Colored Hairspray, Glue Used to Damage Hevelone Center for Fine Arts, at Beatrice High School

BEATRICE – Beatrice Police are investigating a reported vandalism incident during Homecoming Week at Beatrice High School today. It happened at the Hevelone Center for Fine Arts.

A Beatrice Police School Resource Officer and an investigator with the department met with school officials this morning. High School Principal Jason Sutter says two male freshmen have been found to have done the damage.

"We have identified some students that been involved, were involved and have admitted their involvement in that. Any time we have vandalism or some kind of event at school that could also be a violation of law, we include our school resource officer. So, we are in the process of issuing school consequences and also, possible legal consequences", Sutter said.
Beatrice Public Schools Superintendent Jason Alexander said two swastikas were spray-painted on the front balcony of the Hevelone Center….and a glue-like substance was sprayed on the carpet of the center. School officials are meeting with the district’s insurance company to determine the extent of the damage. Sutter said the symbols used in the vandalism are not believed to be directed at any specific person.

"When questioning the students, they really didn't understand what they were using the hairspray....a colored hairspray probably left over from our Addams Family musical...they didn't really understand what they were drawing with that hairspray on the wall of the Hevelone Center...and so, it gives us an opportunity to go back and look at why something like that would be drawn and continue to educate our students about the appropriateness of different symbols and different diagrams".

The Hevelone Center was blocked off this morning as police were investigating. The damage apparently was done yesterday in the early evening hours, after school had dismissed for the day.

Sutter said, "We're disappointed. We value the Hevelone Center. The Hevelone Center is a source of pride for our community and for those young students to go in there and do some things that were damaging to that, is not something we will tolerate or are okay with. Unfortunately, we have an obligation to investigate those things and determine what the consequences will be".

Sutter says the incident may cause the district to take another look at policies regarding access to school facilities in those hours after the school day. Often, events and activities are going on, after class hours.  This is Homecoming Week at Beatrice High School, but Sutter says the incident is not considered a prank associated with the week. The Orangemen football team is hosting Grand Island Northwest in Friday night’s game.