santa fe independent school district doe individually next friend minor children et argued march decided june prior student elected santa fe high school student council chaplain delivered prayer public address system home varsity football game respondents mormon catholic students alumni mothers filed suit challenging practice others establishment clause first amendment suit pending petitioner school district district adopted different policy authorizes two student elections first determine whether invocations delivered games second select spokesperson deliver students held elections authorizing prayers selecting spokesperson district entered order modifying policy permit nonsectarian nonproselytizing prayer fifth circuit held even modified district football prayer policy invalid held district policy permitting prayer football games violates establishment clause pp analysis guided principles endorsed lee weisman concluding prayer delivered rabbi graduation ceremony violated establishment clause held minimum constitution guarantees government may coerce anyone support participate religion exercise otherwise act way establishes state religion religious faith tends district argues unpersuasively principles inapplicable policy messages private student speech public speech delivery message invocation school property events school public address system speaker representing student body supervision school faculty pursuant school policy explicitly implicitly encourages public prayer properly characterized private speech although district relies heavily cases addressing public forums rosenberger rector visitors univ clear district pregame ceremony type forum discussed cases district simply evince intent open ceremony indiscriminate use student body generally see hazelwood school dist kuhlmeier rather allows one student student entire season give invocation subject particular regulations confine content topic student message majoritarian process implemented district guarantees definition minority candidates never prevail views effectively silenced see board regents univ system southworth moreover district failed divorce invocations religious content policy involves perceived actual endorsement religion see lee declaring student elections take place district chosen permit invocations invocation shall conducted high school student council pon advice direction high school principal must consistent policy goals include solemniz ing event religious message obvious method solemnizing event indeed type message expressly endorsed policy invocation term primarily describes appeal divine assistance used past santa fe high school always entailed focused religious message conclusion message private speech also established factors beyond policy text including official setting invocation delivered see wallace policy sham secular purposes see history indicates district intended preserve practice prayer football games see lee pp rejects district argument policy distinguishable graduation prayer lee coerce students participate religious observances first part argument impermissible government coercion pregame messages product student choices fails reasons discussed explaining mechanism dual elections student speaker turn public speech private speech issue resolved first election whether student deliver prayer varsity football games controversy case demonstrates students views unanimous issue one establishment clause purposes remove debate kind issue governmental supervision control see lee although ultimate choice student speaker attributable students district decision hold constitutionally problematic election clearly choice attributable state second part district argument coercion attendance extracurricular event unlike graduation ceremony voluntary unpersuasive students cheerleaders members band team members attendance football games mandated sometimes class credit district argument also minimizes immense social pressure truly genuine desire felt many students involved extracurricular event american high school football constitution demands schools force students difficult choice whether attend games risk facing personally offensive religious ritual see pp also rejects district argument respondents facial challenge policy necessarily must fail premature invocation yet delivered policy argument assumes concerned serious constitutional injury occurs student forced participate act religious worship chooses attend school event constitution also requires keep mind myriad subtle ways establishment clause values eroded lynch donnelly guard different yet equally important constitutional injuries one mere passage district policy purpose perception government establishment religion see bowen kendrick lemon kurtzman discussed policy text circumstances surrounding enactment reveal purpose another constitutional violation warranting attention district implementation electoral process subjects issue prayer majoritarian vote election scheme district established governmental mechanism turns school forum religious debate empowers student body majority subject students minority views constitutionally improper messages award power alone acceptable cf board regents univ system southworth foregoing reasons policy invalid face pp affirmed stevens delivered opinion kennedy souter ginsburg breyer joined rehnquist filed dissenting opinion scalia thomas joined santa fe independent school district petitioner jane doe individually next friend minor children jane john doe et al writ certiorari appeals fifth circuit june justice stevens delivered opinion prior santa fe high school student occupied school elective office student council chaplain delivered prayer public address system varsity football game entire season practice along others challenged district violation establishment clause first amendment proceedings pending district school district adopted different policy permits require prayer initiated led student home games district entered order modifying policy permit nonsectarian nonproselytizing prayer appeals held even modified district football prayer policy invalid granted school district petition certiorari review holding santa fe independent school district