Baby oil prank stupid, disappointing
The adage that "It's only funny until someone gets hurt ... and then it's hilarious" rarely holds true upon closer inspection.
And rarely do pranksters think through the ramifications of their merriment - both the potential injury to others as well as to their own reputations and social schedules.
Such is the case of a group of Bartlett High School seniors who wanted to stage a senior prank so funny that people would never forget it.
Six students have been ticketed for coating railings of the school with baby oil and vegetable oil.
The hoped-for result, one of them said, was "so people will freak out and not know what's on their hands."
Those who paid attention in physics and chemistry class could have predicted what would happen next, though. The oil got everywhere and the hallway and stairs turned into a giant Slip 'N Slide. People fell. A school custodian went to an urgent care center with a wrenched back; three students went to the nurse's office with bruises.
It could have been a whole lot worse. It could have been fatal.
Zach Konstanzer, 18, of Hanover Park; Stephen C. Maggard, 18, of Bartlett; Kyle M. Davis, 18, of Bartlett; and three 17-year-olds have all been ticketed and must appear in court June 8 to face the music.
They weren't allowed to participate in graduation Saturday and they weren't allowed to participate in other senior activities. Clean your lockers and get out.
Konstanzer also wasn't allowed to participate in a sectional track meet, which cost him a chance to earn an award for senior three-sport athletes.
They are all pretty lucky to get diplomas.
Whether the result was intended or not, this should serve as a lesson to think through the ramifications before you act - whether it's a graduation prank, getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, having unprotected sex, riding on the hood of a car, using drugs or whatever other unwise things kids do when they feel invincible.
The kinds of pranks that appear funny in movies can - and often do - turn dreadful in real life. These six young men have earned some community service at least. In addition to the injuries, the school's 2,700 students were kept in their first-period classrooms for 21/2 hours while the mess was cleaned up.
To his credit, Konstanzer owned up to his mischief and has shown remorse, flogging himself publicly by talking to the Daily Herald. But what of the other two dozen people he suggests were involved in the prank? Where are they?
They should step up to the plate and take their lumps as well.
This could just as easily have resulted in someone smacking her head on the floor, resulting in a murder charge. Think about that next time, senior pranksters.