Chamberlain School Board Rejects Honor Song Request

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. (AP) - American Indian students will not be recognized with an honor song during this year's graduation ceremony at Chamberlain High School in southeastern South Dakota.

The Daily Republic newspaper reports that the school board voted 6-1 Monday night to reject a request to allow the song.

Supporters of an honor song presented a petition to the board last month. About one-third of the students in the school district are Indian.

School board members say they want to make sure graduation recognizes educational achievements, rather than favoring one culture over another. They also say a ceremony led by the district's Native American Club the night before graduation honors tribal students.