High school hazing on The Early Show

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by momoftwo
After court, Gendelman's attorney, Dolores Ayala, said she and her client would "respect Judge Kocoras' opinion." Ayala indicated Gendelman would withdraw her suit and sign an agreement with the school district accepting her punishment in exchange for receiving her diploma.

Additionally, Cook County prosecutors last week charged 16 seniors and two parents for their alleged roles in the hazing.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

In the mean time, Counselor Ayala has added a number of paid hours to her invoice to the student and parents.

Gee, is that cynical of me?

The article clearly answers another question. Yes, local authorities can bring charges. Local prosecutors have charged some of the kids.

Finally, in terms of highly regarded high schools making a difference. I think it's a regional thing. If you go to college reasonably close to home, they will have heard of your school. Same thing when you're looking for the first job. It doesn't hurt to be a graduate of a highly regarded school.

If you're a couple thousand miles away from home, though, it means little or nothing -- unless, of course, you run into someone who came from your hometown/area.

[momoftwo]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Finally, in terms of highly regarded high schools making a difference. I think it's a regional thing. If you go to college reasonably close to home, they will have heard of your school. Same thing when you're looking for the first job. It doesn't hurt to be a graduate of a highly regarded school.

If you're a couple thousand miles away from home, though, it means little or nothing -- unless, of course, you run into someone who came from your hometown/area.

Having just observed the college search process with my daughter and her friends, I can tell you that coming from a highly regarded high school is a double-edged sword. All other things being equal, it is clearly easier to get into the University of Illinois if you go to a school that is not so heavily populated with the high caliber students that attend schools like the Glenbrooks.

For example, University of Illinois admits students according to Class Rank and ACT scores. If you have a high ACT score, they expect you to have a corresponding high class rank. Problem is that high percentage of kids at such schools have high test scores, so their class rank is not so hot. I've heard of lots of kids who had 30's and 31's on their ACTs and all A's and B's being denied admission to UIUC. They call it the New Trier effect, but it hurts lots of kids in the area. Schools away from Illinois that have had North Suburban kids attend before seem to have more regard for the competition these kids dealt with in high school and many don't hold the class rank against them.

I do not expect the fact that my kids went to a highly regarded public high school to give them any tremendous benefit in terms of name recognition. I do expect that they will be well-prepared for college, from both an academic and co-curricular standpoint. They have learned how to learn and they've learned how to find their niche and be involved. They have a solid foundation from which to build a successful life, not just from a material point of view. I wish I'd had the high school experience they have had. None of the things that happened in the forest preserve on May 4 changed the things, that in my mind, make the Glenbrooks a good place to send your kids to school.

I jumped into this thread to defend the district against some early criticism that the school should do more. I knew that once they had all the facts, they would do the right thing. While public relations might not be their strong suit, I do believe that every action they took was in the interest of all the students, including those that caused the embarassment in the first place. I'm still proud to be a Glenbrook mom.

[starang21]

Originally posted by momoftwo


"We all make mistakes. Kids do stupid things. The sooner you can get over that, the better," U.S. District Chief Judge Charles Kocoras said.

try telling that to the minority youth who are constantly jailed by the system for "making mistakes." right......i love the hypocrisy of the US government.

[LatinaAlumna]

I'm sure that would be a LOT worse than getting your grades frozen, having THREE hours of counciling and only 10 hours of community service... so I just really don't understand why these girls are suing it could be worse.

For real! I had to do THIRTY hours of community service to make my confirmation in 10th grade, and that was a good thing!!

[AXJules]

Originally posted by momoftwo
Having just observed the college search process with my daughter and her friends, I can tell you that coming from a highly regarded high school is a double-edged sword. All other things being equal, it is clearly easier to get into the University of Illinois if you go to a school that is not so heavily populated with the high caliber students that attend schools like the Glenbrooks.

