A high school in central Kentucky decided to hold onto its tradition of including a prayer at their graduation ceremony. Not everyone was pleased.

Eric Owens of The Daily Caller reports.

Graduation prayer at rural Kentucky high school irks atheists, delights Christians

As another year of high school comes to a close in communities across this great nation, you can count on two things: a few really futile and stupid senior pranks along with at least one kerfuffle over prayer during a commencement ceremony.

This year’s graduation prayer-related brouhaha comes courtesy of Lincoln County High School in central Kentucky. In the face of a challenge from at least half a dozen students, the rural public school’s graduation ceremony included a prayer by the senior-class president, reports The Advocate-Messenger.

A student-led prayer has been an annual tradition for each graduating class. Jonathan Hardwick, the Class of 2013 president, delivered this year’s version.

“Thank you for helping us get here safely today, Lord, and thank you for the many blessings you have given us,” Hardwick said, according to the Danville newspaper.

Friday night’s entreaty lasted about a minute. Many audience members repeated Hardwick’s closing “Amen.” There was also a standing ovation.

Outside, a few local residents held signs signaling their support of the prayer.

Ricky Smith, an atheist who was once a Christian, appears to be a major force — perhaps the primary force — behind the opposition to the annual prayer. He attended the graduation because some students and parents had requested his presence.

Smith seems to have politely exited the ceremony for the duration of the prayer. “Having church groups at the entrance of the school makes non-Christian students as well as their family members and friends feel uncomfortable and even threatened,” Smith told The Advocate-Messenger.

“Every student should feel safe at their graduation and should not have to worry about religious bullying,” he added.