Cherokee County Graduation Controversy

On January 20th 2011, The Cherokee County Board of Education had a meeting on behalf of legal issues and objections raised by the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State in regard to the graduation venue at First Baptist Church in Woodstock. The argument raised by the Americans United was that Cherokee County graduation should not be held in a church because it violates their rights as Americans. Arguments raised included, “If it is illegal to have a graduation in a church because you see a cross, then it should be illegal to make a church near a road.” Others expressed concerns stating, “We already sent out invitations to our relatives from other states and I don’t want to have to tell them they cannot come because of lack of seats.”

There were many alternatives in regard to where graduation could be held, some included the Cobb Energy Center and the Georgia Dome but they were not as cheap or space accommodating as the First Baptist Woodstock.

Four brave Creekview students: Lauren P, Torey T, Jessica I, and Danielle T all stood up to speak on the behalf of Creekview’s senior class. The four of the students had great convincing arguments that eventually turned out on their favor. The Board unanimously voted in favor of having graduation in the First Baptist Church in Woodstock

Written by: Trey Ayres