At Saint Bonaventure Catholic School, a controversy has arisen involving Jimmy Heyward, a middle-school student running for “Commissioner of School Spirit & Patriotism,” who was prevented from delivering his campaign speech.
His parents claim that Principal Mary Flock barred him from speaking because the speech included patriotic content that she found objectionable.
Principal’s Tough Call: Remove Patriotism or No Speech
Jimmy’s mother, Hattie Ruggles, has publicly stated that Principal Flock requested changes to the speech, specifically to remove references to patriotism.
According to Ruggles, “Jimmy stood up to her and said he wasn’t going to take the parts about patriotism out of his speech,” which led to him being barred from delivering it at the school assembly.
Student’s Response to Speech Censorship
Despite being instructed to modify his speech, Jimmy decided against making the changes.
His mother’s statement in a Change petition highlights his decision: “She then told him he would not be speaking.” Consequently, Jimmy was present on stage but did not participate while other students delivered their speeches.
Alleged Humiliation During School Rally
According to his mother, Jimmy experienced public humiliation as he sat silently on stage during the rally.
“Jimmy sat on stage with all the other candidates while they said their speeches. Mary Flock directed the kids hosting the rally to skip Jimmy entirely,” Ruggles stated, describing the situation as a complete humiliation by Principal Flock.
Symbolic Attire Worn by the Student
During the school election rally, Jimmy wore a red hat and a campaign sign styled after Donald Trump’s iconic merchandise, but with the text “Make SBS Great Again.”
This attire was meant to complement his speech and campaign theme, which emphasized school spirit and patriotism.
Parental Confrontation at School Event
The incident escalated when Jimmy’s father, Ed Heyward, confronted the school’s principal and vice principal at the assembly.
He accused them of discrimination, stating that “his views didn’t align with theirs.” This confrontation added to the tension of the situation.
Involvement of Law Enforcement
The situation escalated to the point where the Huntington Beach Police Department was called. “The principal then called the Huntington Beach Police Department to remove the upset father,” Ruggles mentioned.
However, after discussing the matter, the police allowed Mr. Heyward to stay and watch the assembly with other families.
Principal’s Explanation in Email Communication
Following the event, Principal Flock sent an email to parents explaining the decision to prevent Jimmy from speaking.
She mentioned that the speech did not have the required approval for the adjusted final version, which was necessary to align with school values.
School Defends Its Decision Amidst Criticism
Saint Bonaventure Catholic School issued a statement defending its decision.
They said, “St. Bonaventure Catholic School is dedicated to fostering a Catholic, Christ-centered learning environment… We encourage freedom of speech, recognizing that allowing students to express their thoughts and ideas is crucial for their growth and development.”
Reason for Speech Rejection Cited by School
The school acknowledged the positive aspects of Jimmy’s speech but expressed concerns over what it described as “negative comments.”
This led them to request modifications to ensure the content remained positive and respectful, in line with the school’s values and Christian Code of Conduct.
Dispute Over Speech Approval
The Heyward family asserts that Jimmy’s final speech draft was submitted on time and viewed by the principal, contradicting the school’s claim that the speech delivered at the rally was not the approved version.
This discrepancy is central to the ongoing dispute between the family and the school.
Broader Community Reaction to the Incident
The incident has sparked discussions within the Huntington Beach community and beyond, about the limits of free speech in educational settings and the appropriate balance between school policies and individual expression.
Both sides of the debate remain firm in their positions as the community closely watches the unfolding events.