district political subdivision state texas responsible education students small community southern part state district includes santa fe high school two primary schools intermediate school junior high school respondents two sets current former students respective mothers one family mormon catholic district permitted respondents litigate anonymously protect intimidation respondents commenced action april moved temporary restraining order prevent district violating establishment clause imminent graduation exercises complaint alleged district engaged several proselytizing practices promoting attendance baptist revival meeting encouraging membership religious clubs chastising children held minority religious beliefs distributing gideon bibles school premises also alleged district allowed students read christian invocations benedictions stage graduation deliver overtly christian prayers public address system home football games may district entered interim order addressing number different respect impending graduation order provided prayer consisting invocation benediction presented senior student students selected members graduating class text prayer determined students without scrutiny preapproval school officials references particular religious figures mohammed jesus buddha like permitted long general thrust prayer app response portion order district adopted series policies several months dealing prayer school functions policies enacted may july graduation ceremonies provided format august october policies football games may policy provided board chosen permit graduating senior class advice counsel senior class principal designee elect secret ballot choose whether invocation benediction shall part graduation exercise chosen class shall elect secret ballot list student volunteers students deliver nonsectarian nonproselytizing invocations benedictions purpose solemnizing graduation ceremonies emphasis deleted parties stipulated policy adopted senior class held election determine whether invocation benediction commencement class voted secret ballot include prayer high school graduation app second vote class elected two seniors deliver invocation july district enacted another policy eliminating requirement invocations benedictions nonsectarian nonproselytising also providing district enjoined enforcing policy may policy automatically become effective august policy titled prayer football games similar july policy graduations also authorized two student elections first determine whether invocations delivered second select spokesperson deliver like july policy contained two parts initial statement omitted requirement content invocation nonsectarian nonproselytising fallback provision automatically added limitation preferred policy enjoined august according parties stipulation district high school students voted determine whether student deliver prayer varsity football games students chose allow student say prayer football games week later separate election selected student deliver prayer varsity football games final policy october policy essentially august policy though omits word prayer title refers messages statements well invocations validity policy district enter order precluding enforcement first policy relying decision lee weisman held school action must coerce anyone support participate religious exercise app pet cert applying test concluded graduation prayers appealed distinctively christian beliefs delivering prayer school public address system prior football baseball game coerces student participation religious events parties appealed district contending enjoined portion october policy permissible contending alternatives violated establishment clause appeals majority agreed decision appeals followed fifth circuit precedent announced two rules jones clear creek independent school held prayer approved vote students nonsectarian nonproselytizing permissible high school graduation ceremonies hand later cases fifth circuit made clear clear creek rule applied high school graduations prayer constitutionally impermissible sporting events thus doe duncanville independent school described high school graduation significant event contrasted athletic events setting far less solemn extraordinary opinion case appeals explained controlling feature duncanville prayers delivered football games hardly sober type annual event appropriately solemnized prayer distinction district points simply one without difference regardless whether prayers selected vote spontaneously initiated informal events school officials present authority stop prayers thus indicated duncanville decision clear creek ii hinged singular context singularly serious nature graduation ceremony outside nurturing context clear creek prayer policy survive therefore reverse district holding district alternative clear creek prayer policy extended football games irrespective presence nonsectarian nonproselytizing restrictions dissenting judge rejected majority distinction graduation ceremonies football games opinion district october policy created limited public forum secular provided neutral accommodation noncoerced private religious granted district petition certiorari limited following question whether petitioner policy permitting prayer football games violates establishment clause conclude appeals ii first clause first amendment federal constitution provides congress shall make law respecting establishment religion prohibiting free exercise thereof fourteenth amendment imposes substantive limitations legislative power political subdivisions wallace jaffree lee weisman held prayer delivered rabbi middle school graduation ceremony violated clause although case involves student prayer different type school function analysis properly guided principles endorsed lee held case principle government may accommodate free exercise religion supersede fundamental limitations imposed establishment clause beyond dispute minimum constitution guarantees government may coerce anyone support participate religion exercise otherwise act way establishes state religion religious faith tends citations omitted quoting lynch donnelly case district first argues principle inapplicable october policy