if you do it, i'll do it
2 days ago
Thursday, August 21, 2008
So here I go again!
I am trying to start up my blogging again, although I only began this page for a journalism class. I hope that the page is more aesthetically pleasing now that I spent all this time cleaning it up. I have posted a video of the new harry potter trailer because I am so excited!!! However, I am also quite frustrated that the release date has been pushed back to summer of 2009!!!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Prankster scrapes by without felony charge
Palo Alto High School's Senior prankster, Blaine Marchant has been loosed from his felony charge by the school board after taking full responsibility for the prank that was carried out on the night of June 4. After receiving many e-mails, letters of complaint and student petitioning, the Palo Alto Principal Scott Lawrence and the school board have deemed the $10,000 bail and possible one year in prison to be excessive punishment for the crime, according to school board member Barbara Mitchell
" 'Punishment alone is the least effective means of reform,' " said Mitchell, quoting the district policy on punishment. " 'Active, positive efforts to change with discipline for the inappropriate behavior is the best means of change' "
The prank consisted of an upturned, de-wheeled and graffiti covered 1994 VOLVO and a cemented toilet in a planter. According to the district, the damage will cost up to $3,000, legally constituting a justified felony level charge. Although Marchant admitted to planning the entire prank, he remains loyal to his accomplices and willingly accepts full responsibility.
"The students showed a strong sense of loyalty to each other and also uphold the value of fairness," said Mitchell.
Groups of students sold T-shirts with the phrase "Free Tom," the nickname of Marchant since his Freshman year, for five dollars and also went around collecting donations, exciting over even a few cents. A Myspace group was even created for Marchant and has now over 300 members, who were all hoping for a removal of the charges.
"Students want to demonstrate their independence," Laurence said. "Emotions run high at the end of the year. They do things that are out of character."
Principals and school board members are under tremendous pressure because of the conditions of the offense and because of the community in which it took place: community members care very much for the educational system here and the environment surrounding our schools, said Mitchell.
"The fact is that people overreact to senior pranks way too much now. He should not go to prison and definitely be able to graduate," said Kevin Harvey, a sophomore. "He should pay the fees, whatever they may be, but don't give him a criminal record."
Among all the e-mails that screamed for justice and fairness, some writers questioned the validity of the $3,000 damage assesment. Many felt the punishment was not at all equal to the crime, and critisized the values that the school board was upholding.
"My brother is really good friends with Blaine, and I think that the school board is being very unfair in pressing the charges so harshly." said Jenna Lose, a sophmore.
Marchant will be able to graduate and appear at the ceremony, but as of now will not be able to perform the ceremonial "walk."
Many believed that this offense, if it had gone through to his record, would have damaged Marchant's college carreer as well as his job carreer.
Another senior prankster trying to paint a Palo Alto school roof fell off and suffered injuries, Laurence said.
Many students have showed thier loyalty to Marchant and also for the age old tradition of pranks at Palo Alto Highschool and surrounding high schools. It is true, however, that many pranks in the past have been more detrimental and serious, acording to Lawrence.
Palo Alto High School's Senior prankster, Blaine Marchant has been loosed from his felony charge by the school board after taking full responsibility for the prank that was carried out on the night of June 4. After receiving many e-mails, letters of complaint and student petitioning, the Palo Alto Principal Scott Lawrence and the school board have deemed the $10,000 bail and possible one year in prison to be excessive punishment for the crime, according to school board member Barbara Mitchell
" 'Punishment alone is the least effective means of reform,' " said Mitchell, quoting the district policy on punishment. " 'Active, positive efforts to change with discipline for the inappropriate behavior is the best means of change' "
The prank consisted of an upturned, de-wheeled and graffiti covered 1994 VOLVO and a cemented toilet in a planter. According to the district, the damage will cost up to $3,000, legally constituting a justified felony level charge. Although Marchant admitted to planning the entire prank, he remains loyal to his accomplices and willingly accepts full responsibility.
"The students showed a strong sense of loyalty to each other and also uphold the value of fairness," said Mitchell.
Groups of students sold T-shirts with the phrase "Free Tom," the nickname of Marchant since his Freshman year, for five dollars and also went around collecting donations, exciting over even a few cents. A Myspace group was even created for Marchant and has now over 300 members, who were all hoping for a removal of the charges.
"Students want to demonstrate their independence," Laurence said. "Emotions run high at the end of the year. They do things that are out of character."
Principals and school board members are under tremendous pressure because of the conditions of the offense and because of the community in which it took place: community members care very much for the educational system here and the environment surrounding our schools, said Mitchell.
"The fact is that people overreact to senior pranks way too much now. He should not go to prison and definitely be able to graduate," said Kevin Harvey, a sophomore. "He should pay the fees, whatever they may be, but don't give him a criminal record."
Among all the e-mails that screamed for justice and fairness, some writers questioned the validity of the $3,000 damage assesment. Many felt the punishment was not at all equal to the crime, and critisized the values that the school board was upholding.
"My brother is really good friends with Blaine, and I think that the school board is being very unfair in pressing the charges so harshly." said Jenna Lose, a sophmore.
Marchant will be able to graduate and appear at the ceremony, but as of now will not be able to perform the ceremonial "walk."
Many believed that this offense, if it had gone through to his record, would have damaged Marchant's college carreer as well as his job carreer.
Another senior prankster trying to paint a Palo Alto school roof fell off and suffered injuries, Laurence said.
Many students have showed thier loyalty to Marchant and also for the age old tradition of pranks at Palo Alto Highschool and surrounding high schools. It is true, however, that many pranks in the past have been more detrimental and serious, acording to Lawrence.
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