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Students Release 72,000 Ladybugs For Senior Prank At Maryland High School

Students Release 72,000 Ladybugs For Senior Prank At Maryland High School


Senior pranks are a common occurrence this time of year, but some students at a Maryland high school may have gone a little too far with their prank. About 75 seniors at Chopticon High School chipped in money to purchase 72,000 ladybugs, which were released into the high school on May 20th.

It seems like a harmless act, but the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said that five suspects wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts broke into the high school at 3:40 a.m. on May 20th. There were two other suspects involved that were waiting outside in the getaway car. All seven of the male suspects were arrested.

While inside the high school, the students released 72,000 ladybugs they had purchased online for about $100. Four of the suspects were juveniles and charged with fourth degree burglary, property destruction under $1,000 and disruption of school activities. These four suspects were released into the custody of their parents. The other three suspects are adults and will be charged via criminal summons.

Senior Eric Maxey said, “Everyone was obviously laughing the next morning because it was so unique. It didn’t cause any damage and the school had already bagged up most of them by our second period.”

Yes, the janitors were able to get all of the bugs out of the school in a timely manner, but it did not sit well with school officials and one of the students involved will not be allowed to walk at graduation. This has caused an uproar among students and an online petition was started, which has over 2,000 signatures.