High School Student Allowed to Pray in the Name of God at Graduation

The ACLJ recently assisted a high school student in quietly resolving another situation where a school official misunderstood the law. This South Carolina student was asked to deliver a prayer at her public high school graduation. However, she was told by a school official that she could not pray in the name of God or Jesus and that the school would be fined for such speech. 

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GLAM Intern Receives Summer Studio Scholarship

Alyssa LaRocca, GLAM InternThe College has awarded 12 scholarships to elementary, middle and high-school students to attend the 2012 Summer Studio! Alyssa Larocca, a rising senior at Independence High School in Thompson's Station and Jennifer Marshall, a rising senior at Obion County Central High School in Troy, Tenn., were chosen by a panel of judges to receive the two full scholarships. Entries were evaluated on the applicant's questionnaire answers, teacher comments and quality of submitted work.

LaRocca, who hopes to attend O'More after graduation, said she's looking forward to interacting with other Summer Studio participants and instructors.

"The opportunity to attend this program means so much to me," LaRocca said. "I love design and the freedom that comes with it. I'm excited to receive direction from the teachers and other students, and to share what I know as well." 

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Pro-Choice Supporters are at a Record Low

A newly released Gallup poll shows that only 41% of Americans now identify themselves as "pro-choice," a record low. A look back at the history of these polls shows at least two things: they are notoriously fickle, often seeming to show a reaction against the party in power; but there is also a general trend in the pro-life direction, which Gallup acknowledges. So, while we in no way base our pro-life convictions on polls, it is encouraging to see this general trend.

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This Week is Women's Health Week

The president proclaimed on Monday that May 13 through May 19, 2012, will now be known as National Women's Health Week.

"I encourage all Americans to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting women's health and to promote awareness, prevention, and educational activities that improve the health of all women," he said in a statement.

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Choosing the Best Sunscreens—and Avoiding the Worst

It's sunscreen shopping season and the just-released 2012 Sunscreen Guide published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) helps steer consumers toward healthy, affordable choices. This year's guide rates over 1,800 sunscreens (for both adults and kids), lip balms, and moisturizers and cosmetics with SPF. The leading cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and, according to the National Cancer Institute, over one million people are diagnosed a year.

Often people grab whatever sunscreen is labeled with the highest SPF and assume it's the best. The EWG guide warns shoppers that choosing a safe product isn't just about the numbers. Their research spotlights potential health hazards:

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