Photo by Rohan Kakkar
Students enjoying senior prank activities in the quad
As a Marksman steps out of his car on a bright Monday morning, he is greeted by a shocking, but welcome sight. Floaties, pool noodles and the infamous dunk tank make it clear that it is a senior prank. The senior prank has been a part of the community for many years and has continued to be a source for on-campus fun and bonding. However, over the past few years, the prank has shifted from its roots in chaos to creating an event that is supposed to involve the whole community while still being humorous and giving the seniors some freedom.
“About 10-12 years ago the senior class and the administration talked and decided to shift the prank away from one that causes possible disruption of the school day to one that creates fun for the entire campus,” co-sponsor of the senior class, Dr. John Perryman said. The move for a community-centric prank has been successful, but the idea has not been able to permeate within the community, much of which still believes the prank is supposed to cause commotion.
“I think if senior prank makes you think of rebellion and chaos, I don’t think you know the boys of St. Mark’s and what St. Mark’s is about,” co-sponsor Sherry George said. “I think the seniors did a great job in representing what the school is about. It’s about community.”
However, even among those who understand this idea, a more “theme-day” like approach has been the cause of disappointment, as some feel that there is no actual prank being accomplished, regardless of the event’s community aspects .
“I mean it’s not really a prank at all. I feel like St. Mark’s has never had the type of people that would do a bad prank,” senior Wyatt Loehr said, “It might need a rebrand, but it’s fun. It’s something that’s unexpected for everyone besides seniors, so it’s definitely a surprise, but it’s definitely not a prank.”
Even when a more extreme prank that edges the rules is attempted, it is quickly put down, which may also lead to the event’s mediocre reception from some seniors.
“I feel like a lot of times in the past they try to throw in something that’s at least a little off script. They’ll fill a classroom with balloons, they’ll put coins everywhere,” Loehr said. “One year they did business cards everywhere. I guess the actual prank (this year) was filling the bathroom with little seagull pictures.”
While most of the prank seems like a random event, many permissions are actually required to not only complete the prank, but to also produce one that does not obstruct the school’s daily function.
“There’s a lot that goes into running St Mark’s, and there’s a lot of people that work hard for it so it makes sense to respect that and get those permissions,” George said, “They meet with them (Mr. Leneau and Mr. Atkinson) to get a lot of permissions, in order to get the date, in order to get the theme, in order to get a lot of that going, and then they run with ideas.”
The senior prank will continue to serve as a way for the school to enjoy itself in the final stretch of the year, but how it will do so is dependent on what the seniors wish to be memorable.