Kentucky High School withholds diploma from teen who went 'off script' and started talking about God in commencement speech

A Kentucky High School student has yet to receive his diploma after using his graduation speech to tell his classmates to find God.

Campbell County High School graduate Micah Price strayed from his approved script during his commencement ceremony Friday.

Taking the stage dressed in a purple cap and gown with a white stole, Price began his speech with the approved message giving 'the honor, the praise and the glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ.'

His initial remarks were met with a roaring applause, but he then veered further away from what school superiors expected.

'He is the light, he is the way, the truth and the life,' Price said. 

Campbell County High School graduate Micah Price (pictured) told his classmates to find God during his commencement ceremony Friday

'Class, everyone in the audience today, I'm here to tell you if you don't have any of those things in your life, you can't seem to find the answer, my lord and savior is your answer he will give you the truth, the way and the life.'

After the ceremony Price posted to TikTok to announce he was yet to receive his diploma.

'I don't have a diploma, I'm not sure if everyone has theirs yet. So if you do, congrats. If you don't, I'm right there with you,' he said.

'I was told before hand I wasn't allowed to bring up Christ, the he is the way, the truth and life in speech, I did anyways.

'I am in the wrong technically, because I went against Campbell County code, the rules.' 

Price began his speech with the approved message giving 'the honor, the praise and the glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ' - then went off script

Superintendent Shelli Wilson told WKRC Price's principal selected him to deliver the address.

She said a short portion referencing 'the honor, the praise and the glory of my lord and savior Jesus Christ' had been approved, but added he'd been advised that flipping the script could trigger consequences. 

'All speakers were told that going off their submitted speech, or any unplanned choices at graduation, may have repercussions as they would at any school function,' Wilson said.

The superintendent said Price has graduated and he will get his diploma after he meets with the principal later this week.

'While I know, personally, that many of us are proud of this young man's beliefs and are practicing Christians ourselves, the principal has to consider the possibilities of students going off the planned program,' Wilson said.

Price has not received his diploma and will only get it after he meets with the Campbell County High School principal to explain why he broke the rules 

His mother, Melonie Neely Farris, appeared proud of her son and his decision to use the time to spread messages he deemed appropriate. 

In a video on Facebook, she announced her son is joining the Air Force following graduation.

'I wanted to take a minute to share something about my son who gave a speech at his high school graduation,' she added.

'Micah is called to do what we are all called to do, share the love of Christ, that’s exactly what he did and by the way I heard things, the entire audience loved it! We will face what comes his way but we will never deny the love of Christ.'