POLICE are investigating allegations that students at two North Vancouver high schools have formed a disturbing and illegal graduation rivalry.
In an email to Vancouver Sun reporter Janet Steffenhagen and the North Vancouver school district, an anonymous "concerned parent" wrote over the weekend that Seycove and Windsor secondary students have thrown money into a pool to be won by the student who earns the most "points."
Points are won, the writer alleges, by providing video evidence of streaking, theft, nude theft, sexual intercourse with a high school minor, and bizarre scatological dares.
"We are in (schools) as we speak," said North Vancouver RCMP spokesman, Cpl. Richard De Jong. "We are talking to staff and students and working with the school district to ascertain if there is any legitimacy to this email. We are not treating it as a prank. We are treating it as something that could be legitimate until proven otherwise."
De Jong said police will investigate any criminal acts spawned by graduation activity, and also cautioned students to think about their futures.
"It's all about the safety of the students. The poor choices they make today could impact them for the rest of their lives. Social media has fostered and in some ways almost allowed this challenge, if it is legitimate, to be brought forward," he said. "Once an event or pictures are posted, the world will see it. All control and anonymity is lost. . . . It's there forever. The first time you apply for a job and they search your name and find you in some very compromising, embarrassing behaviour, you'll have to explain why you participated in that. It speaks to someone's character."
North Vancouver school district spokeswoman Victoria Miles said the email was passed to police out of "an abundance of caution" and said the episode "casts a pall" over the graduation of most North Vancouver students.
"It's a real shame," Miles said. "It really casts a shadow over the positive celebrations and all the positive things that students have achieved over the 12 years of school."
The district is also taking action, Miles added. "Our school-based administrators, our teachers, our counselors, all are involved particularly with students in their graduating year. They remind students constantly and have discussions with students about safe social behaviour, safe activities and safe ways of celebrating."
De Jong also stressed that the email should not paint all high school graduates with the same brush.
"We want to acknowledge their hard work and the commitment that got them to a place where they're ready to graduate Grade 12," he said. "It's a momentous time. . . . But when you make poor choices, especially around drugs and alcohol and behaviour that could impact the rest of your life, it's not worth the risk."