messages private student speech public speech reminds us crucial difference government speech endorsing religion establishment clause forbids private speech endorsing religion free speech free exercise clauses protect board ed westside community schools dist mergens opinion certainly agree distinction persuaded pregame invocations regarded private speech invocations authorized government policy take place government property events course every message delivered circumstances government held example individual contribution forum government speech see rosenberger rector visitors univ although district relies heavily rosenberger similar cases involving clear pregame ceremony type forum discussed santa fe school officials simply evince either policy practice intent open pregame ceremony indiscriminate use student body generally hazelwood school dist kuhlmeier quoting perry ed assn perry local educators rather school allows one student student entire season give invocation statement invocation moreover subject particular regulations confine content topic student message see infra comparison perry rejected claim school created limited public forum school mail system despite fact allowed far speakers address much broader range topics policy issue concluded perry selective access transform government property public forum granting one student access stage time course necessarily preclude finding school created limited public forum however santa fe student election system ensures messages deemed appropriate district policy may delivered majoritarian process implemented district guarantees definition minority candidates never prevail views effectively silenced recently board regents univ system southworth explained student elections determine majority vote expressive activities shall receive receive school benefits constitutionally problematic extent referendum substitutes majority determinations viewpoint neutrality undermine constitutional protection program requires whole theory viewpoint neutrality minority views treated respect majority views access public forum instance depend upon majoritarian consent principle controlling slip like student referendum funding southworth student election nothing protect minority views rather places students hold views mercy fundamental rights may submitted vote depend outcome elections west virginia bd ed barnette district elections insufficient safeguards diverse student speech lee school district made related argument policy endorsing civic nonsectarian prayer acceptable minimized intrusion audience whole rejected claim explaining majoritarian policy lessen offense isolation objectors best narrows number worst increases sense isolation affront similarly santa fe majoritarian election might ensure students represented nothing protect minority indeed likely serves intensify offense moreover district failed divorce religious content invocations succeeded either claiming policy one neutrality rather characterizing individual student process contrary district repeated assertions adopted approach pregame invocation realities situation plainly reveal policy involves perceived actual endorsement religion case found lee degree school involvement makes clear pregame prayers bear imprint state thus put children objected untenable position district attempted disentangle religious messages developing student election process text october policy however exposes extent school entanglement elections take place school board chosen permit students deliver brief invocation message app emphasis added elections thus shall conducted high school student council pon advice direction high school principal decision whether deliver message first made majority vote entire student body followed choice speaker separate similar majority election even though particular words used speaker determined votes policy mandates statement invocation consistent goals purposes policy solemnize event promote good sportsmanship student safety establish appropriate environment competition ibid addition involving school selection speaker policy terms invites encourages religious messages policy purpose message solemnize event religious message obvious method solemnizing event moreover requirements message promote good citizenship establish appropriate environment competition narrow types message deemed appropriate suggesting solemn yet nonreligious message commentary foreign policy indeed type message expressly endorsed text invocation term primarily describes appeal divine fact used past santa fe high school invocation always entailed focused religious message thus expressed purposes policy encourage selection religious message precisely students understand policy results elections described parties make clear students understood central question whether prayer part pregame recognize important role public worship plays many communities well sincere desire include public prayer part various occasions mark occasions significance religious activity public schools elsewhere must comport first amendment actual perceived endorsement message moreover established factors beyond text policy student speaker selected message composed invocation delivered large audience assembled part regularly scheduled function conducted school property message broadcast school public address system remains subject control school officials fair assume pregame ceremony clothed traditional indicia school sporting events generally include team also cheerleaders band members dressed uniforms sporting school name mascot school name likely written large print across field banners flags crowd certainly include many display school colors insignia school jackets hats may also waving signs displaying school name setting board chosen permit elected student rise give statement invocation context members listening audience must perceive pregame message public expression views majority student body delivered approval school administration cases involving state participation religious activity one relevant questions whether objective observer acquainted text legislative history implementation statute perceive state endorsement prayer public schools wallace concurring