The Censored Valedictorian Speech


Today the Rutland Herald, a newspaper in Rutland, Vermont, published the full text of Kyle Gearwar’s Censored High School Valedictorian Speech.

Had Kyle used offensive language or spoken from a humanistic perspective or presented an atheistic worldview, there would likely have been no problem. Had he espoused a radical philosophy, he would have undoubtedly have been permitted to speak.

Because he is a Christian, he was censored.

But he wasn’t silenced. Here’s what he actually said — quite plainly — during his high school graduation, and by clicking here you can read all that he wanted to say.

Way to go, Kyle!

My original speech has been cut, redone, and eventually trashed because of my references to the Bible, Jesus, and a better life. (It) was revised by some lawyers and attorneys who crossed out the concluding half of my speech. They said that the school can not endorse or allow me to speak about religion and how it has changed my life…

It saddens me that it had to come to this and I do not wish to read it on these circumstances because I know that Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Doucette and the school are at the mercy of the law if I follow through on this.

It saddens me even more that the founding fathers created the first amendment, but today Congress has changed it to exclude those that they do not want to speak and defiled the principles on which this country was built on. I would also like to add that I am not trying to cause a problem or direct attention to myself, but I have always dreamed of speaking about God in front of my school as the Valedictorian. This was the message God gave to me and I am not allowed to share it with you even though it my testimony, the most important change my life has ever experienced, and the one thing that I stand for no matter what.

Today my valedictorian speech remains unfinished. I am submitting to those who have authority over me by not reading the half of my speech that has caused issues. I respect the administration for the decisions they have made and thank them anyways for the opportunity to speak.

Here are additional links to the story on Fox and in the Burlington Free Press.