Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Tonya Papanikolas reporting Choosing who'll be the "most likely" to do this or that is an age old tradition enjoyed by graduating high school seniors.
But an underground newspaper with that type of material at Skyline High has some parents in an uproar.
"How do you restore someone's good name that you've taken and mutilated?"
The paper makes fun of certain students by making up articles. Since the publication wasn't endorsed by the school or printed on school grounds, the writers have some freedom of speech. But parents say students should also have a safe environment.
Students had different opinions about the paper. Some thought it was funny. But not everyone took it in good humor. Parents told us some kids named in the paper were embarrassed and hurt. Some even went home crying.
Mackenzie Norton, Skyline Junior: "The first day that it came out, that's all that anyone was talking about."
Three weeks after an underground newspaper was distributed at Skyline High School, the paper is still generating controversy.
Madison Barlow, Student: "Most of it was pretty freaking funny."
Kent Pimentel, Skyline Sophomore: "There were some things in it that were funny, but as a majority, as a whole, it was offensive, cruel and a little too pointed at certain people."
The paper is called "The Penetrator"... put out by probably 15 seniors. Students say it's a tradition at the school, but one that many are beginning to question.
Jenteal Jackson, Skyline Sophomore: "Even people that weren't' in it were very offended, just by the stuff that was said."
The front page of the paper makes fun of a white student for acting black; using the n-word to describe his transformation. Writers also list the top 10 things Stage Crew members do in their spare time; from urinating on school property, taking hits of ecstasy, to having a massive Twister orgy.
Jon Pimentel, Skyline Senior: "Most of that stuff was just immature. And it seemed like they just wanted to make fun of people for fun."
On other pages, articles and pictures portrayed conservative students much like the KKK claiming CTR stood for "Crush the Refugees."
Teachers and administrators were targeted in headlines and articles. One section named students the most likely to become a porn star or come out of the closet.
Rebecca Johnson, Skyline Parent: "I understand freedom of speech, but not when we use racial slurs and slander and sexual harassment. That's just not appropriate."
The school says the students have a constitutional right to write what they want... though they must also be responsible for their actions.
Two students have come forward to take responsibility for the paper. They've received detention. But some parents say it's not enough.
Rebecca Johnson: I think it's really important that there is a consequence, that they make a public apology to these students."
We talked to several teachers and parents for this story. Many of them were reluctant to go on camera because they were afraid of being implicated or making the situation worse.
Skyline's principal was also going to do an interview with us, but the district cancelled, saying parents needed to address their issues with the school instead of taking it to the media. At least one parent told us they have already tried to do that.
Not all the students and parents saw the newsletter. The faculty tried to gather up all the papers as soon as they could, but most of the students knew about it.
But parents say a lot of parent's don't know what's going on. The ones who do told us they wish the faculty would have an open dialogue with the students, their parents and the administration.
