The Exeter Union High School District approved a moment of silence instead of a prayer during Friday’s 2010 graduation, but that didn’t stop many in the audience from praying out loud. During a planned moment of silence at the Exeter Union High School stadium, spectators recited the Lord’s Prayer, found in the New Testament of the Bible under Matthew 9:6-13.

After the moment of silence, observed by most of the students themselves, audience members shouted “Praise God!”

In the backdrop of the graduation, a sign hung from an adjacent packinghouse read: “In Jesus’ name we pray . . . Amen, Class of 2010.”

Newman was for keeping the official prayer, he said, but added that the moment of silence should have been honored by the audience.Graduate Sara Avila offered mixed feelings on the issue.

“In some ways I was kind of embarrassed and in some ways I was kind of relieved someone stood up,” she said.

Carlotta Spurger, who identified herself as godmother of a graduate, said she supported having a formal prayer.