Cherokee County School District students see themselves as caught in the middle of a legal battle that will decide the site of their graduation ceremonies.

Students say they're voicing their opinions in hopes the school board members tasked with making the decision will consider their views.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization, is threatening to sue the school district if it continues to conduct the ceremonies at First Baptist Church of Woodstock.

The school board is expected to vote on the issue at its Jan. 20 meeting.

Cherokee High School freshman Brandon Roberts, 15, son of Jason and Jenny Roberts of Sutallee, said he believes the ceremonies should stay at the church.

"I think this whole controversy is outrageous," he said, adding moving the events would be "discriminating" against Christians.

As Cherokee High's Fellowship of Christian Athletes co-president, Roberts said it's his "obligation" to speak out on the issue, noting the move also would cost the school district more money.

The school district rents the 7,000-seat church for $2,000 per school ceremony, which totaled $14,000 for last May's events. There are no venues of the same size or larger in Cherokee, and those outside the county start at $40,000 a day.

Students have been encouraged by their principals to contact the school board to express their viewpoints.

Sequoyah High School senior Shelby Moore said she's "offended" the school district isn't polling students.

"It is ridiculous that we, as students, have no vote in what happens to us," said the 17-year-old daughter of Dwight and Carolyn Moore of southeast Cherokee County. "As the population being affected, we should have a say in our future."

Shelby said graduation is one of the "greatest achievements" of students' lives, and the ceremonies should stay at the church so students can invite as many guests as they want.

School district officials have said if they're forced to conduct the ceremonies in smaller, secular venues, such as school gyms, attendance will be limited.

Sequoyah High School senior Megan Loudermilk, who is the school's student delegate to the county school board, also sees the church as the best location for the graduations.

However, Megan, 17, daughter of Dean and Carin Loudermilk of Hickory Flat, said there is one downside to using the church: students aren't permitted to toss their caps at the end of the ceremony.

Describing himself as a "nonreligious person," CrossRoads High School student Brian Allen said if given the option, he "wouldn't want my graduation in a church."

But Brian, 17, son of Peggy Allen of Canton, said he feels the issue has been "blown out of proportion," adding the school board's priority should be finding the "cheapest, most efficient venue" for students.

Allen, his school's delegate to the school board, said while most students at his school want the ceremonies to remain at the church, they aren't talking much about the issue.

"I understand that anytime you add religion to the mix, it's going to get heated because people are pretty passionate about that," he added.

Cherokee High School senior Sydne Workman is the county student advisor to the school board.

A student advisor is selected every school year from one high school in the county on a rotating basis. A delegate from each high school is chosen every year. The delegates sit in the audience at the meetings, and the advisor sits at the table with the board.

The 17-year-old daughter of Mark and Beverly Workman of BridgeMill, Sydne said leaving the graduations at the church is the most "practical" decision the board can make.

For Sydne, changing the graduation venue also would be more costly on a personal level, as her family would need to order and pay for new graduation invitations.

Sydne said she expects a large group of students to come to the Jan. 20 school board meeting and hopes the board will take stock in what they have to say.

"Maybe we can give them a new perspective," she said.