High school students are encouraged to get involved in a variety of activities from drama to sports to FFA and music. No matter how big or small a school, there are always different opportunities including clubs like Stand for the Silent anti-bullying group or student government.
Sometimes students have a brilliant idea to start up their own club that reflects their interests. Some kids who don’t want to play structured football launch a rowdy rugby club or maybe they’re interested in knitting and start a group that revolves around that.
A 14-year-old freshman from New York wanted to launch a student-led Bible club at her school. Students Standing Strong (S3) club members span the country, but her public school refused to allow her to start a chapter there.
During the summertime, Daniela Barca asked a special education teacher at her high school, Barbara Hargraves, to be the group’s adviser. Hargraves worked with Daniela to complete the required application and submitted it on behalf of the girl.
School administrators didn’t respond to her application for months and finally, her principal David Seipp met with her in late October and delivered the dismaying news.
Daniela was told by school officials with Wappingers Falls’ Roy C. Ketcham Significant School in upstate New York that the club she proposed was “religious” and “not generic enough.” She shared with Fox News that she wanted to start the Christian club because “occasionally it feels like it’s just me” as a young follower of Christ.
Undeterred, Daniela appealed Seipp’s decision to the district’s assistant superintendent Daren Lolkema, writing:
“I am a Christian. But sometimes it feels like I’m the only one. I want to start this club for other students like me so we can support each other in our beliefs. The school district celebrates diversity and the right to express who you are. All I want is to be allowed to express who I am.”
The freshman also provided an online link to the text of the Equal Access Act of 1984, which, according to the First Amendment Encyclopedia, “forbids public schools from receiving federal funds if they deny students the First Amendment right to conduct meetings because of the ‘religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings.'”
Even armed with this information, Lolkema denied Daniela’s application. Compelled by their daughter’s tenacity, Daniela’s parents sought legal advice from the Texas-based First Liberty Institute, a law firm that says it is “dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans.”
First Liberty attorney Keisha Russell took on Daniela’s case and sent a letter to Wappingers Superintendent Jose Carrion, referencing federal law and noting that, “We write concerning the unlawful denial of equal access to Ketcham High School freshman Daniela Barca and other students who wish to form a religious club at the school. The school’s repeated denial of Daniela’s application to form this religious club is a violation of the Equal Access Act of 1984 and the U.S. Constitution and must stop immediately.”
Five days later, the school district reversed its denial of Daniela’s application.
Daniela’s attorney shared how thrilled the high schooler was with the reversal.
“We are grateful to the Wappingers Central School District officials for acting swiftly to ensure that religious students can freely exercise their right to meet together at school. Daniela is thrilled she’ll be allowed to form a club so those who share her faith can express who they are and encourage each other.”
Daniella herself spoke out after the reversal was handed down.
“(I am) so happy that school district officials are going to allow us to start the club at school so we can support each other in our beliefs.”
When Daniela’s story about the challenge she faced first hit the news, members of Students Standing Strong from across the country wrote her letters of encouragement.
She received messages such as, “Perhaps you were created for a time such as this. Esther 4:14” and “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…”
“Dear Daniela, I hope that you know that you are not alone and that we’re all praying for you.”
The student-led club encourages young believers to stand up for their faith.
They highlighted Daniela’s story on their website where even more people applauded Daniela’s efforts, like Terry Ann Kelly.
“What an incredible teenager! Thankful for other Christian students who stood with her with words of encouragement!”
William Burt proclaimed his support for the teen who took on school leaders.
“May the Lord bless you, Daniela, for standing up for your faith in the midst of opposition.”
What do you think about the school district’s initial denial of Daniela’s desire to form this club?
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