A Long Island school district approved a student's Christian extra-curricular club this week after an eight-day campaign facilitated by the Liberty Institute.
Liz Loverde's "Dare to Believe" club was initially denied recognition by the Wantagh Union Free School District, but the school board quickly reversed its decision after the Institute threatened litigation.
Loverde, 15, initially approached her Wantagh High School principal with a proposal for a Christian club that would lead community service initiatives, and encourage students to turn to God for help with their problems.
"Life appeared to me as something not worth having or living," Loverde explained. "Maybe, right now, teenagers are feeling the same way I did, and saying that life has nothing for them and that no one would care if they lived or died.
"Through 'Dare to Believe' Christian Club I want students to know that while they're going through these tough times (depression, parents divorce, self-harm, suicide, anxiety, bullying, etc.), Jesus Christ offers them another view of life; a life that is truly beautiful."
Wantagh High School has over 30 student clubs, including a "gay-straight-everyone alliance," an animal rights and recycling club, and more. Loverde's request was denied on the grounds that "Dare to Believe" is a faith-based group.
When the Liberty Institute learned of Loverde's situation, they sent a letter to district officials demanding the school approve her proposal within seven days, or face litigation.
In addition, the Institute presented Loverde's story to the media, and started a petition for the US Department of Education to "STOP ignoring the enforcement of religious freedom protections, as afforded to public school students in The Equal Access Act of 1984."
On the eighth day of their campaign, the advocacy organisation learned that the Wantagh school district was granting official recognition to "Dare to Believe," effective with the current school year.
Liberty Institute Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys applauded the decision.
"We are glad the school district has announced that it is doing the right thing by recognising Liz Loverde's club, 'Dare to Believe,'" he said in a statement.
"It took a lot of courage for a 15-year-old girl to come forward that her principal said Christian clubs are illegal. It is always a scary position for students to take a stand against government school authorities who hold significant power over their everyday lives. We look forward to Wantagh High School respecting Liz's religious liberty at school."
