The seniors reportedly were spanking freshmen with paddles.
TURNER – Officials at Leavitt Area High School have punished several seniors for paddling freshmen at the school last week.
Seniors brought two homemade paddles to school and used them to strike freshmen on their backsides as they roamed the halls, according to school officials. Students said the paddling occurred over two or three days.
The boards resembled shortened boat paddles and were painted with slogans, such as “Freshmen beware” and “Seniors rule,” one senior said.
SAD 52 Superintendent Tom Hanson said the school, which serves about 800 kids from Turner, Leeds and Greene, suspended five students for “inappropriate behavior” last Thursday.
Students were suspended for three to five days, depending on their involvement. Officials did not confirm whether every suspended student was a senior.
“We had a discipline situation. We took care of it,” said Leavitt Principal David Wing.
School officials and students denied the paddling was part of a freshman class hazing. Hanson said he viewed it as harassment.
No criminal charges had been filed against the students, according to state police. The school had closed its investigation.
No freshmen were injured, Hanson said. He said the strikes were not hard.
Senior Amanda Angell said she was suspended for five days for keeping one of the paddles in her locker. A friend asked her to hold on to it, she said, because her locker was near a staircase often used by freshmen.
Although school officials said five students were caught during their investigation, Angell said she knew of 10 seniors who were involved.
“Pretty much, it started off as fun, like a prank. We didn’t think it would be a big deal,” she said.
Angell, 17, said the paddling “wasn’t hard hitting. It was like tapping.” She thought the school was blowing the incidents out of proportion.
“No, I don’t think it was a good idea,” said Angell, an honors student and cheerleader. “But it wasn’t like I was beating these kids senseless.”
Now, she said, school guidance officials have revoked her college recommendation and have written a letter about last week’s incident to the college she was planning to attend.
“They are threatening to take away everything I’ve worked hard for,” she said. “They’re threatening to make the rest of my life miserable.”
Hanson said the school would not revoke a recommendation as punishment, but individual teachers and guidance counselors can decide to withdraw their personal reference letters at any time. He said the school would tell a college about a student’s suspension only if the college asked for such notification.
Angell said she did not regret her role in the paddling.
“I should say yes, but (I’m) not really (sorry),” she said. “If I really hurt someone, then I’m really sorry.”
Other seniors reportedly involved in the harassment could not be reached for comment. The students who were victimized were not identified.
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