by Jorge Gomez & Jayla Ward • 2 minutes
Great news! Our client Sabrina Steffans was allowed to paint her parking space with a Bible verse and religious artwork.
Grand Island High School, near Buffalo, New York, initially rejected Sabrina’s designs, saying she couldn’t include references to her faith. We sent a letter to school officials explaining why that was unconstitutional—and it only took about a week to receive a favorable response.
Even better, school district officials said Sabrina could use her original design. No edits or changes needed!
“We are pleased that the school district has changed course and will allow Sabrina to truly express her deeply held beliefs,” said Keisha Russell, Senior Counsel for First Liberty.
Sabrina recently appeared on Fox News. She shared why it’s so meaningful to her to be able to express her faith through her parking space design. Watch below
It’s school tradition to allow seniors to pay for a parking space and paint it. Sabrina is a model student. She loves people and art. She leads her school’s Bible club. She’s passionate about her faith. So, it makes perfect sense why she saw this as a perfect opportunity to express her religious beliefs through her love of art.
Sabrina submitted a design that featured “Salvation Mountain,” along with the phrases “God is love,” “He loves you,” a cross, and John 14:6. The school rejected it.
Hoping she’d still get a chance to paint her spot, Sabrina sent other designs. Those were also rejected. The school said to get approval, she’d have to drop the Bible references and mentions of God.
According to the school district, Sabrina’s personal design on her paid-for spot would be considered “government speech.”
Our attorneys made clear in our letter that Sabrina wasn’t coloring outside the lines of the Constitution. Students have a constitutional right to express their faith on school property. What Sabrina and other students paint on parking spots is their private expression.
In an interview with CBN News, Sabrina shared that this wasn’t the first time the school singled out her religious expression. School administrators also dragged their feet for months before approving the Bible club. They had rejected her club’s ads and posters that included religious messaging and scriptures.
That’s why this victory is so meaningful to Sabrina. She can put all of that behind her and focus on what’s ahead.
She starts school next week—and with her religious freedom restored, Sabrina is free to live out her faith and make the most of her senior year.
“Just because you’re young,” Sabrina shared with a local news outlet, “doesn’t mean you don’t have the power to bring change to your school, to your life.”
Thank you for supporting First Liberty. You share a special part in victories like this one, which make a huge difference in the lives of Americans.
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