Senior “Prank” Stuns Community
For years, senior pranks have been an expected part of high school. As seniors prepare to graduate from the very school that has hosted them for four grueling years, they seek to leave behind a legacy – some kind of lasting impression for which their class will always be remembered.
But residents of Charter Road woke up on Tuesday, January 12 to something far more severe than a benign senior prank. “Seniors 2010,” written in bright orange spray paint, spanned the side of the Charter Road barn less than half a mile from ABRHS. In front of the fluorescent graffiti lay the remains of forty-year-old lilac bushes, mutilated by the vandals in order to gain access to the barn.
For forty years, Marcia and Dean Charter have lived at 81 Charter Road. The 4.5-acre property has been in their family for over 150 years. Yet in a single night, students defaced a barn that has stood for 230 years as a proud icon of the Charter history. “What were you thinking?” asks senior Alyssa Zhu, noting what she would say if she were to meet the perpetrators. Because of the extensive damage, the historic barn may require complete reshingling, and the prized lilac bushes will take thirty years to grow back. “We work so hard to teach students to be forward thinking and mature. For someone to have such disregard for other people’s property is sad and disturbing,” says English teacher Mrs. Anthony. She adds, “One would think that they would know better.” Following the “prank,” principal Dr. Callen sent an email to the parents and guardians of all students attending ABRHS. She wrote, “I want to make you aware of the very upsetting incident of vandalism. My overwhelming feeling is one of sadness… I am stunned that a group of people would undertake such an act.”
Without a doubt, the senior class of 2010 has maintained a stellar reputation here at AB. Yet such an act of destruction reflects poorly on the senior class, not to mention on the school as a whole. Sophie Peyton, a senior, says, “I am ashamed to be associated with the senior class. The selfishness and disrespect is appalling.” Senior Rivka Atadja adds, “What these people did crossed the line. It was stupid and just obnoxious.” While the community has seen vandalism before, past perpetrators have generally “tagged” less sentimental sights around town, such as stop signs or streetlights. Indeed, the line separating some ordinary senior prank and this one, more criminal and destructive in nature, appears to be one of premeditation. “Whoever was behind [the vandalism],” continued Dr. Callen, “would have needed a ladder and a saw, not to mention a fairly large block of time to complete the destruction.”
Police are currently investigating the crime. If caught, the students responsible face charges of malicious destruction and a punishment based on repair costs. In the meantime, the community focuses on repairing the damage that has been done – both physically and emotionally. “As a class, we are better than this. I only hope that people realize that these vandals do not represent our otherwise wonderful class,” says senior Arielle Chapnick. She concludes, “Ultimately, I think that the responsibility rests on our shoulders to make this right.”
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