A bagpiper’s visit as part of a senior prank brings joy to high school

PEORIA, Ill. (WEEK/Gray News) - Senior pranks can be destructive and messy, but a prank at a high school in Illinois is gaining views online.

The sound of bagpipes filled the school’s hallways May 9 as a bagpiper followed Richwoods High School Principal Billy Robison around. The prank lasted an hour, and Robison led the bagpiper through the high school and down the street outside.

“The response from the students and staff was amazing. They were cheering, coming out of classrooms, clapping, and videotaping,” Robison said.

Robison said senior pranks are a tradition at the school, and this particular prank has been his favorite yet.

“Sometimes, you know, TP-ing the building, paint balls, and all that type of stuff is more negative, so this was just really refreshing. It was great,” Robison said.

Seniors Pierce Hill and Maggie Moore planned the prank a few weeks ago. Given the go ahead by Richwoods’ assistant principal, they paid a bagpiper from the local group Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums.

“We wanted to do a mariachi band but [it was] too expensive at the time, so we thought the next noisiest item that I know and that is a bagpipe,” Hills said. “I didn’t think we would get this far so quickly, but it makes me feel good that something that is noisy and not destructive could make it to national television.”

Hill said it was awesome to see his classmates’ reactions to the prank.

“It makes me feel great to leave on a big bang like this,” Hill said. “I felt joyful. It was amazing, just seeing the kids, seeing others stand outside their classrooms just to watch. I was shocked.”

Robison said it’s great that something positive like this is being shared.

“It’s just really refreshing,” Robison said. “With schools and kids really struggling with so many negative things today — anxiety, depression — it was just really awesome for them to be recognized for something positive.”

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