters was Kimberly Dotson, who applauded Price for “repping Jesus Christ.”
“It’s our FREEDOM OF SPEECH & RELIGION to honor our faith!” she said in a Facebook post. “He didn’t push his beliefs on anyone but simply gave credit to Jesus for his accomplishments. He asks if (we) are to support him please go in honor of Jesus and do not bash the school or leadership. This is a governed issue. It’s time to STAND.”
Price said he has “no bad blood” toward the school administrators. He said he expects to receive his diploma.
Wilson said Price will receive his diploma after meeting with the school principal.
“While I know, personally, that many of us are proud of this young man’s beliefs and are practicing Christians ourselves, the principal has to consider the possibilities of students going off the planned program,” Wilson told WKRC.
Price’s mother, Melonie Neely Farris, said in a Facebook post her son plans to join the U.S. Air Force.
“Micah is a phenomenal young man and is a God loving, fearing, respecting Christian,” she said in a follow-up Facebook post. “Micah is called to do what we are all called to do, share the love of Christ, that’s exactly what he did and by the way I heard things, the entire audience loved it! We will face what comes his way but we will never deny the love of Christ. ... NEVER!”
Campbell County High School is in Alexandria, about a 15-mile drive southeast from Cincinnati.
This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 9:50 AM with the headline "High school grad says diploma is withheld after urging students to find God in speech."