Conard Senior 'Prank' Takes Over Parking Lot

Monday is the final day of classes for seniors at both of West Hartford's public high schools, and each year the students try to come up with something memorable as a "prank."

Most of the time, they manage to keep their plans a surprise to the administration as well as the rest of the school community, and that seemed to be the case this year.

On Monday morning, confused expressions were obvious on the faces of parents and underclassmen driving into the Conard student parking lot. You could see their lips mouthing, "What the heck?" as they were greeted with the smell of grilling hotdogs, the sounds of party music, and the sight of students playing football and enjoying a tailgate already in full swing before 7:30 a.m.

The students spent time at the tailgate enjoying breakfast and signing yearbooks, as well as socializing with classmates. 

"We're really proud of all that our seniors have done and we're glad they're finding one last way to connect before finals," said Principal Dr. Peter Cummings. The Conard administration ensured that it did not get out of hand, as some pranks have in previous years.

In 2010 the senior prank resulted in serious damage to the school's library and several arrests. Another year, Conard students released crickets into the hallways.

Reportedly there was one prank which involved three pigs set free in the school. The pigs were numbered 1, 2, and 4, and staff spent lots of time searching fot the non-existent pig no. 3. Last year's senior prank was a game of "Pac Man" through the hallways.

A 2012 prank at Simsbury High School was perhaps one of the most surprising in the area, resulting in the placing of pygmy goats on the roof of the school.

A large percentage of the West Hartford seniors have already been "done" with school for some time, as most of the work in Advanced Placement courses is completed prior to the May exams, and seniors with A's or B's in classes are usually exempt from taking final exams.

Tuesday is the last day of classes for underclassmen. Graduation for both Conard and Hall will be held on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25 is the last day of classes for elementary and middle school students.