A religious civil liberties law firm is touting its intervention in a case that allowed a Monroe High School sophomore to perform a Christian rap song at a school talent show this week. A school administrator initially banned performance of the song. Officials with the Liberty Counsel, based in Florida, Virginia and Washington, said James Whipper, 16, performed the song "He's Calling" at a school talent show Wednesday and won first place.

According to Liberty Counsel officials, assistant principal Montyne Barbee told James on Tuesday to perform a non-religious song. School officials could not be reached Friday.

Kenyetta Whipper, James' mother, contacted Liberty Counsel and met with Barbee. Liberty Counsel officials said they also sent a letter to the school's principal explaining that schools "cannot censor our religious speech" in events like a talent show for which students choose their own material to perform.