Light blue was announced as East’s new school color at a “Special Senior PAC” Oct. 3. Since then, dozens of students have dropped out in protest.
“As a Duke fan, I have felt persecuted at this school for years,” junior Cameron C. Razy said. “This new color is just the last straw.”
Principal Jesse Casey says he invited a group of more than 20 students who planned to drop out to a restorative circle Oct. 17. In this discussion, the students named several grievances.
“First of all, you didn’t even try to pretend it was just ‘light blue,’” an anonymous senior said. “At the assembly, you specifically said ‘Carolina blue.’ Carolina. blue.”
In the end, the Duke fans left the restorative circle unsatisfied. The next day, they did not show up to school.
“I honestly did not notice that they were gone,” senior Abby Thetic said. “And, to be honest, good for them. None of us really want to be here.”
Casey says that the administration is trying everything they can to convince the Duke fans to return and recommence their education, but that little progress has been made. In the end, he says he’s a bit bewildered by the whole situation.
“I had no idea that there would be such a reaction,” Casey said. “When I rigged the vote, I was just trying to make sure it would be the cheapest color to print T-shirts in.”
Photo by Hammond Cole Sherouse/The ECHO
