MEDINA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL CONGREGATION
Angela Hildebrand an 18 year old Valedictorian from Medina Valley High School has faced resistance regarding her desire to express her Christian beliefs in her valedictorian speech. The school district has also faced a lawsuit by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Initially the federal courts stated Ms. Hildebrand could not express her Christian views. A few days later this judgment was overturned. The Conservative Christian Right and their radio supporters hailed this as a victory over the Liberal Atheist Left. I had the great fortune to be listening to WOAI's Clear Channel show hosted by Joe Paags. He was gloating Ms. Hildebrand had "earned the right to say what she wants". This was a common sentiment among Christian Right Wingers. Many feeling it was un-American and violated Ms. Hildebrand's right to free speech. I am sure the Christian right wing free speech advocates would have had a very different view of Ms. Hildebrand's right