Cement-filled toilets and dead fish: NC school district bars more than 80 seniors from graduation over 'pranks'
Share this @internewscast.com

(WGHP) – Some students call it a senior prank. Law enforcement officials call it vandalism.   

In North Carolina, the school districts are filing charges.

Over the last month, multiple school districts in the state have filed charges against students in connection with so-called pranks that, they say, are anything but harmless.

The Burlington Police Department, for instance, recently announced that charges had been filed against seven students who were reportedly involved in an incident at Walter M. Williams High School, during which they poured cement mix into eight toilets and six urinals after breaking in.

The incident, which made national headlines, was extremely destructive, school officials said.

“That alone was the cost of around $4,000,” said Les Atkins, spokesperson for the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS).

That’s not counting labor.  

“We had about 17 maintenance workers here.”

It wasn’t just the cement. Baby powder was all over the gym, inappropriate signs and balloons were all over the school, mulch was in the halls and more.  

“We had some of our administrators out cleaning up toilet paper,” said Atkins.

The problem is not an isolated one. Western Alamance High School in Elon, North Carolina, was egged, and trash was dumped everywhere. At Southern Alamance in Graham, seniors poured dead fish in the parking lot and on wrestling mats, dumped old appliances on campus, and a moped was put on the roof.  

“This really goes beyond a prank at this point. This is destruction of school property,” Atkins said.

Five seniors and two underclassmen are now facing misdemeanor property damage and breaking and entering charges for their role in cement mixing at Williams High. 

“They will not be able to participate in graduation exercises … for the students who were not seniors, they will be long-term suspended, which means for the first nine weeks of next year, they will not be allowed on our campus.”

A release on Thursday morning from the ABSS Board of Education elaborated that over 80 seniors will not be participating in graduation exercises. Sixty of those students barred from graduation are from Williams High School alone, according to the district.

“The Board of Education is aware that more than 80 students from Alamance-Burlington Schools will not be allowed to participate in upcoming graduation ceremonies. These students were identified entering our school buildings as part of senior pranks across the District. Seven of these students were identified and subsequently charged by the Burlington Police Department for damaging eight toilets and six urinals at Walter Williams High School costing the District more than $4,000,” the statement reads.

ABSS officials said they also expect an increase in the “number of students who will not participate in graduation” as its investigation progresses.

“We feel it is important to bring clarity to this unfortunate situation and to be transparent with the community. Please know we do believe important milestones should be celebrated yet we do expect our students to do so in a respectful manner. The disruption of learning, monetary costs to our District, extra burden on our facilities team and, at several campuses, the disregard for student safety simply cannot be tolerated,” the ABSS Board of Education wrote.

Other districts have reacted similarly. In Union County, two people were arrested and accused of felony damaging computers at Sun Valley High School, with more than $20,000 in damage estimated. In Mecklenburg County, around 50 students broke into Mallard Creek High School and caused $5,000 of damage by tossing furniture and throwing trash. Some have been charged.

Both districts will prohibit those involved from participating in graduation ceremonies.  

Guilford County and Winston-County/Forsyth County Schools say they have not experienced any major senior pranks, but school principals may choose speak to their students to discourage the behavior.   

For their part, most students are not happy with what happened. One student leader said they should pay restitution.

“It was vandalism. It wasn’t a senior prank at all. I think they were completely out of line, and if they’re getting their scholarships and suspended, I feel like their scholarship money should be … put towards the cement because it’s $4,000 in damages,” she said.  

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Congress is moving into crisis mode as Senate unveils bipartisan bill to avoid a government shutdown

Congress is moving into crisis mode as Senate unveils bipartisan bill to avoid a government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Congress is rushing headlong into crisis mode Tuesday with a…
Gabby Morgan Swaine, 27, from Springfield, Illinois , is the founder of GM Photography

Wedding photographer goes viral after sharing ‘genius’ hack for ensuring a bride’s necklace stays perfectly in place ALL DAY

Gabby Morgan Swaine, 27, from Illinois, is the founder of GM Photography …
JP Morgan to pay $75 million to settle lawsuit over ties with Jeffrey Epstein

JP Morgan to pay $75 million to settle lawsuit over ties with Jeffrey Epstein

JPMorgan Chase has reached a $75 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin…
Incredible: Arguably stealing the show was Helena, who stripped off to reveal her nude body and wore just a pair of sheer gloves as she commanded attention in front of the camera

Supermodels prove they’ve still got it! Helena Christensen, 54, poses NUDE as she strips off while joining Cindy Crawford, 57, Eva Herzigova, 50, and other iconic models on the cover of Vanity Fair

They are all in their sixth decade and have long been stalwarts…
The Roosevelt Hotel (pictured), Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among those designated for housing migrants in Manhattan. The city's contract with more than 100 hotels will cost cost a total $1.365 billion

Price of being a sanctuary city: NYC is preparing to spend an extra $1B on hotels ALONE to shelter migrants for three more years

New York City is planning on spending a staggering extra $1billion on hotel…
South Korean tennis player smashes racket after loss in epic meltdown

South Korean tennis player smashes racket after loss in epic meltdown

A South Korean tennis player had an epic meltdown Monday after suffering…
Jonathan Van Ness breaks down in tears while discussing trans rights on Dax Shepard’s podcast

Jonathan Van Ness breaks down in tears while discussing trans rights on Dax Shepard’s podcast

In the most recent episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast “Armchair Expert,” Jonathan Van Ness broke…
Flight attendant found dead in hotel: American Airlines employee found dead with sock in mouth at Philadelphia Airport Marriott

Flight attendant found dead in hotel: American Airlines employee found dead with sock in mouth at Philadelphia Airport Marriott

The 66-year-old flight attendant was found unresponsive inside one of the hotel…
Meghan and Harry's Archewell Foundation has teamed up with the  Nigeria-based GEANCO Foundation to support schoolgirls in the West African nation

Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation supports schoolgirls in Nigeria – after the Duchess cheered on the West African nation at the Invictus Games when she discovered her heritage in genealogy test

The latest charitable project from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation…
Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 3.4 million vehicles over fire risk, urge owners to park outdoors

Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 3.4 million vehicles over fire risk, urge owners to park outdoors

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 3.4 million vehicles…
Lahaina family finds cherished heirlooms and devastation in first home visit after deadly wildfire

Lahaina family finds cherished heirlooms and devastation in first home visit after deadly wildfire

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Leola Vierra stepped gingerly among the hardened pools…
Donald Trump New York fraud case: Pretrial hearing set Wednesday in Former President Donald Trump's fraud case in New York City

Donald Trump New York fraud case: Pretrial hearing set Wednesday in Former President Donald Trump’s fraud case in New York City

NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump submitted “fraudulent valuations” for assets…