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Wednesday, September 22, 2021
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Website fuels vandals, frustrates school of�icials BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
B
oth Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts – like their counterparts throughout the East Valley and in many parts of the world – are struggling with a rash of vandalism fueled by a challenge to pre-teens and teenagers on the social media platform TikTok. Lured by the desire to score “likes” from their peers around the world, middle and high school students are stealing school property, then posting photos or videos of the items.
The trend has been loosely called “The Bathroom Challenge” or the “Devious Licks Challenge.” “Lick” is slang for stealing. And though it started with teens ripping paper and soap dispensers, toilet seats and even faucets from school bathrooms and showing off online, the trend has broadened to include other school property – even fire alarm devices, according to some parents’ reports on various social media platforms. The vandals’ incentive is to see how many likes they can garner. Some news organizations across the country and around the world
are reporting some images have drawn thousands of likes and millions of views. The vandalism has provoked warnings of dire repercussions and pleas to parents and students from high school principals in Gilbert Public Schools, Chandler Unified and Tempe Union High School districts and Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Andi Fourlis. Stating “we are sorry and disappointed it has come to this,” Desert Vista officials said the vandalism “has necessitated our limiting of bathrooms that are open at certain times,
see TIKTOK page 4
Deaf local dad’s gridiron glory inspires players BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
J
oel Plote has the look of a football defensive end. At 6’5,” he wreaked havoc on opposing offensive lines at Wapsie Valley High School in Fairbank, Iowa. He earned Player of the Week honors in 1986 and helped lead it to a state title the same year as a senior. But Joel – whose son Jack is a Mountain Pointe a senior offensive lineman – stood out from the rest for another reason. His nickname was the “Silent Stalker” – and not just because of the way he tracked down quarterbacks. Joel was born deaf and didn’t learn sign language until he was 18. “I’m grateful the coach gave me an opportunity to play,” Joel said through his wife, Joy, interpreted for him. “There wasn’t a lot for me
see PLOTE page 12
Joel Plote still has some memorabilia in the house from his playing days, including his cleats. He often shows them, as well as highlights, to his kids for motivation. He helped his high school team win a state championship despite being deaf. He didn’t learn sign language until he was 18. (Zach Alvira/AFN Staff)
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