Valedictorian Threatened Withheld Diploma For Speaking Out about Heartbeat Bill In Texas

Smith delivered the valedictorian speech at Lake Highland High School in Dallas on Sunday. The speech had been expected to focus on the effect of the news media on young people. However, when Smith reached the stage, she shifted gears and spoke against the state's restrictive new anti-abortion law. Video of the speech had been viewed more than 6 million times as of Thursday evening.
While Smith's original speech had been approved by the school's principal in advance, the graduation speech that she delivered had not been expected. Despite the unapproved topic change, Smith told CNN on Thursday that staff members were largely supportive of her after she left the stage.
"Afterwards, most of the staff members were very supportive and congratulatory," Smith said on Thursday.
However, Smith said that two people she did not recognize told her that the school was "considering" withholding her diploma for making the off-script speech. She received her diploma regardless.