Hancock County Senior Prank Goes Too Far
Stephanie Domurat
Story Created:
May 18, 2010 at 11:57 AM EDT
Story Updated:
May 19, 2010 at 11:42 AM EDT
Almost 100 Hancock County Seniors may not be able to walk for their graduation.
The Hancock County School Superintendent tells news central, despite high test results from 2010 seniors, this Saturday's graduation ceremony has been cancelled at this time. The decision follows a senior prank that happened last Friday involving more than a dozen rats and numerous crickets being released into the halls of the high school. Students and parents are fighting back while school officials say it went too far.
“I think this has caused a situation in the community. I think the parents are concerned and we are very concerned, however, we are going through an investigation and we hope we can get back to the business of educating our boys and girls,” says Awanna Leslie, Hancock County School Superintendent.
“It means a lot to us, but it means twice as much to our parents. They supported us, they paid our dues,” says one senior.
“I would like to see the graduation be put back on and let our kids have their day. Let’s just see it for what it is, a prank,” says parent, Sylvia Womble.
The superintendent says a large group of students were involved in the prank, and one staff member was injured. All students will still receive a diploma. The investigation is ongoing.
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kaden said on Saturday, May 22 at 8:25 AM
the people who did the prank needs to have graution and the people who didnt do it just let them sit their and laugh at the people who did it
CRAZYsENIORS said on Friday, May 21 at 2:32 PM
YALL GOT ISSUES
HchsSenior said on Friday, May 21 at 1:20 PM
because u dont know who did it..let go head on n hav graduation....it over with now ...theres nothan else u can do...
Anonymous said on Thursday, May 20 at 8:18 PM
It will shock you who kids are behind this hold prank that is why it is not good to say what your child won't due.
Wake up said on Thursday, May 20 at 9:52 AM
Give the culprits a school yard detail(punishment). Let them walk. You're acting like this is the first senior prank in history. End of discussion.
someone that cares about the future said on Wednesday, May 19 at 11:44 AM
Let's see.........Hmmmmm.....come on people. these are young adults that are being graduated. Picture them in a business enviornment. How can they go from here to there with no punishment? How can we accept this kind of conduct from ANY young (or older) person? Well, we cannot!! And why call her Dr. A. Leslie. Call her by her name: Awana. She is not elected. That position is given to her by the BOE-they ARE elected. Get them out and you get her out. She doesn't deserve a) the money we're paying her or b) the recognition of her title. Come on HC! Grow your children appropriately. Teach them appropriately. Vote in good people to serve the county. Learn from your mistakes-don't continue them!
HCHS Sophmore!! said on Wednesday, May 19 at 10:09 AM
Its me again. Ran out of space!! Mrs. Rhodes (injured lady)and I are cool, but what she did was wrong!! Everybody was posted on the side of the walls, while she walked right in the middle of the hall where all the oil was located. She then pointed at the oil, walked over to it, put her feet on top of it and said " Im tired of this d**n school and she need some money". The reason I know, is because I was right at the computer lab, when she said it, also the same place where she fell. If she POINTED OUT where the oil was located, she knew where it was!! So why would she walk over there to it and also on top of it.. All the school have to do is replay the video and you will see the same thing I saw.. If she needs some so called money, go pursue a higher degree..I wasn't the only person who saw this either. Some juniors saw it also and God, so you will get whats coming to you! I really like her, but it was wrong for what she did..
HCHS Sophmore!! said on Wednesday, May 19 at 9:55 AM
For all the people who say that they should canel graduation, are heartless!! My cousin worked hard so she could have the honors of marching with her classmates to recieve her dipolma and she didn't have anything to do with the so called "PRANK". Some seniors were at home, left school early, and gone for the track meet, the same day the prank took place. How would you feel if your graduation was cancelled, and you were no where to be found when your classmates pulled a prank. If you have a bucket of apples and some were rotten, you would just throw the rotten apples away, not the whole bucket. Why would you punish all 100 or more seniors for what maybe 7 did and when it started, it was more than just seniors doing someting. A freshmen was throwing flour everywhere, a junior was throwing rats, and a sophmore was throwing crickets. The WHOLE school participated with the prank and for Mrs. Rhodes (the lady who got injured) saw the oil on the foor before she even stepped on it.
Blooper said on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:10 AM
"Just a senior prank." OMG! What are you saying for these kids? You think this is okay. If the adult think all is well with this type of behavior, of course the students will think this is acceptable. This prank had gone a little too far. Be mindful of how you comment publicly. It says alot about you as an individual and citizen of your community.
I returned home to H.C. for this :( said on Wednesday, May 19 at 2:31 AM
I agree with the BOE for it pending decision. Too far is to far. Someone was injured. The video will tell all. I hope the parents of the involved seniors realize that the injured staff member can sue them for what their child did. And they probably will sue them for injury and potential loss of income if they aren't able to work in the future. If I were on the BOE, I would remove the involved students and hold their diplomas until their parents pay for the cleanup/damages they their child caused. Or make them report to the school for the entire summer to clean it up... from the bathrooms to the parking lot. We cannot allow our kids to run our community. I was saddened to her my friend make the comment "It was just a prank" I wish HCHS could go back to the days of NICHOLAS ANTONE!!! OUR KIDS ARE NOT OUR BOSSES!!!!!!!
