An earlier version of this story contained photos that the El Estoque board has since decided to remove.

Updated on April 21 at 8:58 p.m.: This article was updated to include details from Assistant Principal Michael Hick’s email to students, parents and staff.

[dropcap1]O[/dropcap1]n the morning of April 17, vandalism was discovered on the softball field, sparking local authorities to inquire about activity seen by the school’s neighbors. The incident includes a series of four vulgar graffiti messages on the softball diamond, and, according to junior Sam Nastari, a vulgar image was also spray-painted onto the green part of the same field.

“I just thought what’s the point- no one’s saying ‘haha good job,’ no one knows who did it,” said Nastari. “There’s really no point and you’re just messing up a huge project that we spent a lot of money on for the school.”

Around 10:30 a.m., police asked residents of surrounding streets if they saw any suspicious activity on the MVHS field between the night of April 16 and the morning of April 17.

This incident is being linked to two other recent accounts of vandalism on school grounds: an expletive was spray-painted on the Monta Vista sign at the back entrance on April 15, but was cleaned soon after it was discovered.

Additionally, senior Shiron Drusinsky was present when more vandalism was found in the dugout of the baseball field during a game on April 14. He said that several vulgar markings had been made, and the vandals had even broken the lock on one of the doors to the dugout in order to break in.

Punishment for vandalism crimes under the California Penal Code can include incarceration, fines or both, and in an email sent to students, parents and staff of MVHS at 4:24 p.m. on April 21, Assistant Principal Michael Hicks stressed the severity of the incident.

“In this [vein] we are offering $1000 for information that leads to the implication of those involved in the defacement of school property,” Hicks wrote.  “If you have any information that you would like to share please contact Assistant Principal Michael Hicks or Principal April Scott.”

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