For example, University of Illinois admits students according to Class Rank and ACT scores. If you have a high ACT score, they expect you to have a corresponding high class rank. Problem is that high percentage of kids at such schools have high test scores, so their class rank is not so hot. I've heard of lots of kids who had 30's and 31's on their ACTs and all A's and B's being denied admission to UIUC. They call it the New Trier effect, but it hurts lots of kids in the area. Schools away from Illinois that have had North Suburban kids attend before seem to have more regard for the competition these kids dealt with in high school and many don't hold the class rank against them.

I do not expect the fact that my kids went to a highly regarded public high school to give them any tremendous benefit in terms of name recognition. I do expect that they will be well-prepared for college, from both an academic and co-curricular standpoint. They have learned how to learn and they've learned how to find their niche and be involved. They have a solid foundation from which to build a successful life, not just from a material point of view. I wish I'd had the high school experience they have had. None of the things that happened in the forest preserve on May 4 changed the things, that in my mind, make the Glenbrooks a good place to send your kids to school.

I jumped into this thread to defend the district against some early criticism that the school should do more. I knew that once they had all the facts, they would do the right thing. While public relations might not be their strong suit, I do believe that every action they took was in the interest of all the students, including those that caused the embarassment in the first place. I'm still proud to be a Glenbrook mom.

Right on the money, momoftwo. I'm still proud to be a "John Hughes baby" lol...even though I did have a 3.3 and was in the bottom half of my class.....

[momoftwo]

From today's Chicago Tribune...

5 juniors suspended over hazing
Students refused to sign waiver

By Courtney Flynn and Lisa Black
Tribune staff reporters
Published June 3, 2003

Five teenage girls who were targets of an off-campus hazing led by Glenbrook North High School seniors were suspended from school for nine days after refusing to sign an agreement with the district, officials announced Monday.

The suspensions for the teens, all juniors, began May 23 and will end Thursday, the day before final exams are to begin at the Northbrook school, according to school officials.




During a news conference Monday, a lawyer for three of the suspended juniors complained that his clients were treated more harshly than the senior girls who kicked, punched and showered them with filth during the May 4 incident.

"The school has placed a gun against the head of each junior and said, `If you don't give up these rights, we will suspend you and keep it on your permanent record,'" said Rollin Soskin, whose clients refused to sign a waiver that would have ended their suspensions.

The three teenagers--Lauren Wilner, Marina Fonarev and Cheryl Daley, all 17--were shaken and tearful during the news conference, arguing that they should not have to sign the district's agreement.

"There's no reason to admit we did something wrong when we were victims in this," said Daley, who received 10 stitches in her scalp after being struck on the head.

Fonarev added: "I no longer feel that the school is doing everything that they should or can to help me. Instead they're punishing me for doing nothing."

Two mothers also defended their daughters' decision not to sign the waivers.

Administrators for Northfield Township High School District 225 already have expelled 31 seniors--and are seeking to expel three more--for participating in the hazing. The incident sent five junior girls to the hospital and was videotaped by spectators. In exchange for being allowed to graduate on time with their grades intact, 28 of those seniors signed waivers in which they accepted expulsion and agreed to counseling and community service.

The school district then took steps to suspend 20 juniors for violating an Illinois School Code that prohibits students from becoming "a member of any school fraternity, sorority or secret society."

Some of the juniors have said they signed up for what was ostensibly to be a powder-puff football game, paying between $30 and $40 for a numbered jersey and beer.

Fifteen juniors signed the waiver, which allows them to forgo suspension but requires counseling and prohibits them from profiting off their experience, according to a statement released by the district Monday.

Those who declined to sign the waiver, however, will receive no credit for academic work during the nine-day suspension. The students may appeal the suspensions.

About 100 students, alumni and other unidentified people attended the hazing in Chipilly Woods, near Northbrook. Fifteen of the seniors also face criminal charges for their involvement, and two parents are charged with providing kegs of beer and a place to drink.


