News Release
For Immediate Release: 10.28.25
Contact: Natalie Konstans, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Colorado High School Senior Can Add Christian Message To Parking Space After Law Firm Sends Letter
The Colorado school district will allow all seniors to re-paint their parking spots to include religious imagery.
Colorado Springs, CO—Today, First Liberty Institute announced that Academy School District 20 will allow Sophia Shumaker to re-paint her parking space with her original design that includes a Bible verse and religious images. The district will also update its guidelines and permit students throughout the district to include religious messages on their parking spots.
“The First Amendment protects students’ private expressions of faith in public schools,” said Keisha Russell, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “We are encouraged that the school district will now allow students like Sophia to update their decorated spaces with religious themes for the remainder of the year, and we hope that it will make such a policy permanent so future students can enjoy the same opportunities.”
Sophia Shumaker is a senior at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is a Christian, who loves to express her faith through artwork. Rampart High School allows seniors, for a small fee, to reserve and decorate their school parking space as it “builds school spirit, beautifies [the] campus, and creates lasting memories.” The previous guidelines prohibited messages that the school deems, “offensive, negative, rude, gang-related, political, religious, or trademarked images.” But Rampart’s school district contains several schools that do allow religious messages.
Sophia requested to paint her space with a shepherd on a hill, a staff and a sheep, along with a Bible verse. School officials denied her request based on the school’s guidelines. Sophia eventually asked to put only 1 Corinthians 13:4 on her space but was told it would likely not be approved. Now, the school district has approved Sophia to paint her original design with religious imagery, following our demand letter.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Natalie Konstans at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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