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Seven Lakota students were arrested for vandalizing Lakota East High School.

Around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, May 15, the students allegedly smeared ketchup, mustard, glue and thumb tacks on the front of the school building and the sign by the entrance, according to police reports. They also toilet-papered about a dozen trees.

Custodians working in the building overnight saw some of the vandalism and called the Butler County Sheriff's Office. One vehicle of five students left the scene before the deputies could make an arrest, but School Resource Officer Dept. Doug Hale said officers apprehended two students.

Kenneth Whirls, 18, was charged with vandalism, resisting arrest, criminal trespassing and failure to control his vehicle, according to reports. Joseph Case, 18, was charged with vandalism, criminal trespassing and obstruction of official business, according to reports.

Both men were released from the Butler County Jail Thursday afternoon on an own recognizance bond, according to jail officials.

Five other East students were apprehended at school Thursday. Nathan Rausch, 18; Bradley Tackett, 18; and Andrew Dunham, 18; and two 17-year-olds were charged with criminal damaging and trespassing.

"Senior pranks are always a concern because it takes us away from focusing on the positive end of the school year," said East Principal Keith Kline.

Kline said he talked to students last week, warning against pranks and encouraging them to make good choices.

"It's unfortunate some of them made choices that will impact the end of their senior year," he said. "We're still assessing the monetary damage and the hours custodians took away from their jobs to clean up the mess."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.

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