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News Story 1: Senior Prank

Seniors and their parents will attend the next school board meeting on April 14 to protest
against Principal Haygood’s strict disciplinary actions against students who released more than
1000 balloons in the school hallway.
On Friday April 3rd, twenty seniors released hundreds of balloons in the hallways during
passing period. The school’s principal Vinita Haygood responded by suspending all the students
involved and banning them from a senior party taking place on May 1st which caused many
students to protest.
“The seniors are welcome to speak at the board meeting, but the board should not reverse
my decision,” Principal Haygood said. “I am sorry the students and parents are upset, but
actions have consequences.”
The school filed more than 150 tardies due to the seniors’ stunt. This could be troubling for
the students who have more than 3 tardies in a semester because they are required to serve an
after-school detention.
“The seniors didn’t mean any harm but the prank was disruptive,” math teacher Grace Killen
said. “Almost half my class was late.”
All 20 students involved will be speaking at the board meeting to persuade the school board
to reverse Principle Haygood’s decision. Many students believe that the consequences were too
extreme.
“Principal Haygood is being too harsh on us,” senior Alfred Refugio said. “We really thought
she would just make us pick up the trash and serve a few detentions- at the most. But we didn’t
even get to pick up the balloons because she went ballistic and suspended us that day.
Along with the students, their parents are also concerned about Haygood’s response and
will be attending the board meeting with their children.
“Let the punishment fit the crime,” Ruby’s mother Milly Kanur said.“These kids have worked
hard for 12 years. They deserve a little fun.”
Last year, the senior class smeared vaseline on doorknobs and all the locks on the lockers.
Since then, the school has been wary of senior pranks.
“I gave ample warnings to the senior class that I would not tolerate any sort of prank that
disrupts school. Releasing more than 1000 balloons between classes did precisely that,”
Principal Haygood said.
The school board meeting will ultimately decide if the consequences were fair or harsh.
“I think the board will listen to us,” Senior Ruby Kanur said. “We didn’t hurt anyone. We blew
up a few balloons and released them.”
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News Story 1: Senior Prank