Grand Island Student Fights for Religious Expression in Parking Spot

A senior at Grand Island Senior High School is challenging her school’s refusal to allow her to express her religious beliefs through a personalized parking spot design. For the past two years, students in the Grand Island Central School District have been able to customize their parking spaces for a fee of $50. Sabrina Steffans submitted a design featuring a Bible verse and religious imagery, only to have it denied by school officials.

According to First Liberty Institute, the Texas-based legal organization representing Steffans, school leaders deemed her design “inappropriate” due to its religious content. In a demand letter sent to the district on August 12, 2025, First Liberty requested that officials reconsider their decision.

Keisha Russell, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, emphasized the legal implications of the school’s actions, labeling the denial as “viewpoint discrimination.” She explained that Steffans initially submitted two designs that were rejected before finally receiving approval for a third design. This approved design retained the phrase “Let your light shine” from one of her earlier submissions but omitted direct scripture references, as suggested by her assistant principal.

Despite her current approval, Steffans remains determined to contest the school’s initial rejections. “Just merely rejecting a very benign, religious message is going to be problematic for them in court,” Russell stated. She further explained that while the school has the authority to reject messages that could incite violence, it must maintain neutrality concerning religious expressions.

Steffans is pursuing this matter not only for herself but also for the principle of religious expression. Russell articulated the student’s motivation, saying, “In her mind, she feels like her constitutional rights are being trampled on. Other students are allowed to express themselves, but she feels she must censor her speech because of her religious views.”

The Grand Island Central School District has been allowing students to design their reserved parking spaces for three years. In response to the legal letter, Brian Graham, Superintendent of the district, stated, “We obviously need time to review, digest, and discuss it. While we do so, we’re happy to pause the deadline for students to complete their parking space designs.” He indicated that the district would provide an update once the review process concludes.

First Liberty Institute is awaiting the district’s response regarding Steffans’ ability to express her religious beliefs on her parking space. If the district denies this request, the law firm plans to file a preliminary injunction in federal court in New York State, potentially escalating the matter further.

This case raises important questions about the balance between school policies and constitutional rights, particularly regarding religious expression in public schools. As the situation unfolds, both Steffans and First Liberty Institute remain poised to advocate for what they believe is a fundamental right to express one’s faith, even in unexpected places like a school parking spot.