Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • Freed Up
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Log In

Create new account

Culture

Student's Plan to Dress Up as Santa for School Freaks Out Authorities

Let's just avoid anything resembling a "surprise," no matter how innocuous, for the time being

Reason Staff | 12.21.2012 2:37 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

A Crawford County High School sophomore said he hoped to spread Christmas cheer at school by dressing as Santa Claus. But with parents and school administrators on guard after the shootings at Newtown, John George III of Roberta was suspended when his "preview" on Facebook was interpreted as a threat.

George posted on his Facebook post at around 7 p.m. Tuesday:  "Students of cchs ur in for a big surprise tomorrow <let the games begin>."

A parent found the post threatening and called police. 

According to a police incident report, an officer then interviewed the parent and reviewed George's Facebook page. The officer said it "appeared to have a very Gothic and dark theme," with references to gangs and fighting.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Port Strikes Could Hit Gulf, East Coast

Reason Staff
CultureNanny StateSandy Hook School ShootingChristmasSocial MediaFree SpeechTechnology
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (3)

Latest

How Milei Defused Argentina's Hyperinflation Bomb

Juan Ramón Rallo | From the December 2026 issue

Labor Unions Won Big on Election Day, With Ballot Initiatives and Friendly Politicians

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 11.7.2026 7:00 AM

A Major Reform of California's Environmental Regulations Looks Destined for Failure

Christian Britschgi | 11.6.2026 5:10 PM

As Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller Will Reinforce Trump's Worst Instincts

Jacob Sullum | 11.6.2026 4:55 PM

White House Warns Conservative Groups It Is 'Monitoring' What They Say Amid Discontent Over Midterm Results

Josh Pauzé | 11.6.2026 4:40 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reason

The All-Argentina Issue is Here

New from Reason: a look into what Javier Milei has accomplished and what it will take to make the most of Argentina’s window for real change. Out now for subscribers.

Subscribe & Start Reading Learn More