UNITED STATES
Illicit CP - August 1999

Corpun file 4253

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Fox News, 18 August 1999

Nearly 100 High Schoolers Face Suspension in Freshmen Hazing Incident

Associated Press

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Nearly 100 Burnsville High School students face suspensions or community service for taking part in a hazing incident in which popular freshmen were paddled, smeared with ketchup and mustard, and forced to roll in mud.

Fifteen to 20 students were humiliated and bruised during the end-of-the-school-year ritual in June. The freshmen apparently were chosen by seniors-to-be on the basis of their popularity.

People identified as participants have a choice of two disciplinary options, Burnsville Superintendent Benjamin Kanninen said Tuesday.

They can elect to be suspended from school for five days and from extracurricular activities for six weeks. Those who aren't involved in after-school activities would be excluded from prom and graduation.

The alternative is making presentations to their peers on why hazing is wrong and performing 20 hours of community service through the Dakota County corrections department.

"A lot of kids think what this amounts to is just a slap on the wrist, but it is more than just that," said Burnsville Police Chief David Farrington.

Kanninen said he believes the hazing may have been going on for three or four years.

"But this is where it has to stop," he said. "And we will stop it."