Community condemns antisemitic, racist imagery drawn by group of State High students
A photo containing racist slurs and imagery has circulated around the State College Area High School community, drawing censure and concern from students and parents alike.
On June 14, a Snapchat of a Crumbl cookie box covered with drawings of antisemitic symbols and racist and homophobic slurs was sent in a group chat to several students. Three State High rising seniors and one incoming Penn State freshman later posted apologies on their social media platforms for participating in drawing the symbols on the box. Other State High students of color were referenced on the box, including a threat to lynch a student one of the individuals had previously dated.
The three current State High students are all members of various district athletic programs, including the football, basketball and lacrosse teams.
In a written statement to the Centre Daily Times, the district said it has been working with the students and families involved to use restorative practices and rebuild relationships.
“Since we became aware of the incident, our priority has been the respective students’ physical safety and mental well-being,” district spokesperson Chris Rosenblum said. “School is not in session and this event happened outside of the school environment, so we are limited in terms of the scope of the disciplinary action that we can take.”
Savannah Holes, a rising senior at State High, was in the group chat that the photo originated in. At first, she was shocked by the photo, believing the students found the box rather than drew it themselves.
“I just had a loss of words because that’s not something you expect to see from people that you surround yourself with and people you’re around all the time,” Holes said. “People that you consider your friends and people who act cool with you but they’re really just thinking these awful things.”
By Friday, the Snapchat had circulated to most of the student body and several parents, prompting the district to send an email to all State High families. Administrators, including principal Laura Tobias and Tonya Black, Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, condemned the incident and offered counseling support for students and families in the email sent last week.
“We are deeply disturbed and offended by such intolerant and hateful actions and strongly condemn this type of behavior,” Friday’s email said. “Our school strives to be a safe and welcoming place for inclusion and belonging, and this incident has hurt many of our students and our community at large.”
Despite the district’s letter, several parents and students expressed disappointment at the district’s efforts, believing it did not comprehensively address the damage to the community or the actions the district would take going forward. State High parent Paul Hallacher said he was “disgusted by the administration’s tepid message.”
“It sounds like no sort of punishment or even acknowledgment of wrongdoing on the part of individuals is even part of it,” Hallacher said.
Others asked if the students will face disciplinary action, as the actions clearly violate the student code of conduct, despite happening off school grounds and outside of the school year. Some students asked if the individuals would still be eligible to participate in district athletics or preseason camps or practice as the summer continues.
Sarah Ocampo, a rising senior at State High, said it is inevitable that students will encounter racism but the district needs to take further action to support students and the community.
“What the school admin should do is take some action to make sure the students at State High feel safe because a large community of people just don’t feel safe after school, and they feel overwhelmed with the information they just received,” Ocampo said. “And it’d be great to have some sort of support from admin shown.”
