smells like teen spirit...

School spirit project ends with obscenity complaints

by Sabra Gertsch & KOMO Staff
Originally printed at http://www.komonews.com/news/local/41979512.html

MILL CREEK, Wash. -- It's a shirt made by the school, but students can't wear it on campus.

Jackson High School student leaders handed out some 2,000 T-shirts to its students, then asked for them to be returned after parents claimed the shirts display an obscene message.

The shirts feature four terms - "mole rat," "stain," "crabby patties" and "burnt toast," each defining a class at Jackson High. The Everett School District said the senior student leadership came up with the names as a part of a spirit project, and randomly chose the names they thought were fun and different.

But some parents found nothing fun or different about the words "stain" and "crabby patties."

According to UrbanDictionary.com, "stain" has several slang meanings, including "sex partner," "to have sex with someone" and "a person in your life you can't get rid of."

The same dictionary describes "Crabby Patty" as "a female with crabs."

"Calling us a slut through another definition," said sophomore Melissa Kane.

Parent Susan Kane said she was very upset by the shirt. "Sending home my daughter with a shirt that does not describe her at all."

Some students refused to take the shirts home. Those who did so are now being asked to bring them back due to the negative response.

"They're talking about them all the time, the teachers. We had a big discussion about it in class the other da," said Melissa Kane.

But some believe it's all much ado about nothing.

"I think it turned into a big mess," said junior Julia Larsen. "I've talked to people don't think its that big of a deal. People think its funny. The intention was supposed to be funny."

District officials said students responsible for the shirts feel sick about what they claim is an unintended response.

"The damage is done. The kids feel bad. The money was wasted.Spirit week is ridiculous. They're all upset," said Susan Kane. "That's why I'm mad."

The T-shirts were paid for with student fees -- their parents' money. The district would not confirm how much was spent, or how much more it will cost to correct the shirts which will now display the year each class graduates.