Mo. students face discipline for homecoming prank

Thursday, September 27, 2012

PACIFIC, Mo. (AP) — Administrators of an eastern Missouri high school plan to discipline several students involved in a prank that nominated a girl for homecoming queen as a joke.

Nominations were announced last week for homecoming queen at Pacific High School. The nominees included a girl who has attention deficit disorder. Her parents soon realized she had been targeted as a joke. Her name was not released.

The girl’s parents spoke with other parents who confirmed their suspicions about the homecoming vote. Anonymous emails to them also alerted them that the vote was part of a prank.

Superintendent Randy George told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/S250m4 ) that several students will be disciplined under the school’s harassment and bullying policy. They could get up to a 10-day suspension. They’ll also be excluded from homecoming activities.

The girl’s mother says the girl stayed home Monday and Tuesday but returned to school Wednesday. She plans to participate in homecoming festivities, including a parade on Saturday.

“Maybe if we all show up as a united front and the kids embrace her, I think that maybe we can begin to get past it,” the mother said.

She said the girl has forgiven the students behind the incident and hopes other students will forgive them, too. The family does not plan to seek any additional punishment, the parents told the Post-Dispatch.

Police patrols will increase for Saturday’s parade, and the dance next week, George said.

“We’ve got a little more focus on our parade, so naturally we need to have some more security,” he said.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com

More like this story

spelchek 7 months, 4 weeks ago

“Maybe if we all show up as a united front...HEY LOOK A BIRD...and the kids embrace her, I think that maybe...MONKEYS ARE COOL...we can begin to get past it, I LOVE FRENCH FRIES” the mother said.

LaTda 7 months, 4 weeks ago

Ok so she has ADD. So what? What child doesn't these days? The article is written in a way like ADD is a handicap. Just because she has ADD doesn't mean the girl couldn't comprehend what the other students were doing. I'm not saying what these students did is right, but punishment on the same level as bullying is too harsh. The school should look at this as a flaw on thier behalf. Any student who is nominated, should be notified of the nomination before the votes are counted. This way, the school can insure that the nomination is in fact honest. And spelchek...that's not even funny.

bluesfan13 7 months, 4 weeks ago

This article is missing some key components of the story that might make you change your mind.
Other reports state this girl has the mental capacity of a 10-year old.
The "bullying" part of the situation was left out of this article as well. The whole reason they nominated her for homecoming queen was to get her on a float so they could throw eggs at her during the parade. Does that meet your threshhold for bullying?

asb 7 months, 4 weeks ago

Not at all funny Spel, but it's a perfect window to your Rush Limbaugh soul. You must be a fan.

cmnsense 7 months, 4 weeks ago

I hope her name is not Carrie...

spelchek 7 months, 4 weeks ago

Yes, not funny. I am so very sorry. Please forgive me and my insensitivities. I have disturbed your virgin eyes and that was very careless and thoughtless of me. Apparently none of you like Steven Colbert, John Stuart, Bill Maher, the Onion, South Park, the Simpsons, Family Guy, Monty Python, or anyone else who tries to make light of serious issues (if that's what you call ADHD). Your anger is fabricated and hypocritical.

Sequoia 7 months, 4 weeks ago

None of those guys actually direct their jabs at individually named high school girls.

The best comics take aim at powerful people above them. Jerks take aim at people they feel are beneath them. Comics get on stage. Jerks use internet comments. Comics critique power. Jerks use their power to abuse others. Comics have a point. Jerks just want to make themselvs feel strong. That's the HUGE differences between you and the comics you cite. It's about power. You're on the Jerk side.

You're not funny. You think you're clever. You're mean. You've got nothing good or interesting to say.

You really got a zinger in on that girl. Congratulations.

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