part concurring judgment regardless listener support objection message objective santa fe high school student unquestionably perceive inevitable pregame prayer stamped school seal approval text history policy moreover reinforce objective student perception prayer actuality encouraged school governmental entity professes secular purpose arguably religious policy government characterization course entitled deference nonetheless duty courts distinguis sham secular purpose sincere one wallace concurring judgment according district secular purposes policy foste free expression private persons well solemniz sporting events promot good sportsmanship student safety establis appropriate environment competition brief petitioner note however district approval one specific kind message invocation necessary purposes additionally fact one student permitted give message suggests policy little foste free expression furthermore regardless whether one considers sporting event appropriate occasion solemnity use invocation foster solemnity impermissible actuality constitutes prayer sponsored school unclear type message appropriately solemnizing district policy yet striking us evolution current policy office student chaplain candidly titled prayer football games regulation history indicates district intended preserve practice prayer football games conclusion district viewed october policy simply continuation previous policies dramatically illustrated fact school conduct new election pursuant current policy replace results previous election occurred former policy given observations light school history regular delivery prayer athletic events reasonable infer specific purpose policy preserve popular religious practice lee school sponsorship religious message impermissible sends ancillary message members audience nonadherants outsiders full members political community accompanying message adherants insiders favored members political community lynch donnelly concurring delivery message school public address system speaker representing student body supervision school faculty pursuant school policy explicitly implicitly encourages public prayer properly characterized private speech iii district next argues football policy distinguishable graduation prayer lee coerce students participate religious observances argument two parts first impermissible government coercion pregame messages product student choices second really coercion attendance extracurricular event unlike graduation ceremony voluntary reasons discussed explaining alleged mechanism dual elections student speaker turn public speech private speech also demonstrate mechanisms insulate school coercive element final message fact aspect district argument exposes anew concerns created majoritarian election system parties stipulation clearly issue resolved first election whether student deliver prayer varsity football games app controversy case demonstrates views students unanimous issue one purposes served establishment clause remove debate kind issue governmental supervision control explained lee preservation transmission religious beliefs worship responsibility choice committed private sphere two student elections authorized policy coupled debates presumably must precede impermissibly invade private sphere election mechanism considered light history policy question evolved reflects device district put place determines whether religious messages delivered home football games mechanism encourages divisiveness along religious lines public school setting result odds establishment clause although true ultimate choice student speaker attributable students brief petitioner district decision hold constitutionally problematic election clearly choice attributable state lee district argues attendance commencement ceremonies issue lee differs dramatically attendance high school football games contends passing interest many students decidedly extracurricular thus dissipating coercion brief petitioner attendance high school football game unlike showing class certainly required order receive diploma moreover may assume district correct arguing informal pressure attend athletic event strong senior desire attend graduation ceremony students however cheerleaders members band course team members seasonal commitments mandate attendance sometimes class credit district also minimizes importance many students attending participating extracurricular activities part complete educational experience noted lee aw reaches past formalism assert high school students feel immense social pressure truly genuine desire involved extracurricular event american high school football formalistic extreme ibid stressed lee obvious observation adolescents often susceptible pressure peers towards conformity influence strongest matters social convention high school home football games traditional gatherings school community bring together students faculty well friends family years present past root common cause undoubtedly games important students voluntarily choose attend many others however choice whether attend games risk facing personally offensive religious ritual practical sense easy one constitution moreover demands school may force difficult choice upon students tenet first amendment state require one citizens forfeit rights benefits price resisting conformance religious practice even regard every high school student decision attend home football game purely voluntary nevertheless persuaded delivery pregame prayer improper effect coercing present participate act religious worship government may use social pressure enforce orthodoxy may use direct means lee hat believers may seem nothing reasonable request nonbeliever respect religious practices school context may appear nonbeliever dissenter attempt employ machinery state enforce religious orthodoxy constitutional command permit district exact religious conformity student price joining classmates varsity football religion clauses first amendment prevent government making law respecting establishment religion prohibiting free exercise thereof means commands impose prohibition religious activity public schools see lamb chapel center moriches union free school board ed westside