A student who took a photo of a game of beer pong with Nazi and Jewish symbols was expelled from The Lovett School, officials said Wednesday.
That student misled school officials about his role in setting up and participating in the game, which contributed to the decision to expel him, Lovett Headmaster William S. Peebles said Sunday in a letter to parents.
Another student, who hosted the off-campus party with 19 current Lovett School seniors, three alumni and about 10 other students and graduates, was suspended and will have an opportunity to reapply to the school, Peebles said.
Four more seniors were also suspended and two students who appeared to be watching the game were banned from co-curricular activities during the first two weeks of school.
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The game not only involved alcohol use by some minors in attendance, but also the decision to use the symbols.
“The fact that someone could even conceive of such a game and then play it and think it’s funny is beyond words,” Rabbi Peter Berg told Channel 2 Action News.
Berg said his initial reaction was one of absolute horror when several people emailed a photo of the game in progress.
In the image, students are seen playing beer pong with cups in the shapes of a swastika and a Star of David.
“To see that image as a Jewish person is something that the Jewish students in that school, it’s gonna take a long time to get over, if ever,” Berg told Channel 2.
The Lovett School launched an investigation and Peebles said officials do not believe any of the students had malice in their hearts or were prejudiced.
The matter is an opportunity for character education, Peebles wrote.
“I think the school did a phenomenal job, and it’s exactly what you would want the school to do,” Berg said. “They took it seriously, they did a thorough investigation, there was a punishment, and even further, there’s a plan moving forward.”
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