Copyright © 2003, Chicago Tribune

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by momoftwo
5 juniors suspended over hazing
Students refused to sign waiver

"There's no reason to admit we did something wrong when we were victims in this," said Daley, who received 10 stitches in her scalp after being struck on the head.

The school district then took steps to suspend 20 juniors for violating an Illinois School Code that prohibits students from becoming "a member of any school fraternity, sorority or secret society."

Interesting.

What fraternity, sorority or secret society was that? Is there some ongoing thing that comes out of this?

I know this will be open to debate, but I agree that there should be some punishment for the Juniors. After all, they did PAY for jerseys and beer (underage) and to participate in an event that had been banned by the school.

It's easy to overlook that when you see the tape and consider the injuries.

[momoftwo]

I can't find a link to this story, but last night the local news reported that one of the boys, who was charged with battery and minor in possession of alcohol, is currently on probation for reckless driving. He crushed a girl between his car and her garage door and then refused to call 911. She was in intensive care for several days. The girl now attends evening school.

I think this guy needs to spend some time in jail...

[momoftwo]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Interesting.

What fraternity, sorority or secret society was that? Is there some ongoing thing that comes out of this?

I know this will be open to debate, but I agree that there should be some punishment for the Juniors. After all, they did PAY for jerseys and beer (underage) and to participate in an event that had been banned by the school.

It's easy to overlook that when you see the tape and consider the injuries.

I think the school's position is that the secret society is being part of this group that participates in the powder puff game. You have to be a powder puff victim as a junior to get to be a powder puff aggressor as a senior.

[texas*princess]

Originally posted by momoftwo
I think the school's position is that the secret society is being part of this group that participates in the powder puff game. You have to be a powder puff victim as a junior to get to be a powder puff aggressor as a senior.

I was thinking the same thing. And since not *every* junior/senior girl participated (at least to my knowledge) that kind of makes it exclusive? And I think someone mentioned earlier that you have to be "invited" to participate.

Granted, I'm sure the other juniors/seniors who did not partake in the events aren't upset over not being selected to 'play'.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

It seems that the junior girl are being punished as harshly as the senior. I thought that if the juniors had pig intestines, urine, and feces thrown on them as they begged and cried for help, they were victims. This punishment doesn't seem right. It sounds like the school is 'blaming the victims' for this crime. I think that these girls have been victimized again.

[starang21]

don't you just love the mentality of rich spoiled kids? i wish my kid would think like that...fool would find a boot shoved up their ass. forget the belt.

[madmax]

Originally posted by starang21
try telling that to the minority youth who are constantly jailed by the system for "making mistakes." right......i love the hypocrisy of the US government.

Stupid post. The judge ruled against the students.

[starang21]

Originally posted by madmax
Stupid post. The judge ruled against the students.

how is it stupid? because their punishment didn't fit the crime? or is it because they're trying to say "kids will be kids, they make mistakes." right, dumping doo-doo on someone is just a "mistake." that's what is stupid about this whole matter.

[momoftwo]

Originally posted by starang21
how is it stupid? because their punishment didn't fit the crime? or is it because they're trying to say "kids will be kids, they make mistakes." right, dumping doo-doo on someone is just a "mistake." that's what is stupid about this whole matter.

The context of the judge's remarks...this judgement was related to the civil suit to force the school to rescind the suspensions. After the judge ruled against the student, he advised her attorney to drop the matter. He basically indicated that focusing her energy on fighting her punishment would be more detrimental to her future than the expulsion would be. I don't think he was minimizing the seriousness of the event, just putting in context of the rest of her life. Not going to graduation won't ruin it, but not accepting the consequences for her behavior might...

The 15 students charged with battery will have their day in court on June 11. That will be the opportunity to see if these kids get treated any better or worse than kids who are less well off. At least one of the students charged has retained a very high powered defense attorney (who usually handles capital cases).