Valedictorian Barred From Speaking by School Reads Commencement Over Bullhorn

A high school valedictorian in Covington, Kentucky, was forced to read his commencement address on a bullhorn outside his graduation ceremony on Friday, May 25, after the local Catholic diocese responsible for the school ruled it was too political.Christian Bales of Holy Cross High School praised the passion and activism of his classmates and other young people including the survivors of the Parkland shooting, campaigners pushing for the removal of a Confederate monument, and the anti-abortion March for Life.“The young people will win because we’re finished being complacent. There’s a misguided notion that wisdom is directly proportional to age, but we’re disproving that daily," said Bales. A full version of his speech was published online.The River City News reported Bales and graduation speaker Katherine Frantz’s speeches had been rejected by local Catholic diocese officials for missing the review deadline and for being “political and inconsistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church.”Stephanie Bayless broadcast Bales’ speech via Facebook Live and wrote: “The young man’s speech. This young man was told this speech was too political. It was amazing. The youth will change our world.” Credit: Stephanie Bayless via Storyful