Manzano drill team disbanded over hazing

The drill team at Manzano High School has been disbanded and several members face suspension this week, due to allegations of hazing.

Specifically, two students are accused of creating a list of pranks for other team members to complete and leaving offensive messages at two local Catholic schools. Those students face long-term suspension, according to a written statement from Albuquerque Public Schools.

Most of the students will serve five days of in-school suspension and will do community service.
The drill team, called the Majestics, had 10 members. They were told to turn in their uniforms this week, and will not be allowed to participate in any performances or other drill-team related activities for the rest of the school year.

The team will be reformed next school year, and the current team members will be allowed to try out after serving their suspensions.

APS district policy bans hazing, and Superintendent Winston Brooks said in a written statement that he backs the administrators at Manzano who decided to disband the team.

“Hazing is a form of bullying, of harassment, and it will not be tolerated by Albuquerque Public Schools,” Brooks said in the statement. “We find it demeaning and inappropriate. We applaud the Manzano administration for taking a hard stance and making tough decisions when it comes to disciplining students who participate in hazing.”

The pranks were done in anticipation of the Spirit State Championships, held last weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center. The Majestics did participate in the competition, because administrators and coaches didn’t find out about the hazing until after the fact.