Panthers will play home game Thursday; Homecoming assembly canceled
October 4, 2016
The Homecoming pep assembly and parade scheduled for this Friday have been canceled, and the Homecoming football game has been moved to Thursday at 7 p.m., according to a press release from the Wenatchee School District last night. The football game will be played at home. School officials have not yet decided if school will be canceled this Friday.
Junior and ASB coordinator Angela Pulido said that she wasn’t surprised that the assembly and parade were canceled.
“Students’ safety and parents’ concerns are more important than our work,” Pulido said. “I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
These changes are in reaction to written threats that were found in a girls restroom bathroom at Wenatchee High School. One message was found on Sept. 21 and alluded to an act of violence planned for Oct. 7. A second message was discovered on Sept. 26 in the same bathroom advising students and staff to take the threats seriously.
“I just wish that that person didn’t write that message,” senior Marcus Garcia said. “It messed up a lot. We’re trying to do a lot to make our school feel safe and welcome and that sets us back.”
Students at Foothills Middle School stumbled upon a similarly themed message last week. Police believe that the message is a “copycat,” according to the press release.
“Safety comes first, and we want to make sure that all students, staff, family and community are considered when we have situations like this,” Executive Director of Student Services Mark Helm said in a press release.
In addition to the change in dates, the press release said that security will be tightened at all Homecoming events this week. No personal backpacks, bags, food, or drink will be allowed by event attendees.
The press release also mentioned reports of social media accounts masquerading as scary clowns and alluding to coming to school on Oct. 7. Police do not believe that the social media accounts are connected with the written threats, according to the release.
The clown threats are part of a nationwide trend, USA Today reports. Threatening clowns have been reported in Wisconsin, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and several other states. KING 5 News has reported clown sightings in Western Washington as well.
