Student runs on 'Jesus' platform

Published: Sept. 30, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Order reprints
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A poster with the headline "Jesus Loves You" put up by a student council president candidate at a Florida elementary school has prompted some criticism.

Lexi Hayward, 11, told WJXT-TV in Jacksonville that she just wants to promote her faith. The poster's full text is "Jesus Loves You; Lexi For Prez."

"My friends say it's cool, and they'll vote for me and stuff," Lexi said.

So far, officials at Thunderbolt Elementary School in Fleming Island say they are letting the poster stay up.

"It's a poster created by a student, not by the school, not by the district," said Darlene Mahla, a spokeswoman for Clay County. "It doesn't insult anyone. Again, it's not inflammatory and it's not what the law calls school-sponsored speech."

The school has received at least one anonymous letter from someone who described herself as the mother of a Thunderbolt student. She said that although she is a Christian she finds the poster "scary."

But most parents waiting outside the school Monday said they have no problems with Lexi's campaign. One did say she could see some people might find it offensive.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Report: Bivens out as LPGA commissioner (2 min)
Professor charged with sexual misconduct (7 min)
China quake destroys 10,000 homes (10 min)
LA spent $1.4 million on Jackson services (14 min)
5 teens killed by train at level crossing (27 min)
S.F. mayor orders healthy food in city (35 min)
Phelps sets world record in butterfly (45 min)
fark
Photoshop this artistic smoker
Swami Baba Ramdev has challenged a landmark Indian court ruling legalising gay sex, claiming it...
AZ man blows a smooth .40 with almost sober looking mugshot
When trying to get away from the police, driving off a boat launch only works on tv and the movies....
Sears, Kmart already selling Christmas merchandise
MoveOn.org draws a crowd of 30 demonstrators in Alabama. None miss work