Fast Times at DeBakey High

DeBakey High School is one of Houston’s elite, even being named the premier school in the city the March 2006 issue of The Houston Press. Now, just two months later, HISD’s premier magnet high school is embroiled in a very public controversy, according to the same publication that gave them the title of being the best.

Eighteen students have been punished for breaking curfew while in San Antonio at a health services competition where students get qualified to participate in the Health Occupation Students of America national competition in Anaheim, CA, the home of Disneyland.

And what happened on their “wild” night? They all got together in one hotel room and watched cartoons. Those crazy kids! A teacher found out about the impromptu get-together and on the ride home after the incident, the students penned a two-page letter of apology, trying to redeem themselves for their actions.

Principal Dr. Charlesetta Deason took a week to decide on a heavy handed punishment for the students. The seniors involved can’t participate in a popular school-sponsored sleepover event, and they won’t be exempt from any finals, despite having the qualifications. For the 12 juniors involved, the punishment was more severe. They are banned from all HOSA competitions (the main event for DeBakey, since there are no organized sports teams) and other school-sponsored field trips and can’t hold elective offices for the remainder of their high school careers. According to the students, the idea of not allowing seniors to attend their prom or walk at graduation was even thrown around by the principals.

Despite the controversy and letters of complaint from parents, Deason stands by her decision, saying that the students know what conduct is expected of them, and they did not meet those standards on that night.