On Friday, April 3, over 1000 balloons were filled with air and released in Leaguetown

High School’s hallways by 20 suspected seniors between 1st and 2nd period which was claimed
to be a “senior prank” and ended with suspension, while also getting banned from the All-night
senior party.

Seniors involved in this prank were suspended for the rest of the day and banned from
the All-night senior party that was scheduled for Friday, May 1. The seniors and their parents will
be attending the school board meeting to speak out about the situation and the punishment.
Principal Vanita Haygood stated that since the balloons were released in the halls, it was easy
to identify who did this prank and she suspects about 20 seniors to be involved.
-VINITA HAYGOOD, principal
“I gave ample warnings to the senior class that I would not tolerate any sort of prank that
disrupts school. Releasing more than 1,000 balloons between classes did precisely that,”
Haygood said. “We were lucky that no student is allergic to latex. Last year, two were.”

The seniors believe that they did nothing wrong and said that they were simply just
having fun. They have been trying to change Haygood’s decision, but have not had much luck.
They will be speaking publicly about the punishment and tell their side of the matter.
-ALFRED REFUGIO, senior
“We knew no one had a latex allergy. We checked it out first,” said Refugio. “We were
careful, and no one was hurt or upset.”

Seniors had been looking forward to the All-night senior party for months. When the
seniors involved in the prank found out about the punishment, they were devastated. The
seniors claim it was a harmless prank and they didn’t know it would get them in this much
trouble.
-RUBY KANUR, senior
“Our punishment is way too extreme. We blew up a few balloons and released them,” Kanur
said. “Every senior has been looking forward to the all-night party since the first day of school. I
can’t believe that is what she banned us from.”

Some parents have even spoken out for their senior students. They believe it was just a
joke and a fun way to end their high school days. Some say, including the students, that the
punishment was too extreme for a little prank.
-MILLY KANUR, Ruby’s mother
“Let the punishment fit the crime. They were balloons. They could have put shaving cream in
them or glitter. But they didn’t,” said Mrs. Kanur. “These kids have worked hard for 12 years.
They deserve a little fun.”

It wasn't just the principal who had a problem with the prank. The teachers also had
problems with it. Kids were showing up late to class and time was wasted. They complained that
the hallways were very loud and chaotic.
-GRACE KILLEN, math teacher “The seniors didn’t mean any harm, but the prank was
disruptive. Almost half of my class was late. It took me more than 15 minutes to get my
freshmen calmed down,” Killen said. “They should have released the balloons at the end of the
day. That would have been much less disruptive.”