By Steven Witkin ’16

The legendary senior prank. Ranging from playful to destructive, this classic yet controversial rite of passage is often fueled by seniors’ wish to leave their mark on the school in which they spent their teenage years. The only two visible “pranks” left by the class of 2015 so far, the random posting of “dog?” around the school and erratic blue spatters of paint on a few windows, both lack purpose and wit. The latter prank is essentially pointless vandalism. A key characteristic of a prank is that it is actually a prank, a clever and amusing practical joke.  For example, seniors at a school in Santa Barbara hired a mariachi band to follow their principal all day. Amusing, a bit annoying, but harmless. However, destructive pranks can land seniors in real trouble. This May, seven students were charged for releasing 72,000 ladybugs into the halls of a Maryland school. Even worse, 62 seniors were arrested at a New Jersey school last year for spreading petroleum jelly and urine around their school. These cause actual damage, and get students in actual trouble. Senior pranks are not inherently bad, but they often get corrupted into criminal acts. Pranks should be welcome as an expression of appreciation for the school, but only if they are good-natured, not vindictive or destructive. Senior classes around the country need to turn away from vandalism and to safe, comical, and memorable practical jokes so that everyone can appreciate senior pranks.