It’s OK to Do What You Would Like to Do, Just Don’t Get Caught

We all believe in our inalienable rights of the freedom of speech, but just how far can it go? Forty-four students at Stevenson High School in Lavonia, MI were suspended for wearing tee shirts that said "Puschin' It To The Limit" on one side and "Class of .08 Seniors" on the other. The .08 refers to Michigan alcohol limit for intoxicated drivers. The high school principal, Steven Archibald, felt that it was the wrong message and promoted underage drinking. When asked by a local TV station whether it had anything to do with drinking, a student replied, "Oh, yah …it (the reaction from the administration) is kind of pointless…it's just a joke."

Archibald had gotten wind of the upcoming senior prank back in April and had sent parents two messages one by mail and the other via email warning them there would be consequences if this happened. The suspended students involved will have to earn back their right to attend Senior Prom and "walking" (across the stage) during the graduation ceremony. The suspended students were prevented from attending an honors award assembly that same evening.

Mother Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) felt the actions against the student were appropriate as most if not all are underage to begin with; while some suspended students felt that they were being unfairly singled out for their prank. One mother, Dawn Lewis, felt that it was unfair to punish the students who worn the tee shirt and to go after the person who designed the shirt in the first place. "They are kids…what are you going to do?"

Anheuser-Busch in a press release from the headquarters in St. Louis on May 9, 2008 may have anticipated such high jinks. "Especially during the prom and graduation season, parents may face pressure to host teen parties with alcohol," said Carol Clark, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility at Anheuser-Busch. "By exchanging best practices through this new forum ( the Positive Parenting Connection page on MySpace at www.myspace.com/positiveparenting), parents can better understand their role in preventing underage drinking and also realize they're not alone in saying no."

K's comments: hmmm—two notices to "Cease and Desist" or "halt this planned activity" before the event happened are excellent points in Principal Archibald's favor, he is a good high school administrator. MADD spokesperson said the goal was to prevent underage drinking with zero tolerance, is also a good point. The adage "Kids will be kids" and "People have worn tee shirts worse than this."– are poor arguments. I recommend the American Civil Liberties Union or other lawyer groups not even think about getting involved in the one. You have bigger fish to fry.

K.