The two students reportedly performed a pretend battle with toy light sabers, earning a standing ovation from their peers and a 10-day suspension.
WESTFIELD - Two Westfield High School students were suspended and barred from attending their own graduation ceremony after they took part in a fake "Star-Wars" themed fight in the school lunchroom.
The story hit several media outlets in the past week, and comes in the wake of similar heavy-handed punishments being handed to students across the region for offenses such as proposing for prom via cardboard letters on the front of a school.
Westfield students Tom Costello and Ryan Angco reportedly performed a pretend battle with toy light sabers in the lunchroom at school, earning a standing ovation from their peers and a 10-day suspension from Principal Raymond Broderick.
"They very easily could have hit another student," he told WWLP-22 News. "They could have started something different, someone could have gotten hurt and it was just a disruptive situation and they understand it's not acceptable."
The students have reportedly written letters apologizing for the situation and an official hearing on the matter is scheduled to take place this coming week.
A Facebook page was created to show support for Costello and Angco and as of midday Saturday, there were more than 500 supporters listed and voicing their opinions.
The Facebook Page Demanding that Tom Costello and Ryan Angco be Allowed to Walk at Graduation
"It really was just harmless fun. And as many other people have already said, it was not even a senior prank, so why take their ability to walk at graduation?," one person said. "What were they possibly doing, disturbing the peace that we call lunch time? I could understand if they were to have fought or cause complete chaos, but they didn't. This is clearly just blown out of proportions. The punishment really doesn't fit the crime."
Another person called the stunt "good clean fun," and said that she believes Costello and Angco deserve to walk across the stage at graduation.
"I salute the kids for their good clean fun. I would call that performing arts, nothing to be suspended for. I hope that the principal has the ability to own up to the fact that not letting these two walk would be a mistake that can never be fixed."
What do you think? Should Tom Costello and Ryan Angco be allowed to walk across the stage at graduation or did their Star Wars tribute go too far? Chime in below and join the conversation.