WALKER, MI – Sabrena Hall and more than 60 other Kenowa Hills High School seniors are upset that a bike ride to school this morning got them suspended on the last day of school, and banned from the traditional senior walk.

Students say more than 100 classmates participated in a 3-mile bike ride to school that included escorts by a Walker Police cruiser and the mayor. It was supposed to be a fun twist on the types of things that typically happen on senior prank day.

But Principal Katie Pennington was not consulted and not happy about the organized event, suspending 64 of the students for the day. There are about 300 students in Kenowa's senior class.

“She was very upset,” said Hall, 17. “We did not consider this a prank at all, but an opportunity to celebrate our last day at school. We were singing the school fight song (while biking).”

But the principal was not pleased.

“I am glad they made it here safely. It was a safety risk,” said Pennington, who said the bikers caused a major traffic problem and disrupted the school day.

Students traveled from the Walker Fitness and Ice Center, 4151 Remembrance Road NW to the high school, at 3825 Hendershot Ave. NW.

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There were reports that teachers and others were late in their commute because of the mass bike ride, and that traffic at one point was backed up more than a mile.

Students said they did call police beforehand to arrange an escort.

Walker Public Safety Director Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom said she was informed that the supervisor on duty was contacted this morning about providing an escort. She said she found out about the escort after the ride.

“There’s not a sidewalk on that entire stretch, so it made prudent sense,” said Garcia-Lindstrom of the escort. “We really didn’t have a lot of notice. I am certainly glad we had one vehicle available.”

Garcia-Lindstrom said there is not another way to get to the school except for riding along Four Mile, so riders would compete with buses. She said the department has a good working relationship with the school.

Pennington said students who were suspended will be allowed to attend commencement. She said she will be discussing with teachers how to address those who missed exams.

Hall and others said in the past there’s been vandalism or other poor behavior on Senior Day.

Several parents gathered at the school, frustrated by the decision to send students home.

Sue Rusch, a parent of participating student, said Pennington overreacted.

“If it was a malicious act, I would support some type of punishment, but this was an organized, safe event,” Rusch said. “I applaud the students.”

Rachel Nicks said she is "100 percent" behind her son, Cody, who is on the National Honor Society and has a 4.33 GPA. She said she was surprised by the principal's hasty decision regarding an "organized, healthy, green activity."

"I have no regrets," said Cody, 17, who like other students says it was not a prank but a celebration.

Email: mscott2@mlive.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter at Twitter.com/GRPScotty.