community schools dist mergens wallace jaffree indeed common purpose religion clauses secure religious liberty engel vitale thus nothing constitution interpreted prohibits public school student voluntarily praying time schoolday religious liberty protected constitution abridged state affirmatively sponsors particular religious practice prayer iv finally district argues repeatedly made premature facial challenge october policy necessarily must fail district emphasizes quite correctly student actually delivers solemnizing message latest version policy certainty statements invocations religious thus concludes october policy necessarily survives facial challenge argument however assumes concerned serious constitutional injury occurs student forced participate act religious worship chooses attend school event constitution also requires keep mind myriad subtle ways establishment clause values eroded lynch concurring guard different yet equally important constitutional injuries one mere passage district policy purpose perception government establishment religion another implementation governmental electoral process subjects issue prayer majoritarian vote district argues facial challenge must fail santa fe football policy invalidated basis possibility even likelihood unconstitutional application brief petitioner quoting bowen kendrick establishment clause cases involving facial challenges however focused solely possible applications statute rather considered whether statute unconstitutional purpose writing bowen chief justice concluded previous cases involving facial challenges establishment clause grounds edwards aguillard mueller allen assess constitutionality enactment reference three factors first articulated lemon kurtzman guides general nature inquiry area mueller allen supra therefore proper part facial challenge us examine purpose october policy discussed supra text october policy alone reveals unconstitutional purpose plain language policy clearly spells extent school involvement election speaker content message additionally text october policy specifies one clearly preferred message santa fe traditional religious invocation finally extremely selective access policy content restrictions confirm regulation creates limited public forum expression student speech examination however need stop analysis text policy case comes us latest step developing litigation brought challenge institutional practices unquestionably violated establishment clause one practices district tradition sanctioning prayer varsity football games narrow question us whether implementation october policy insulates continuation prayers constitutional scrutiny inquiry question must include examination circumstances surrounding enactment whether government activity violates establishment clause large part legal question answered basis judicial interpretation social facts every government practice must judged unique circumstances lynch concurring discussion previous sections supra demonstrates case district direct involvement school prayer exceeds constitutional limits district nevertheless asks us pretend recognize every santa fe high school student understands clearly policy prayer district asks us accept obviously untrue messages necessary solemnize football game position essential protection student speech refuse turn blind eye context policy arose context quells doubt policy implemented purpose endorsing school prayer therefore simple enactment policy purpose perception school endorsement student prayer constitutional violation need wait inevitable confirm magnify constitutional injury wallace example invalidated alabama yet unimplemented voluntary moment silence statute based conclusion enacted sole purpose expressing state endorsement prayer activities one minute beginning school day therefore even santa fe high school student ever offer religious message october policy fails facial challenge attempt district encourage prayer also issue government efforts endorse religion evade constitutional reproach based solely remote possibility attempts may fail policy likewise survive facial challenge impermissibly imposes upon student body majoritarian election issue prayer election scheme district established governmental electoral mechanism turns school forum religious debate empowers student body majority authority subject students minority views constitutionally improper messages award power alone regardless students ultimate use like referendum board regents univ system southworth election mechanism established district undermines essential protection minority viewpoints system encourages divisiveness along religious lines threatens imposition coercion upon students desiring participate religious exercise simply establishing procedure entrusts inherently nongovernmental subject religion majoritarian vote constitutional violation injury required policy fail facial challenge properly examine policy face must deemed aware history context community forum pinette concurring part concurring judgment examination circumstances leads conclusion policy provide district constitutional safe harbor sought policy invalid face establishes improper majoritarian election religion unquestionably purpose creates perception encouraging delivery prayer series important school events judgment appeals accordingly affirmed ordered santa fe independent school district petitioner jane doe individually next friend minor children jane john doe et al writ certiorari appeals fifth circuit june chief justice rehnquist justice scalia justice thomas join dissenting distorts existing precedent conclude school district program invalid face establishment clause even disturbing holding tone opinion bristles hostility things religious public life neither holding tone opinion faithful meaning establishment clause recalled george washington request congress passed bill rights proclaimed day public thanksgiving prayer observed acknowledging grateful hearts many signal favors almighty god presidential proclamation messages papers presidents richardson ed learn late opinion respondents case challenged district program football games put practice explained salerno fact policy might operate