ADDED: Please refer to this article for different perspectives on this incident.

Early this morning the senior class blockaded their lot and filled up the junior lot with their cars as this year’s senior prank. Scott Parseghian, the dean of students, called in the Wayland police to assist in resolving the situation. Deeming the prank unacceptable, WHS administration has closed the campus to all seniors for Thursday and Friday. Any senior student vehicle found on those days in campus will be towed.

Below are the e-mails that Mr. Tutwiler, WHS principal, wrote in regards to the prank.

Seniors,
While we appreciate the spirit behind this morning’s senior prank, we cannot tolerate insubordination or behavior that endangers others. Further, this morning’s prank was highly disruptive to the beginning of the school day. Because of this, Senior privileges are revoked Thursday and Friday of this week. Seniors may not park their cars on campus between 7:30am and 2:30pm, nor may they leave campus during the school day. Any car registered to a senior found on campus will be towed.

Patrick Tutwiler
Principal

Dear Parents/Guardian’s of Seniors,
I hesitate to interrupt this beautiful summer-like day with news of the sort I need share, but it is a must. This morning, the Senior Class executed the first, and hopefully the last, senior prank. Quickly, senior drivers parked their vehicles in a contorted fashion in the Junior parking lot and held beach party in their lot. On the surface, this is a clever and appropriate “prank”, especially on a day like today. Nonetheless, when asked to move their cars to allow arriving Juniors to park, they refused. Worse yet, some students engaged in dangerous behaviors, such as skateboarders hitching rides on moving cars. One student was almost hit by a senior driver who was focused on the party and not on the road. When students finally responded to our appeals, the attempt to swap lots caused a traffic nightmare for parents dropping off and buses attempting leave campus for the next segment of their route.

I am a flexible person and I have a pretty good sense of humor. That said, insubordination and reckless behavior are neither funny nor something on which flexibility is appropriate. Accordingly, Senior privileges are revoked Thursday and Friday of this week. Seniors may not park their cars on campus between 7:30am and 2:15pm, nor may they leave campus during the school day. Any car registered to a senior found on campus will be towed. They were informed of this during homeroom today.

I realize that there are some seniors who had absolutely nothing to do with today’s events who will feel a pinch by my decision. However, the participation was far too broad to identify individuals or a small group. Students with extenuating circumstances may see me.

Sincerely,
Pat