Homecoming tickets a hot item (literally) at FGHS

100 dance passes, worth $900, lifted from school office a day before event

By Nancy Townsley

The Forest Grove News-Times, Nov 5, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

The theft of 100 dance tickets from a classroom at Forest Grove High School 12 days ago marred “one of the best homecomings ever,” according to leadership advisor Howard Sullivan.

Tickets valued at about $900 were stolen one day before the traditional fall dance on Oct. 24. Seventy to 80 of them were retrieved that afternoon, Sullivan said.

Forest Grove Police Capt. Aaron Ashbaugh said FGHS staff reported the tickets missing around 9 a.m. Oct. 23.

After several students came forward with information, a 17-year-old male student was identified in connection with the theft.

“Right now it appears that a civil compromise may be utilized rather than a criminal prosecution,” Ashbaugh said.

Assistant principal Karen Robinson said the student with the group of tickets distributed them to others, who later apologized for their participation in the caper. “They were sorry for what they did, and I think they’ll learn from their mistake,” she said.

Tickets to the dance were sold during lunch periods in the days leading up to homecoming. Each ticket was numbered, and students were required to sign their name on a sheet of paper next to that number as a security measure.

Two leadership students were assigned to sell the tickets, collect the money and secure it in bookkeeper Jennifer Collins’ office, he added.

1 | 2 Next Page >>