A Wisconsin high school is facing a legal threat after allegedly blocking a graduating student from including a Bible verse in her commencement ceremony.
Sarianne Beronja, an 18-year-old graduate of Arrowhead High School in Hartland, claims the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, representing her, sent a letter Tuesday to the Arrowhead Union High School District. The letter states that the verse Beronja submitted, Proverbs 3:6, was denied the night before her graduation on June 6 because it referenced religion.
The verse read, 'In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.' Beronja reportedly submitted an alternative message expressing gratitude to God after the initial denial, but this too was rejected hours before the ceremony. She stated that the alternative message did not fully capture her experience.
Beronja's legal representatives argue that she was denied the opportunity to express her faith, while other students were allegedly allowed to include a variety of non-religious messages, such as quotes from pop culture figures, references to reality television, and requests for college donations via Venmo.
The letter emphasizes that Beronja was not seeking the school's endorsement of her beliefs but rather a brief personal statement, comparable to those permitted for other students. She also claimed that students in previous graduating classes had been allowed to reference God and quote scripture.
In a video released by her attorneys, Beronja explained that Proverbs 3:6 was chosen because it exemplified her high school journey. She views her current stance as a necessary defense of her faith, stating, "It was really important to me and we're called by God to specifically stand up for our faith, so that's exactly what I did."
Beronja's attorneys are requesting a public apology from the school district, an acknowledgment that religious viewpoints have constitutional protections equal to non-religious ones, and a commitment to prevent similar instances of alleged discrimination in the future. Her legal team indicated a preference for an amicable resolution but stated they are prepared to pursue legal action.
Arrowhead Union High School District Superintendent Conrad Farner stated that the graduation slideshow was considered "school-sponsored speech." He indicated that administrators have the right to edit or restrict such content if it is reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns, citing the 1988 Supreme Court ruling in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier. Farner explained that the slideshow was not intended as a platform for any religious or political viewpoints, but rather a brief presentation for each graduate.
He expressed concern that permitting personal, political, or religious statements could introduce divisive or controversial content, potentially disrupting the ceremony. Beronja's mother, Lora Engel, told reporters that the late notification of the denial, occurring shortly before graduation, felt intentional and designed to prevent a public response.