MTV-inspired pranksters still not officially charged

December 2, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - A popular MTV program that broadcasts re-enactments of creative high school pranks apparently inspired a group of four Mat-Su teens to sabotage the school bus fleet serving the Mat-Su Borough School District.

Their actions caused schools to close Tuesday while mechanics scrambled successfully to repair buses for school Wednesday.

Alaska State Troopers spokesman Greg Wilkinson said the suspects saw the MTV program, &#8220High School Stories,” before allegedly deflating 69 tires on 44 First Student buses early Tuesday morning. The vandals also unplugged engine block heaters from 110 buses, making them unable to start in the cold temperature.

Troopers suspect the vandals did their work between 11 p.m. and midnight on Monday, without their parents' knowledge.

Bus drivers discovered the situation when they arrived for work early Tuesday morning to warm up buses.

&#8220These guys spent a little more time than the average kid,” said First Student contract manager David Dickerson. &#8220It's really hard to do what they did and it's costing us a lot of time and money.”

Troopers contacted the four suspects, ages 16, 17, 17 and 18, this week and allowed them to remain in the custody of their parents until the investigation is finished. The entire episode is estimated to cost at least $10,000 in damage and another $40,000 in lost revenue for First Student.

Troopers and school officials would not release the names of the suspects, but two students are from Burchell High School and two attend Wasilla High School.

The four students were immediately placed on interim suspension and face possible expulsion from the school district.

The MTV show that allegedly inspired the vandals is dedicated to finding real-life high school pranks and broadcasting them nationally.

&#8220These stories are true-to-life reenactments of actual high school scandals, pranks and controversies starring the troublemakers and class clowns that made it all happen,” MTV's Web site states.

Mat-Su school officials, however, were not amused by the alleged bus vandals' actions and school information specialist Kim Floyd said the district will urge prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

&#8220This was not a prank,” Floyd said. &#8220A prank is mildly mischievous - this was willful destruction of public property.”

Floyd said the vandals do not represent the student body as a whole and she praised students who came forward with the information that led to identifying the suspects.

&#8220This is a small community - in most cases like this, people talk,” she said. &#8220The grapevine is a powerful communication tool and fortunately some conscientious folks brought information forward that allowed us to identify the perpetrators.”

Students and staff working together at Wasilla High were able to identify the suspects, Floyd said. She said the district would honor its promise to pay $1,000 to the person most responsible for assisting in the investigation.

Burchell principal Dave Holmquist said he is disappointed that two of his students are suspected in vandalism.

&#8220We have a long-standing reputation at Burchell with very little vandalism,” he said. &#8220It just hasn't been a part of our culture.”

Holmquist said he wasn't aware of the MTV program, but doesn't doubt the show could influence students.

&#8220I think media can certainly have an impact on young people,” he explained. &#8220Not just here, but all over the nation.”

Nationally, the three-year MTV show has featured dozens of pranks, with film crews traveling across the country to find the most bizarre high school shenanigans. The program also highlights occasional pranks that get out of hand and those students who are forced to face the consequences.

Floyd said the bus vandals do not reflect the mindset of Mat-Su students as a whole.

&#8220We have good students,” she said. &#8220This is an exception, not the rule.”

Contact Joel Davidson at 352-2266 or joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.