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High School Graduation Falls On Sabbath

A Seventh Day Adventist considered a likely valedictorian for her northwestern New Mexico high school says she may not be able to attend graduation because it falls on a Saturday, her religious sabbath.

Liberty Thompson says she really wants to walk with her Cuba High School classmates but believes it's important to put God first.

The school district scheduled graduation for May 24 and school officials say the state Public Education Department says the date can't be changed.

However, the department says it didn't provide that guidance and it says calendar decisions are made locally.

Thompson has a 4.0 GPA and is the school's cross-country team captain. Her father says his daughter will have earned the equivalent of a college associate's degree by the end of the school year.

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