Recently graduated Roy Costner IV, a high school student in South Carolina, took the stage at his graduation this week with his previously approved valedictorian speech in hand.

Only, he decided not to use it. And what he did do was met with raucous applause.

Instead of giving his normal speech at the Liberty High School graduation, Costner decided to talk about his faith, his upbringing in a Christian home and that's when he started reciting the Lord's prayer, which was met with loud cheers from the audience.

According to the YouTube video caption and other reports, Costner decided to use the Lord's prayer as his commencement speech after the school district decided to institute a rule not allowing prayer, but instead moments of silence, at all school events after receiving pressure from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

“Those that we look up to, they have helped carve and mold us into the young adults that we are today,” Costner said during his speech. “I’m so glad that both of my parents led me to the Lord at a young age.”

“And I think most of you will understand when I say…” he added, before going into the Lord's prayer.

The district said it will not seek punishment against Costner, who either way, was in fact graduated.

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