Community

TEENS ASSIGNED BOOK REPORTS FOR SPRAY PAINTING HISTORIC ASHBURN SCHOOL

The five teenagers charged with vandalizing the historic Ashburn Old School pleaded guilty and received their sentence today.

Ashburn Old School

The five teenagers charged with vandalizing the historic Ashburn Old School pleaded guilty and received their sentence today, according to multiple reports from local media outlets.

You’ll remember it was last September when the historic building, which served the community’s African-American children during the days of segregation, was vandalized. Various racial and crude words and symbols were spray painted on the walls of the school.

ashburn old school

Here’s a quick summary of what happened today:

  • The teens — all 16 or 17 years old — pleaded guilty to one count of destruction of private property and one county of unlawful entry.
  • As part of a plea agreement, the judge withheld a finding of guilt as long as the teens complete a long list of requirements.
  • Their rehabilitation includes visiting area museum exhibits about intolerance and oppression of minorities, as well as reading and writing reports on 12 books — one each month for the next year.
  • Three of the teens are minorities themselves and prosecutors agreed to the terms because, after interviews, they did not feel the teens fully understood the meaning and ramifications of the vandalism.

ashburn old school

The Ashburn Old School is currently being refurbished as part of an ongoing project by the Loudoun School for the Gifted. The vandalism made national news and hundreds of area residents turned out to help repaint the school and make repairs. More than $70,000 dollars was raised online to go towards funding the ongoing renovations.

Images: Loudoun School for the Gifted
1 Comment
  1. C Willows 7 years ago

    Book reports? Wow, sounds like some are getting off way too easy.

Comments are closed.