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The rivalry between us and Hardee
is the oldest in the
state and it is something that should be looked forward to.
Since the beginning, both schools have played pranks on each
other and exchanged "punches". In the past, our cheerleaders
would send Hardee cheerleaders a dozen black roses, signs
would be posted on the side of the road for the visiting team
to see on their way to the game, and small instances
of vandalism.
For example, a few
years ago we delivered a dead hog to
their school’s student parking lot. The next night the returned
it to us with HHS spray painted on it. Then, once again we
took it back to Hardee. And yes, it seems that every year at
least one school has minor vandalism, such as, a sign or side
walk being spray painted. Doughnuts have been found on the
football field and on other areas on the campus. Little pranks
like this are easy to clean up and are taken the way they were
intended; as a prank. Not only do students look forward to
this week but many teachers and staff members find this week
to be fun filled. Many of the teachers, staff members, and
parents went to school here and they remember how much
fun it was.
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On the other hand, it was taken
way too far this year.
Memorial statues and plaques of past students and teachers
were defaced. Foul language and inappropriate pictures were
spray painted on our school. The word "Cats" was burned
into our football field. That may seem harmless but the grass
used is very expensive. I’m sure that if that would have
happened on another area in our school it wouldn’t have
been such a problem. HHS was sprayed onto the brick wall
and brick is a very pores surface and paint doesn’t come off
that easily. On the poles in the student commons and walls
were spray painted. The school sign donated by the Sub-Debs was also
sprayed along with many other spots around the school. The damage that
occurred cost over 2,000.00 with paint and labor. This was no longer a
stupid prank that we
could clean up and forget about. This was serious and no one
intended to let it go.
There are so many
other ways that you can show your
spirit or just get Hardee without causing so much damage.
Things that are cute and easily cleaned up are okay. But
thanks to this year’s stunt we may never be able to have fun
again. Think how much tighter security is going to be next
year and if someone gets caught they will be made an
example of. If you are going to spray paint, which I don’t
recommend, use washable paint. Throw things in each others
parking lots, use car foam on their windows, just come up
with something creative that won’t get you in trouble. This is
supposed to be fun and taken as a joke, but what happened
this year was taken very seriously.
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