100 students barred from graduation after prank goes wrong
A school principal has been suspended and 100 students have been barred from their graduation after a high school prank went seriously wrong.
Senior students at Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tennessee, have been accused of urinating on walls, putting goldfish in toilets and dumping a dead opossum on the hay covered floor.
The incident which occurred on April 30, led to the indefinite suspension of principal Gary Cole and got a deputy who let the students into the school fired.
Senior student Kody Hampton told Local 8 that there were two waves of students who went through the school.
“The first wave, wasn't bad, just simple pranks that did no harm,” he said of the group of students who brought along balloons and glitter for some harmless fun.
It was not until a second wave of students arrived after 1am that things got out of hand.
Mr Hampton said garbage cans were dumped and scattered, urine, ketchup and baby oil was put on the walls, and crickets and chickens were released into the hallways.
Other students said booby traps were set up in front of doorways and Sheriff Tommy Jones noted three teachers had filed workman’s comp claims from the incident.
The groups of students went into the unlocked building while Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy James Fisher, who was working as a school resource officer, stood by.
“Video shows him opening up the school, helping the students carry items in and later leaving while the kids were still in the building,” Sheriff Jones said in a statement released to Local 8.
“He then returns after receiving a call that the prank has gotten out of hand.”
Mr Fischer was fired after admitting that he had originally lied about his involvement.
Two officers from Madisonville also dropped by during the chaos but did nothing to stop the rampaging teens, police Chief Gregg Breeden told the Daily News.
Following the incident Director of Schools Tim Blankenship announced that anyone involved in the prank would be blocked from graduating.
Mr Blankenship also suspended Mr Cole, who reportedly approved the prank ahead of time, indefinitely. The suspension is without pay and further decisions will be made when the investigation is completed.
The punishments handed down have left students outraged, with many senior students saying they left when things started to get out of control.
"I don't think my graduation should be taken away. They have surveillance video of the people who did this," said Shania Woods.
"Peeing on the walls is a disgrace. And it was not my fault. I'm not gonna take charge for what someone else did," she says.
News break - May 6
