Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS. : AT THE SCENE : Class of ’86 Leaves Its Mark at Pacifica

The graduating class of 1986 left its mark on Pacifica High School last Friday, calling it “senior lawn decorating,” a long-standing tradition.

Police called it vandalism with a price tag of at least $5,000 in damages, and they arrested eight seniors that they were able to catch on the Garden Grove campus.

According to officers and students that were there, as many as 50 students--most of them seniors--left spray-painted graffiti on the school’s windows and walls, uprooted trees, broken sprinkler heads, a broken water line and a flooded arboretum.

“I don’t think it was any big deal,” one 17-year-old said. “I just think the spray painting got out of hand.”

When police arrived shortly after midnight, students were on roofs, in buildings and running across the grounds. All but the eight arrested seniors, male and female, escaped, for the time being anyway.

Said an aide to Principal Tom Hoffer: “I think it’s easier to ask what seniors weren’t involved.”

Three of the arrested students were adults, and they were booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of felony vandalism. Bail for each was set at $10,000.

Conviction on the felony charges can carry up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Under California law, parents of minors who damage school property can be held financially responsible.

Principal Hoffer said he didn’t think any of the vandalism suspects would be denied their diplomas at Monday’s graduation ceremonies.