A church held a ceremony Friday for more than 30 students who couldn't march with their class following a senior prank at Darlington High School.
More than 400 people filled Macedonia Baptist Church for the ceremony.
It was set up just like a traditional graduation with the pomp and circumstance and awarding of diplomas.
The students weren't allowed to take part in the school's graduation due to damaging part of the school during a prank.
The church's pastor Reverend Cecil Bromell gave the graduation message.
Often times, as young people, we are scolded for our mistakes. But really apologized for our achievements. Today, we want these young people to know that we are proud of your accomplishments.
Many of the students say they're happy to have been given a graduation ceremony and are thankful for all of those who put it together.
The students and their parents said it was a harmless prank that followed the tradition of other ones at Darlington High School over the years.
The Darlington Police Dept. and school district have released a statement addressing the prank, which happened on May 12.
Officials said that more than 30 seniors and underclassmen from Darlington High School entered multiple school buildings on the campus without permission.
The statement said that the students vandalized and damaged property, including:
- Cameras intentionally obscured with debris
- Doors and windows egged
- Chalk paint used to graffiti walkways, walls, and windows
- Syrup and confetti spread throughout the buildings
- Chocolate sauce poured on the walkways and tracked inside
- Shaving cream sprayed in water fountains and on lockers, display cases, and windows
- Trash cans containing food and milk turned over and garbage spread throughout the yard and buildings
- Light poles, water fountains, and doorways wrapped in plastic wrap
- The principal's office and the central office broken into and vandalized
- A Falcon mascot headpiece removed from the display case and left in the courtyard with shaving cream on it
- Feminine pads stuck to doorways, walls, and stop signs
- Classroom furniture thrown down the hallway
- Gym equipment and team water bottles removed from storage and thrown around the gym
- Hand sanitizer dumped in the hallway
- Various construction items brought on campus and left inside the building
- In addition to the vandalism, several items and money were stolen from the main office.
While checking the security of the building, police said they saw what appeared to be suspicious activity at the school and once they found the damages the investigating began immediately.
The statement said that due to the amount of damage and vandalism done, teams of custodians and school staff worked from midnight to the start of school to make sure the school opened and operated as usual on Friday.
The participants violated multiple sections of the Darlington County School District discipline policy as well as violated criminal law, including trespassing, vandalism, and potentially burglary charges, according to the release.
Several students said the allegations against them aren't true. They added they had permission to go inside the school, but don't want to say who gave them the green light to enter the building.
School district personnel worked with school administrators and law enforcement to assess the situation and determine the discipline. The district is handling the discipline per the district's discipline code.
Dr. Tim Newman, superintendent of the Darlington County School District, "As educators, it's always difficult when young people make poor decisions that could impact their future. This was a serious situation with serious consequences. While accountability is necessary, this moment does not have to define the future of these students."
Some people in the community said the district is taking the right action to discipline the students but should go a step further and have them prosecuted for violating the law.
Others said that would be a little extreme and could impact the students' scholarship opportunities if they have a criminal charge on their record.