SCANDAL!!!!!!!!!!
Below you will find a letter sent to the parents of students in the school theater program at Carondelet (my illustrious alma mater) and De La Salle high schools. There are so many gems that it is hard to even wrap one’s head around it all. But after reading it, I got to the end and thought how many parents were like, “Uh…so?” I mean really, porta potty scavenger hunts? Probably unsanitary, but a form of dangerous hazing? No. I mean these are the theater kids we are talking about here. And below is the best they could come up with….
November 12, 2008
Dear Parent(s) of a Company member,
Last week we became aware of a situation that involves members of Company – the group of students who are actively involved in our theatre productions as either a member of the cast or crew. As we investigated this concern, we have learned of a long standing problem that has gone undetected and now needs to be properly addressed and remedied.
Carondelet and De La Salle High Schools have a long tenure of working together. During our partnership of Catholic education, we have developed some fine traditions and customs that promote teamwork, harmony and an authentic sense of doing what is right. Unfortunately, many of the students in Company have crossed the line and have ventured into the area of “hazing.” Their actions to one another have been intimidating, humiliating and demeaning. Hazing is a form of bonding that is some-times viewed as a right-of-passage for acceptance. Hazing is done in secret and unknown to those persons in charge. Such is the case here. Most disturbing to us is that this “tradition,” according to the students, has been taking place for a number of years. Not one student had the ability or courage to step forward to admit that this behavior was occurring to them; and most disappointing, is that the initial victim of hazing soon becomes a perpetrator of this unacceptable behavior. It is passed on from one to the next. Different student groups, (cast, stage managers, sets, props, costumes, sound, lights and makeup), in the past or currently, have “requested” or required different actions including: students put in grated drainage areas, public reading of sexual poetry, same-sex slow dancing, placing underwear over one’s face, painting students, scavenger hunt involving port-a-potties, wearing rhinestone tattoos on the lower back, distribution of condoms with instructions on how to have oral sex, having to remove certain underclothing garments, and references to “Slut Night” (Saturday). We would like to tell you that the above list is fully exhaustive but we can’t. It is the nature of hazing. Each year it becomes more challenging and more difficult as the new perpetrators up the ante! Sadly, this behavior is ingrained in the culture of Company.
As with most activities of this sort, the level of involvement included most all of the students to some degree. Very, very few can say that they were totally unaware and did not participate. If a student chose not to speak up and say these actions were wrong, they contributed to the continuance of this poor behavior.
Therefore, the appropriate question is, what are we going to do about this situation?
First, both school principals have met with Company. We have expressed our extreme displeasure and informed the students that this conduct is wrong and violates the basic respect and dignity each and every person is entitled to. Hazing has no place in our schools!
Second, all further Company activities related to student productions are suspended through this semester.
Third, the school administrations will develop an appropriate educational program to inform students about hazing and its demeaning effects and consequences.
Fourth, the De La Salle High School Assistant Principal for Student Life, Mr. Jack Dyer, will assist Company in developing “healthy” celebrations and traditions.
Fifth, the De La Salle High School administration will examine all aspects of the theatre program, including, but not limited to, staffing levels, student supervision, rehearsal schedules, and ongoing student education.
We find it interesting that it took a stage production entitled “Integrity” for us to learn that our students “failed the test” with this quality as an important part of their life.
In our conversations on this matter, while we are disappointed in the choices our young men and women have made, we are also fully aware of the numerous positive experiences this co-curricular venue has provided. Hundreds of students have benefited from our theatre program. We are confident that we can restore Company to its rightful place in our school communities as an entity that is transparent and supportive of the Missions of our two schools. The next few months may be uncomfortable for some, as we examine all our options; but we are hopeful that from this experience we will once again have a student theatre group that embodies the best from the first moment of auditions to the final curtain call.
We ask for your help by speaking to your son/daughter about the ramifications of hazing and of their responsibility to care for one another by not subjecting anyone to such negative behavior. We thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Teri Hurlbut, E.Ed. Br. Christopher Brady, FSC
Principal Principal
Carondelet High School De La Salle High School
