Students' Pranks May Carry Penalties

Seniors Warned Not To Destroy Property

After obscene words and pictures were spray-painted at Calvert County's four high schools last week, school administrators determined that the vandalism was the work of seniors about to graduate.

"It was a senior prank," said Kim Roof, Calvert's director of student services. "It happened the week seniors were leaving. There weren't any problems before that."

As graduation nears, high school seniors often brainstorm about pranks they can pull to leave a legacy. The pranks are often harmless -- releasing a pig in the halls, throwing confetti, blocking underclassmen from hallways and parking lots.

But Southern Maryland school officials say students will be disciplined if the pranks destroy property or break codes of conduct.

"We maintain decorum and discipline in the schools. It doesn't matter if they are seniors or not," said F. Michael Wyant, supervisor of safety and security for St. Mary's County schools.

Seniors in Calvert and Charles counties will graduate the first week in June, and graduations in St. Mary's are next week.

No destructive pranks have been reported at any Charles or St. Mary's high schools, although Leonardtown High School in St. Mary's was vandalized Monday with spray paint and paint balls. Wyant said it did not appear to have been a senior prank.

In Calvert, vandals spray-painted graffiti on high school buildings, signs, windows, doors and a bus shelter. Roof said the damage could amount to thousands of dollars.

Police were investigating the incidents. Anyone found guilty could face criminal charges and disciplinary action at the school, in addition to being required to pay for the repairs, school officials said.

"No one has their diploma yet," Roof said. "There is a range of things we can do."

Roof said that parents should talk with their children about the seriousness of destroying school property.

"Even though it might be the end of school, this is not the way we articulate that," Roof said. "If you want to make a mark and go out in a big way, then do it in a positive way."