Red Cross Word Ban Keeps Students Off Stage
A student troupe canceled a Sunday performance at an American Red Cross luncheon after the charity barred it from using the words “God” and “prayer.”
Seventh- and eighth-graders from the Orange County High School of the Arts had planned to sing a medley of “America the Beautiful,” “Prayer of the Children,” and “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Group director Cherilyn Bacon said a Red Cross representative told her the lyrics might offend some of those attending the annual Volunteer Recognition Awards of the Orange County chapter.
Another vocal group from the same school was to perform.
“We have to be neutral and impartial in all situations,” said chapter spokeswoman Rebecca Long.
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