A high school senior who claims she was banned from painting biblical messages on her student parking spot is fighting back.
Sabrina Steffens, a senior at Grand Island High School near Buffalo, New York, told CBN News that seniors at her school are allowed to personalize their paid parking spots. But when she attempted to have verses and Christian art painted on hers, the school reportedly refused.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Now, Steffens and First Liberty attorney Keisha Russell are threatening to take legal action if the school district doesn’t reverse course.
“I put in three drawings that I did, and the first drawing was a drawing of this mountain called Salvation Mountain,” Steffens said. “And when I handed it in, they said … completely no to it because it had crosses, a Bible verse, and just a lot of religion that they said that wasn’t allowed.”
Pre-order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!
The student then submitted another drawing with a Bible verse on it, which was purportedly also rejected.
“They finally agreed to … the last one, which had no Bible verses, no crosses, or anything,” Steffens said.
The incoming high school senior said she wasn’t surprised by the first denial, as she runs the school’s Bible club and purports to have experienced times when the school turned down ads from her club.
Steffens alleged it took her months to get the club started and that poster designs with Bible verses were previously rejected. Thus, these turndowns weren’t total surprises, yet First Liberty said the parking space debacle isn’t legally permissible.
Russell said First Liberty decided to help after hearing Steffens’ story, as the conservative legal firm has fought — and won — similar battles.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
“For some reason, I find [school districts] to be some of the most hostile actors when it comes to religious liberty, which is unfortunate,” she said. “Our case with Coach [Joe] Kennedy and how that played out, and I’m also representing a school teacher in Connecticut who’s been a veteran teacher for 32 years, and she was kicked out of the classroom because she keeps a crucifix by her desk.”
To read the full story, visit our content partners at CBN News.
Reprinted with permission from cbn.com. Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.