unconstitutionally conceivable set circumstances insufficient render wholly invalid see also bowen kendrick exception principle first amendment overbreadth context concern people may refrain speech fear prosecution los angeles police dept reporting publishing slip similar justification establishment clause cases speech chilled existence government policy might unconstitutionally endorse religion nonreligion therefore question whether district policy may applied violation establishment clause whether inevitably venturing realm prophesy decides need wait inevitable invalidates district policy face see ante applies rigid version test lemon kurtzman lemon checkered career decisional law see lamb chapel center moriches union free school scalia concurring judgment collecting opinions criticizing lemon wallace jaffree rehnquist dissenting stating lemon test represents determined effort craft workable rule historically faulty doctrine rule sound doctrine attempts service internal quotation marks omitted committee public ed religious liberty regan stevens dissenting deriding sisyphean task trying patch together blurred indistinct variable barrier described lemon even gone far state never binding us lynch donnelly repeatedly emphasized unwillingness confined single test criterion sensitive area two cases even apply lemon test citing marsh chambers larson valente indeed lee weisman opinion upon relies heavily today mentioned feel compelled apply lemon test see also agostini felton stating lemon entanglement test merely aspect inquiry statute effect hunt mcnair stating lemon factors helpful signposts even appropriate apply lemon test district policy invalidated face applies lemon holds policy invalid face establishes improper majoritarian election religion unquestionably purpose creates perception encouraging delivery prayer series important school events ante reliance conclusions misses mark first misconstrues nature majoritarian election permitted policy election prayer religion see ante contrary election permitted policy process whereby students vote first whether student speaker football games second students vote speaker speaker app conceivable election become one student candidates campaign platforms focus whether pray elected also conceivable election lead christian prayer percent football games upon implementation policy operated fashion record us review whether policy applied violated establishment clause unduly suppressed minority viewpoints possible students might vote pregame speaker case threat constitutional violation also possible election focus prayer public speaking ability social popularity student campaigning begin focus prayer school might decide implement reasonable campaign ignores possibilities holding merely granting student body power elect speaker may choose pray regardless students ultimate use acceptable ante holds despite speech may occur result election process private government speech elected student government choose say support holding found cases essentially invalidates student elections newly elected student body president even newly elected prom king queen use opportunities public speaking say prayers view mere grant power students vote offices light fear elected might publicly pray violates establishment clause second respect policy purpose holds simple enactment policy purpose perception school endorsement student prayer constitutional violation ante policy plausible secular purposes solemnize event promote good sportsmanship student safety establish appropriate environment competition app governmental body expresses plausible secular purpose enactment courts generally defer stated intent wallace supra concurring judgment see also mueller allen stressing reluctance attribute unconstitutional motives particularly plausible secular purpose state program may discerned face statute grants deference appears openly hostile toward policy stated purposes wastes time concluding sham example dismisses secular purpose solemnization claiming invites encourages religious messages ante cf lynch concurring discussing legitimate secular purposes solemnizing public occasions concludes based rather strange view religious message obvious means solemnizing event ante easy think solemn messages religious nature example urging game fought fairly sporting events often begin solemn rendition national anthem concluding verse motto god trust logic public school sponsors singing national anthem football games violates establishment clause although apparently believes solemnizing football games illegitimate purpose voters school district seem disagree nothing establishment clause prevents making bases conclusion true purpose policy endorse student prayer view school district history establishment clause violations context policy written latest step developing litigation brought challenge institutional practices unquestionably violated establishment clause ante context attempted compliance district order actually demonstrates school district acting diligently come within governing constitutional law district ordered school district formulate policy consistent fifth circuit precedent permitted school district policy see jones clear creek independent school school district went required district order eventually settled policy gave student speaker choice deliver either invocation message school district exhibited willingness comply exceed establishment clause restrictions thus policy viewed sectarian also relies decision lee weisman support conclusion lee concluded content speech issue graduation prayer given rabbi directed controlled school official words issue lee government speech contrast potential speech issue policy allowed proceed message invocation selected created student speech issue private speech crucial difference government speech endorsing religion establishment clause forbids private speech endorsing religion free speech free exercise clauses protect applies particular force question endorsement board ed westside community schools dist mergens plurality opinion emphasis original policy put practice students may chosen speaker according wholly secular criteria like good public speaking skills social popularity