Hazing warning issued at St. John's high school

The principal of a high school in St. John's has issued a warning to former students to steer clear of a hazing party that is expected to target younger students.

Booth Memorial Principal Gail Zwicker wrote this week to parents of recent alumni, advising that the school has learned that what's called a "reunion" party is planned for the Friday night of the first week of classes.

"It has come to my attention that some senior/graduated Booth students have, over the summer, been taking it upon themselves to 'initiate' students who will be in Grade 10 in the upcoming school year," Zwicker wrote.

The school does not know the location of the hazing event, although she told parents that previous initiation events have involved paddling with a piece of wood and "forced drinking from a tube."

"It is organized by students no longer going to Booth since they feel that there are no school consequences in doing this," wrote Zwicker, who then advised parents to tell their children that such activities are assault under the Criminal Code, and that teens over 18 can be charged as adults.

Zwicker asked parents to encourage a student boycott of the event, and to "inform me of any names of students or former students" who may be involved.

"I will also forward any names to the RNC and they will visit the homes," she wrote.

"I know that the children of most parents receiving this email are not involved in this at all so if the majority speak up and inform on the minority as a community we can put an end to these kinds of practices," Zwicker wrote.

Not hard to avoid

Former Booth student Jordan Pike said he and friends worried about pressure to attend initiation partiesso much so that he and a friend "went to the gym and we got into boxing" to prepare for it.

Pike said that as it turned out, it was easy enough to avoid the hazing ritual.

"There is a party out in the field and if you don't go, you won't get paddled and if you go, you will," he said. "The best option would be just to not go."

Ken Morrissey, director of communications with the Eastern School District, said intiation parties are never welcomed.

"We don't tolerate hazing, bullying, any initiation practice of any kind, and we take it very seriously," he said.

Morrissey said students who learn in advance of parties or who are victim to hazings should approach a person they trust, including parent, teacher or police officer.

Hazing warnings have become increasingly common at some schools in Newfoundland and Labrador, with Education Minister Clyde Jackman entering the fray with a warning in May that girls were being pressured to share sexually compromising photographs of themselves on social media.