Seniors drive cars inside school for prank

Students at Valley Christian High School in west Chandler were surprised to arrive at school Monday morning to see a bunch of cars parked in the hallway, courtyard and outside breezeway.

It was a prank by a group of graduating seniors.

The ringleaders were Tara Lau, Cole Bradley and Ashley Ree, said school spokesman Bryan Winfrey.

Early in the morning, the group coordinated with facilities manager Marty Smith to open the doors and drive cars in, making sure no damage occurred to school property.

"There were probably 12 to 20 cars," Winfrey said. "There was a wide range of vehicles. Some were nicer vehicles. You could tell they were borrowed from Mom and Dad, and others were older, first cars, typical student cars."

The prank caused a sensation, prompting many cellphone photos.

So that the school day was not disrupted the cars were pretty much out by the time classes began.

"They just wanted to create a fun, memorable experience," Winfrey said. "They did a good job of being creative and doing something memorable while still respecting the school."

Although a prank by seniors is a tradition, it's usually not on this scale. Winfrey recalled that his class of 2004 used a forklift to put tires up the flagpole.

The school, at 6900 W. Galveston, near Ray Road and 56th Street, has an enrollment of 315 in Grades 9-12. Sixty-two seniors will graduate Friday, May 23.

The prank, Winfrey said, "was a good example of how to have good, clean fun while showing respect for school property and individuals. … They're good kids."