student speaker may chosen accord deliver religious message application policy likely pass constitutional muster see lee supra souter concurring state chosen graduation day speakers according wholly secular criteria one speakers state actor individually chosen deliver religious message harder attribute endorsement religion state finally seems demand government policy completely neutral content considered one endorses religion see ante undoubtedly new requirement establishment clause jurisprudence simply mandate content neutrality concept found first amendment speech cases used guide determining apply strict scrutiny example look content neutrality reviewing loudness restrictions imposed speech public forums see ward rock racism regulations picketing see boos barry seems think fact policy content neutral somehow controls establishment clause inquiry see ante even speech jurisprudence require public school actions respect student speech content neutral see bethel school dist fraser allowing imposition sanctions student speaker nominating fellow student elective office assembly referred candidate terms elaborate sexually explicit metaphor schools violate first amendment every time restrict student speech certain categories view school policy student body president solemnize graduation ceremony giving favorable introduction guest speaker facially unconstitutional solemnization invites encourages prayer policy content limitations prohibit student body president giving solemn yet message like commentary foreign policy see ante policy issue may applied unconstitutional manner time enough invalidate found case reverse judgment appeals footnotes decision fifth circuit appeals noted many district officials apparently neither agreed particularly respected month complaint filed district entered order provided part ny attempt part district school administration officials counsellors teachers employees servants school district parents students anyone else overtly covertly ferret identities plaintiffs cause means bogus petitions questionnaires individual interrogation downright snooping cease immediately anyone taking action school property school hours school resources approval purposes attempting elicit names identities plaintiffs cause action behalf individuals face harshest possible contempt sanctions may additionally face criminal liability wants proceedings addressed merits basis intimidation harassment participants either side app graduation ceremony senior class president delivered invocation please bow heads dear heavenly father thank allowing us gather safely tonight thank wonderful year allowed us spend together students santa fe thank teachers devoted many hours us thank lord parents may one receive special blessing pray also blessing guidance student moves forward future lord bless ceremony give us safe journey home jesus name pray example prohibited school officials endorsing participating baccalaureate ceremony sponsored santa fe ministerial alliance ordered district establish policies deal manifest first amendment infractions teachers counsellors district school officials personnel ridiculing berating holding inappropriate scrutiny examination beliefs individual students similarly school district establish clarify existing procedures excluding overt covert sectarian proselytizing religious teaching use blatantly denominational religious terms spelling lessons denominational religious songs poems english choir classes denominational religious stories parables grammar lessons like time allowing frank open discussion moral religious societal views beliefs student giving invocation thanked lord keeping class safe years school gracing lives two special people closed lord ask keep hand upon us ceremony help us keep hearts rest lives god name pray amen student benediction similar content closed lord ask protection depart next destination watch us go separate ways grant us safe trip keep us secure throughout night name pray amen despite changes school conduct another election october policy supersede results august policy election provides student activities ceremonies football games board chosen permit students deliver brief invocation message delivered ceremonies home varsity football games solemnize event promote good sportsmanship student safety establish appropriate environment competition upon advice direction high school principal spring high school student council shall conduct election high school student body secret ballot determine whether statement invocation part ceremonies shall elect student list student volunteers deliver statement invocation student volunteer selected classmates may decide message invocation deliver consistent goals purposes policy district enjoined order enforcement policy following policy automatically become applicable policy school district board chosen permit students deliver brief invocation message delivered ceremonies home varsity football games solemnize event promote good sportsmanship student safety establish appropriate environment competition upon advice direction high school principal spring high school student council shall conduct election high school student body secret ballot determine whether message invocation part ceremonies shall elect student list student volunteers deliver statement invocation student volunteer selected classmates may decide statement invocation deliver consistent goals purposes policy message invocation delivered student must nonsectarian nonproselytizing graduation prayers issue instant case contrast infused explicit references jesus christ otherwise appeal distinctively christian beliefs accordingly finds use prayers graduation ceremonies considered light overall manner delivered violated establishment clause app pet cert dissent overlooks case incorrectly assumes policy football games permissible fifth circuit see post fact several secular reasons allowing brief serious message football games district listed policy sporting events messages invocations promote among things honest fair play clean competition individual challenge one best importance team work many goals majority conceive pause relinquished editorial control district created limited