Teacher Geoffrey Land’s Open Letter to the Senior Pranksters

EDITOR’S NOTE: Late May 20, 2021 two separate groups of seniors pranked PRHS campus. One group went to the site of the future aquatics complex and splayed plastic kiddie pools across the vicinity, additionally putting up posters in support of the school’s Water Polo, Swim, and Dive teams who’ve had to go to the public pool prior to school due to the hiatus on the construction of the proposed aquatics complex induced by district budgetary constraints. The other unaffiliated group egged, TP’d, and drew vulgarities on campus with shaving cream, vandalizing the school.

Dear Class of ‘21 Senior Pranksters, 

As a long time Bearcat and teacher of seniors for 23 years, I was inspired to write by your recent actions. I would write you a private letter if I knew who you were, but your anonymity forces my hand.  So, if you were one of the students who took part in the campus prank late on May 20 involving shaving cream, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, and raw eggs, this is for you.

I walked on campus early enough to see your handiwork, before the custodial staff had to leave their other duties for hours while they cleared up your Senior Statement.

After much deliberation, I’ve come to the conclusion that you need to understand the opportunity you lost by looting our campus of Bearcat Pride during the week intended to celebrate kindness.  Sure, you’re out of here in two weeks, but you’re still a student, and it’s our job to correct your mistakes. Because you really blew it, and you need to know why. 

Being ready for adult life means recognizing the need to contribute to (not vandalize) the society we all benefit from. Evidently, you’re not ready for that.  Being an adult means taking action and having the courage to stand by it. Your cowardice, disregard, and immaturity were the only things revealed by your anonymous late night antics.

It may seem to you that four years have passed quickly.  Please understand that many of us at the high school have dedicated decades of our lives and careers to fostering young leaders ready to make the world a better place.  Clearly we have failed at some basic level.  That hurts, because we care about this place, and we care about you.  

Graduating in 2021 means being ready to be a productive citizen who understands the challenges of climate crisis, political polarization, and a rapidly changing world.  You have had access to an amazing range of courses and extracurricular experiences at PRHS – Ag, SkillsUSA, athletics, drama and music, AP classes, field studies, and so much more.

You are graduating seniors, setting the tone for the student body. Is this what you’d like to say after four years as a Bearcat?  Infantile sex organs drawn with shaving cream?  Seriously?  That’s your message upon leaving high school?  You get one shot at a Senior Prank, and your prank doesn’t even receive a passing grade.  You failed.  You failed your teachers, you failed your parents, you failed the community, you failed the custodial staff who had to clean up your pathetic mess.

Most of all you failed the moment. In a moment of division you could have united. In a moment of seriousness you could have brought humor.  In a moment of crisis you could have brought comfort.  In fact, your actions overshadowed the clever, inclusive, harmless “school pool” prank that sought to lift us up with humor and solidarity.  Your vulgar disrespect touched everyone.  

Whether you were just letting off steam after 15 months of pandemic, or a crude middle finger to Bearcatville, it’s hard for me to find the reason for your prank. 

You know better. You’re better than this. PRHS, Paso Robles and the U.S. need contribution, character, and courage.  We need seniors who consider how their actions reflect their families, their classmates, and their community.  We don’t need punks.

Some might shrug off your stunt as a “kids will be kids” moment. I don’t buy it. Since it’s my honor to hang out with seniors on a daily basis, I know you’re much more than kids. You’re athletes on our teams, members of school clubs, AP students, and workers throughout our local economy.  You’re on the cusp of voting, going to college, and joining the armed forces.

Maybe just help us understand where you’re coming from.  As with most things, this is not just about you. 

The good news is that you don’t have to be defined by your bad decisions, and there are two weeks of school left. Make them count, find a way to redeem yourself, and make us proud you’re a Bearcat.

— Geof Land, Social Studies Department, PRHS