Costly move backfires on Abi-action
The senior class of Eugen-Bolz-Gymnasium in Rottenburg, Germany, found themselves in an unexpected predicament when they carried out a prank involving spray paint on the school building on July 9th. The students, who had initially thought they were using washable paint, realized the next morning that the paint had dried and was not removable.
In response to the incident, the student representative, Heege, started a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover the costs of removing the graffiti. By Monday, the fundraiser had raised 4,785 euros. A professional painter and his employee were enlisted to assist the students in the removal process.
The principal, Andreas Greis, along with the school leadership and caretaker, were initially shocked by the graffiti. However, the incident seems to have brought the class closer together, with Heege commenting that the bond between the students has become stronger due to the cleanup effort.
Principal Greis believes the spray action was an honest mistake. In a show of support, the city of Rottenburg donated five buckets of paint for the removal. The rest of the cost will be covered by the class fund and donations from the prom.
The work is being done daily until Wednesday, with the three-day job of removing the graffiti estimated to cost 7,000 euros. Principal Greis hopes that future classes won't have the same idea, emphasising the importance of respect for school property.
It's worth noting that common consequences for senior pranks involving graffiti or vandalism typically include criminal charges such as misdemeanor or felony charges, school disciplinary actions, and potential financial restitution for damages. In a recent case at Sequim High School, 45 seniors faced citations including 39 for second-degree criminal trespass (misdemeanor), six for second-degree burglary (Class B felony), and five for malicious mischief (Class C felony) after a senior prank involving vandalism[1][2]. Similarly, California high school students faced consequences after a prank causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage[4]. School codes also classify vandalism and unauthorized entry with codified disciplinary levels, reflecting the seriousness of such acts[5]. In some cases, pranks have led to school closures and police investigations[3].
Overall, consequences combine legal prosecution, school disciplinary action, and financial restitution depending on the severity and nature of the prank. The students of Eugen-Bolz-Gymnasium in Rottenburg are learning this lesson firsthand, taking responsibility for their actions and working together to make things right.
Education and self-development were demonstrated by the students of Eugen-Bolz-Gymnasium in Rottenburg, as they learned from their mistake of vandalism and took responsibility for their actions. Heege, the student representative, initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover the costs of removing the graffiti, demonstrating maturity and commitment to education and self-improvement.
