Marching our way to April, students await the burden of exams, homework, and graduation. In the midst of our busy schedules, a certain day dawns among the monotony of routines. For those who choose to participate, the day can bring sincere humor. The victims of those participants, however, may not find the first of April as amusing. Some teachers reminisce on pranks they pulled in their past or sneaky pranks they pulled themselves…
One of our Bearcats was taken aback when she came home to find a gift from her house-sitters. While Bailey Raniero and Caydence Ryan were caring for Mrs. Shearer’s house, they decided it needed a little decorating. About a thousand tiny ducks later, the prank was set. It is safe to say that this prank quacked the agriculture teacher up. Mini plastic ducks filled every open shelf in her home. When Ms. Shearer got home, she went to the sink and saw a couple on her window sill. She noticed the cute ducks and laughed as to what she thought was a couple, until her boyfriend pointed toward the wall of green iridescent ducks. Shock and laughter fill the room while both wonder so many questions. Mrs. Raneiro admitted to her prank, and Ms. Shearer admitted to liking the glowing accomplices.
On a more diabolical note, Mr. Miller pulled a penniless prank on his sister-one she probably has never forgiven. Years ago, he and his sister used to play the lottery together on the TV, clutching their tickets with anticipation. Though a silly ritual, the lottery brought them together, where they both dreamed of a life-changing windfall. Mr. Miller sneakily looked up the winning combination and copied them down onto an old ticket. With a straight face, he handed it to his sister, watching as her eyes scanned the “winning” numbers. When his sister read the ticket, a cheer as loud as can be roared through their living room. She was already planning their shopping spree, vacations, and escape from everyday life. But just as she was about to call someone to share the news, Mr. Miller cracked. With a guilty grin, he confessed the truth. Mr. Miller may have won the prank, but he lost a lottery partner.
In the same range of prank-level as Mr. Miller, Mr. Rodney has established a reputation as the sultan of famous April Fools’ jokes, always capable of putting at least one teacher into a racing heartbeat of anxiety. His default gag? Terrifying them witch-less. Every year, on schedule, he will pull the life-size, spooky-looking witch out of the Halloween decor. With a devilish grin and a devious plan, he lays the witch in random areas throughout the school like sitting on top of desks, hiding in dark corners, or even jumping out from around corners. Mrs. Schlimm fell victim to the prank when she entered her class. There, at her desk, was the witch, leaning forward as if to deliver the lesson herself. The scream could be heard from the other side of the school, while Mr. Rodney carefully watched his plan come to life. Once the shock wore off, Mrs. Schlimm glared at him, but even she had to admit, it was a work of genius. And so the tradition continues. Every April 1st, the teachers are kept on the lookout, knowing that in some corner of the school, Mr. Rodney’s witch lies in wait to strike.
Last, on a more lighthearted note, some students pull miniscule pranks that are still just as funny. Seniors Abbie James, Annie Kunkel, Alice Dong, and Sophie Neumeister played an eye-raising prank on people throughout the day. Anytime someone would talk to them, they would all slowly raise their eyes as if something is wrong. Students and teachers would get paranoid, wondering what is wrong, but the senior girls kept their expression going without telling anyone. While a rather harmless prank, the paranoia and questions raised from a simple expression makes a funny and simple prank.
Whether your day includes executing a planned prank or being pranked, make the best of the occasion and a note to all the unaware victims of April Fool’s Day: remember laughter is the best medicine.
