This weekend, I read an interesting article in the New York Times about a former student at Miss Porter's, the famous New England prep school (shown below), who is suing the institution. The student in question was expelled in November of last year for skipping classes and cheating, and she's not happy about it. Nothing new there.
But the girl claims that her bad behavior was the result of bullying by a group of her fellow students. She blames a secret society known as the Oprichniki, which takes its name from a 16th century Russian torture squad. (Yes, it's a little weird. But this is a place where freshmen are required to learn four useless phrases in German and recite them in front of the entire school.)
There's no doubt that bullying is a huge issue at schools across the country. But there's one little problem with the Miss Porter's lawsuit. No one knows for sure if the Oprichniki still exists. Has the student in question resurrected a legendary group to clear her name? Or does the Oprichniki secretly rule one of the best-known girls' schools in the country?
Read the Times article and share your opinions!
18 comments:
Whoa Oo
wow... cool! But creepy tho
That's rather odd.
hmm....that's strange.... if they're not real, why would she go through so much trouble to clear her name? I mean, once you're out, you're out. And there are plenty of other schools out there....
(btw, German isn't actually that hard)
sigh. as a result of my useless education, I recognize the word "oprichnik..." It was a member of the secret police set up by Ivan the Terrible to terrorize people.
Sounds interesting; I should read the article.
hey when is the new book comin.... TELLLLLLL NOWWWWWW
-yaz
I read that article, and the first thing I thought was, "Gosh, I bet kirsten would love this!"
Creeeeeepy
it IS sort of funny. Like Mrs. Puffington's Academy over-run by the Mafia
has anyone actually went to the website? i read all about it and i immediately loved it, my mother was thinking of transferring me but some of the schools arent up to par(I live in NYC and the schools that are good theres like 10k ppl applying there)i might suggest Miss Porter's but then again the fee annually are 42k if your boarding...
I say as long as you can do serious damage and scream really loud, you're fine.
Cool cover (top) picture!
And amazing story! I'd like to learn more!
COOL!!!!!
My dad says that if someone bullies you, fight back. And it was her decision to do the things she did.
P.S. I love the book cover
Why does New York Times always have the best stuff!
I wish I could subscribe
I am definitely on this girls side. Bullying can be awful, I wouldn't be suprised if there was organized bullying. There is a book called the chocolate wars (I advise you not to read it, it's incredibly pervy and we had to read it for school **pukes**) but it's about kind of a gang that organizes fighting, fads, bullying, and other forms of torture. But it's with boys.
I feel so sorry for that girl. Organized bullying doesn't really surprise me - anyone who says guys are more vicious than girls CLEARLY hasn't spent time with popular high-schoolers!
So true. :(
I think that girl goes to a school on my city, Ashely Hall in Charleston,SC.
If anybody knows what high school she goes to, i would be happy to investigate...
im thinking of going to that school. . .but im a little daunted by that article. . .
the question is:
is it a girl making an excuse for cheating? or a serious bullying issue that's out of control?
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