The school has defended the school decision to exclude Runkles from the ceremony.

“Maddi is being disciplined not because she’s pregnant, but because she was immoral,” they said in an official statement, which has since been published on Twitter.

“The Student Pledge which every student from 5th grade through to 12th grade signs stats that this application of Phillippnes 4:8 ‘extends to my actions, such as protecting my body by abstaining from sexual immorality and from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs’.

“Heritage is pleased that she has chosen to not abort her son. However her immorality is the original choice she made that began this situation.”

The Board added that they are not “harsh, cruel, hard-hearted men” (because, of course, they are men) and that they spent “countless hours in prayer” before coming to a decision.

“[On graduation night, we] want God to be glorified in a dignified manner,” they finished. “Please enable us to do this.”

Images: Fox News / iStock

A student has been banned from her graduation because she’s pregnant