Goodrich-The line between Halloween fun and meanspirited pranks was blurred this week, as the names of local teachers were displayed on fake tombstones in the yard of a Goodrich High School student.
Kirk Hanning, 32, said the tombstones were created with the help of his step-daughter, Olivia Goeckel, in the spirit of Halloween revelry. When it came time to put names on the stones, Hanning says it was Olivia, a GHS sophomore, who suggested the names of five of her school’s teachers.
‘It was just Halloween decorations,? said Olivia, 15. ‘It was just for fun.?
Fun, however, was not how some of the teachers named viewed the display.
Olivia said she was asked to speak with a school counselor to determine the intent behind the gravestones.
GHS principal David St. Aubin said that while the tombstones were constructed as a Halloween joke, feelings were hurt.
‘We all talked it out and the situation was resolved,? said St Aubin. ‘Things are better now.?
Hanning said the police were called about the decorations, as concerns were voiced as to what the implication of the personalized tombstones was.
However, said Hanning, not all reactions to the decorations were negative.
‘We’ve had more positive feedback than anything,? said Hanning.
Ultimately, Olivia was asked to personally apologize to all the teachers named, and removed one of the tombstones.
‘I was scared (to apologize) because I didn’t know how they would react,? said Olivia.
The remaining four tombstones were left for the remainder of the week leading up to Halloween.
‘It wasn’t meant to hurt anyone,? said Olivia.
Hanning echoed the sentiment.
‘We by no means meant to offend anyone,? said Hanning. ‘It was all in good fun. We were just in the Halloween spirit.?
Hanning said he was unsure if he would have a similar display next year.