"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and state".
Those are the words of Thomas Jefferson, and yet, more than 200 years later the fight over religion's place in our country continues.
That battleground was Medina Vally High School in Castroville.
It wasn't much of a battle Saturday night, though. But more like a victory party.
There were no protesters, no boo's, just lots of cheers for the hard-fought right to have a little God in the ceremony, a commencement ceremony that has been shrouded in controversy.
It all started with two Medina Valley High School students expressing their freedom of speech, both strong in their convictions.
Not even ten days ago, senior Corwyn Schultz, an agnostic, filed a lawsuit banning prayer during the graduation ceremony - he won.
Then valedictorian Angela Hildenbrand appealed, and she won - not only in the courts, but in the hearts and minds of Medina County and at the graduation where Schultz was not in attendance.
"And most of all I thank you for your great love for us and for our great nation where we are free, and it's in Jesus' name I pray. Amen," said Hildenbrand.
Hildenbrand also had these words of wisdom for the graduating class of 2011:
"Impossible is not a word, just another reason to try... You all have the potential to do great things."