public forum students give brief statements prayers concerning value goals methods achieving majority fails realize issue facial challenge school policy neutral accommodation private religious speech allows students selected students express personal viewpoints state involved school board neither scripted supervised endorsed suggested edited personal viewpoints yet majority imposes judicial curse upon sectarian religious speech see brief petitioner citing rosenberger limited public forum widmar vincent limited public forum capitol square review advisory bd pinette traditional public forum lamb chapel center moriches union free school limited public forum although district relies public forum cases actually argue pregame ceremony constitutes forum conclusion district created public forum help shed light whether resulting speech public private also note never held mere creation public forum shields government entity scrutiny estalishment clause see pinette concurring part concurring judgment see necessity carve exception endorsement test public forum context school internal mail system perry open various private organizations ocal parochial schools church groups ymca cub scout units instead choice invocation pregame message first election determined whether political speech made second election determined whether speaker democrat republican rather clear public address system used deliver partisan message reflecting viewpoint majority rather random statement private individual fact district policy provides election speaker majority voted message identifies obvious distinction case typical election student body president even newly elected prom king queen post brief petitioner quoting board ed westside community schools dist mergens plurality opinion tr oral arg chief justice hypothetical student body president asked school introduce guest speaker biography accomplishments see post dissenting opinion obviously pose problems establishment clause see webster third new international dictionary defining invocation prayer entreaty usu ally call divine presence offered beginning meeting service worship see supra even plain language october policy facially neutral establishment clause forbids state hide behind application formally neutral criteria remain studiously oblivious effects actions capitol square review advisory bd pinette making point free exercise context think government position interest suffices force students choose compliance forfeiture demonstrates fundamental inconsistency argumentation fails acknowledge many deborah classmates parents spiritual imperative daniel deborah weisman religious conformance compelled state societies wishes majority might prevail establishment clause first amendment addressed contingency rejects balance urged upon us constitution forbids state exact religious conformity student price attending high school graduation calculus constitution commands lee chief justice accuses us essentially invalidat ing student elections see post obvious hyperbole concluded resulting religious message policy attributable school student see supra reason hold district decision allow student majority control whether students minority views subjected prayer violates establishment clause chief justice contends misconstrue nature policy election prayer religion see post therefore reiterate district stipulated facts recent election held determine whether student deliver prayer varsity football games students chose allow student say prayer football games second election held determine student deliver prayer app emphases added furthermore policy titled prayer football games emphasis added although district since eliminated word prayer policy apparently viewed change sufficiently minor make holding new election unnecessary footnotes rightly points facial challenges establishment clause context looked lemon three factors guid general nature inquiry ante internal quotation marks omitted citing bowen kendrick bowen looked lemon guide determined federal grant program invalid face noting practice considering facial challenges statutes kind strike anticipation particular applications may result unconstitutional use funds internal quotation marks omitted rather look lemon guide applies lemon factors stringently ignores bowen admonition mere anticipation unconstitutional applications warrant striking policy face attempts support misinterpretation nature election process noting district stipulated facts recent election see ante course recent election conducted previous policy policy required elected student speaker give pregame invocation see app election policy issue expressly allows student speaker give message opposed invocation reliance language regarding student referendum board regents univ system southworth support conclusion respect election process misplaced case primarily concerned free speech particularly mandated financial support public forum stated case applied context presented appropriate record language southworth become applicable fact southworth demonstrates impropriety making decision respect election process without record operation remanded part determination referendum functions see slip also determines use term invocation policy express endorsement type message others see ante less cynical view policy text permits many types messages including invocations policy tolerates religion mean improperly endorses indeed majority reluctantly admits free exercise clause mandates tolerance see ante othing constitution interpreted prohibits public school student voluntarily praying time schoolday see also lynch donnelly constitution require complete separation church state affirmatively mandates accommodation merely tolerance religions forbids hostility toward wallace jaffree distinguishable grounds struck alabama statute added express reference prayer existing statute providing moment silence meditation school district added secular alternative policy originally provided prayer importantly wallace unrebutted evidence pointed wholly religious purpose alabama conceded courts purpose statute make prayer part daily classroom activity concurring judgment evidence 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