October 28, 2025
Web desk
A Christian high school senior in Colorado Springs says her school district censored her religious expression by rejecting her faith-inspired parking space design. Sophia Shumaker, a student at Rampart High School, wanted to paint a shepherd, a sheep, and a Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4 on her reserved senior parking spot, but officials said it violated school rules that ban political and religious messages.
First Liberty Institute, a faith-based legal group representing Shumaker, argues that the school’s decision violates her First Amendment rights to free speech and religious expression. The group says several other schools within Academy School District 20 allow students to include religious imagery, making Rampart’s restriction inconsistent and discriminatory.
After her initial design was denied, Shumaker offered a simpler one featuring only the Bible reference, but she was told it would likely not be approved either. Fearing she’d lose her space, she eventually painted a neutral design but later sought legal help, claiming the school forced her to hide her faith.
First Liberty has demanded that the school let Shumaker repaint her original Christian-themed artwork and that the district rescind what it calls an “unconstitutional policy” by October 31, 2025. The district says it’s reviewing the complaint but has not yet issued a detailed response
