Former student wins suit over valedictory speech

OROVILLE, Calif. — A high school valedictorian who was prevented from giving a graduation speech with religious themes in 1999 settled his federal lawsuit against the school for $59,000.

Officials at Oroville High School in California rejected Jason Niemeyer’s proposed valedictory address — both a version with specifically Christian content and a second draft that was religious but nonsectarian.

District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled a jury should be permitted to decide whether Niemeyer’s rights were violated when he was prevented from participating in the graduation ceremony. That decision prompted the school to settle.