CAMPBELL COUNTY, Ky. (WKRC) – A local high school graduate has not received his diploma yet, after he went off-script during a commencement speech.
On Friday, Campbell County High School graduate Micah Price encouraged his classmates to find god during his speech. Leaders in the school district says it wasn't what he prepared.
Superintendent Shelli Wilson says Price's principal chose him to give a speech at the graduation. Administrators approve the speeches which are rehearsed by students.
Wilson says Price was approved to thank his "lord and savior Jesus Christ" at the beginning, and then he was supposed to continue into his speech. Instead, he encouraged his classmates to find God.
"He is the light, he is the way, the truth and the life," Price said. "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."
Price says he did not get his diploma at graduation because of it.
"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," Superintendent Wilson said in a statement to Local 12.
Price is not ready to for an interview yet, but he has been outspoken on TikTok.
"I am in the wrong technically, because I went against Campbell County code, the rules," Price said in one of his videos.
Price says his story has led to people threatening school leaders.
"Anyone that's taking a hateful route to this I please ask just you know, take a chill pill, take a time out because in John 1, it talks about how it is absolutely impossible to say you're a Christian if you don't love your brother or your neighbor," Price said in the video.
Superintendent Wilson says Price is 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.
At first, Price thought he would have to meet with the whole school board to get his diploma, but he is now told he only needs to meet with his principal.
"If you truly consider yourself a Christian, be loving and pray for me, that's all I need but thank you for the support, thanks for the support, we will get the diploma, everything's going to be fine," Price said.
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