CDS said on Wednesday, May 19 at 1:45 AM
It's not fair to all the senior to have to pay for something that they did not do these kids that had nothing to do with this need to be able to graduate that is wrong for the boe to do everybody like that because they are some kids that really don't no anything about what happen
Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:48 PM
Reality Check - you are on it. Some parents are so quick to point blame to the Board Members and Dr. Leslie. In this situation, they re making effort to maintain a safe and educational environment for the students. They are in means of doing what needs to done to clear up this situation. Canceling the graduation may cause students to come forth with more information regarding the prank.. These are children and they don't keep quiet with their intents (which they thought was humorous). This prank went all wrong. For those involved, you are lucky its just your graduation
Reality Check Continue said on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:39 PM
Parents of the seniors, you should hold the responsible students accountable and not blame the superintendent or board members for doing their job. They have a responsibility to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for all stakeholders. It is clear to me, that the student who organized and executed this act was selfish and inconsiderate of their peers. Again hold them accountable and learn from the situation, because next time, it may cost you more than your graduation!!
Well, Well, Well said on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:39 PM
Pranks have taken place in surrounding counties and charges have been brought against the students invloved. This is some serious stuff. Why couldn't these kids have painted a rock or rolle some tissue paper down the halls. They went too far and as a result caused harm to individuals. What is someone had been scared so badly and had a heart attack! Serious charges buddy. Stupid choices for those involved. What's next?
Reality Check! said on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:38 PM
When you analyze the present situation, what was the intent of the guilty? To disrupt school and to make a statement, correct! I think they accomplished both including causing a person to be injured. My question to all of the supporters of this act, do you really think our other children and staff members deserve such treatment? I do not think so. We all know that pranks are supposed to be fun, right. Well, I don’t agree again; it hurts the recipient of the prank. Now, take the emotions out of the situation and think rationally. It took time for them to think of such a prank and I know that most seniors can not keep quiet about their plans because they want the fame and glory for doing such an act. I am pretty certain that other students knew about what was going to happen and was involved by association. Let this be a valuable lesson in life for them all. They need to understand how a few can destroy a one and a lifetime opportunity like their graduation.
Hello said on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:25 PM
Some Parents need to be cautious about commenting. You may be surprised if it was your child involved.
Concerned 101 said on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:12 PM
The entire thought and planning to pull a prank such as this one was obviously ridiculous and very careless. These students did not think beyond the moment. The acted accordingly, now they must deal with the consequences. This is a lesson learned. These individuals are preparing to enter into the real world and now they have the opportunity to experience what it is means to do the crime and deal with the time. Something has gone wrong with the kids in this day and time. The prank was not cute nor funny. To the individual that was injured, you should have these students pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering and whatever else. This was totally ridiculous. I don't agree with stopping the graduation ecercise for the entire senior class. Punish those who were involved. The planned and carried out the prank, caused distress within the school environment, so deal with them.
Ridiculous said on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:18 PM
"“I would like to see the graduation be put back on and let our kids have their day. Let’s just see it for what it is, a prank,” says parent, Sylvia Womble-----------------Now That is the problem with our kids. Would hate to know how she raises her kids. If she had been the injured person in this she probably wouldn't feel this way. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what the heck is going on with these idiot kids. Atleast they are still getting their diplomas so quit whiniing. More than likely the ones complaining are the ones that had kids involved in it. Too badf that the parents spent all this money, shows how much they really appreciated their parents!If it were my child I would wear their butts out!
studentofeducation said on Tuesday, May 18 at 5:50 PM
A high school graduation is a one time thing. Any person who takes it away from an entire graduating class, because they don't know who or how to punish the individuals who caused the incident, shows no compation for the individuals who completed the education that they claim to care so much about to get elected into the school superintendent office. They are the ones who should loose something. Something like their superintendent office.
Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 18 at 3:39 PM
OK, what's up with the baby oil? How stupid is that? up. If the seniors want to walk make theme clean it up!!
Ridiculous said on Tuesday, May 18 at 3:37 PM
Kids should learn that they can't do things like this! In my time, this was not acceptable. That is the problem with todays kids--- even the parents think it is okay that the kids do these sorts of things and they shouldn't be punished for it. It was JUST a senoir prank. Oh bologna! Do the stupidity and pay the price! Wise up parents and open your eyes--Discipline starts at thome and the sooner you learn that the better off our kids will be.
i rock said on Tuesday, May 18 at 3:19 PM
Dis is silly. cancelling a whole graduation. where is da humor. i think it was funny. but i understand the injury. dere punishing the whole sr class
A Concern Citizen of Hancock County said on Tuesday, May 18 at 3:10 PM
Superintendent Dr.A. Leslie and the Hancock Board Member should be taken down now from there position now instead of waiting for election.They are doing this to try to get people to put them back in office but it's not going to work. Dr. Leslie board member have got away with so much wrong that they think that they can keep doing it but not so. Parents I would not let it get by that easy. Now is the time that we need to join together and fight till we can't no more.
disgustedwithHCHS said on Tuesday, May 18 at 1:18 PM
i went to Hancock Central in 2005. my graduating class would have never done somethng so stupid. i think they shouldn't march
The Iconoclast said on Tuesday, May 18 at 12:27 PM
Well, in my day (1970) prior to graduation we painted "The Rock" a large boulder in front of the school. Every senior class, even today, paints "The Rock." Pretty tame.
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