Pacelli principal turns the tables on students’ senior prank

By Brandi Makuski

Pacelli’s Class of 2022 has just a few days left before commencement.

But before all the pomp and ceremony—the May 25 evening baccalaureate Mass, then the May 28 graduation ceremony—Principal Larry Theiss wanted a little payback for Wednesday’s senior prank.

The prank, organized collectively by a group within Pacelli’s senior class of 37 students, initially involved using their vehicles to block parking spaces in the school lot. Unaware of the prank at first, Theiss called Kent’s Towing, but quickly canceled the towing company’s response after being clued in by students.

Over a dozen students moved their vehicles, but in keeping with the spirit of the prank, parked on the school’s front lawn shortly after 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Theiss called over to Len Dudas Motors, a prominent supporter of the Pacelli Catholic School system, and asked workers there to bring “for sale” signs to place on some students’ vehicles.

Then, he called Kent’s again.

Kent Worzalla, owner of Kent’s, said he was happy to help with Theiss’ plan. Worzalla said some students and families from Pacelli are still a bit sore over a mass towing of student vehicles just prior to last year’s Panacea, and he welcomed the opportunity to be part of a positive experience.

“So we’re headed over there with all our trucks and we’ll back up to the prettiest ones there, we’re going to have the lights flashing and we’re going to blow all the airhorns so all the kids look out and see all the wreckers there trying to tow all the vehicles,” Worzalla said. “It’s the perfect prank back on the students.”

Moments after Kent’s three wreckers arrived at Pacelli, 1301 Maria Dr., at about 11:45 a.m., he sounded the horn, and it worked just as he predicted. Within a few moments, students began racing out of the building and into the rain, keys in hand. Many more students, as well as teachers, watched from the windows on the school’s north side.

Students quickly realized it was a prank when Worzalla appeared, laughing at their reaction. Theiss then emerged from the high school, pumping his fists in the air, then clapping with glee.

“Yes, yes,” Theiss exclaimed. “We got you guys good.”

Theiss said the prank was a “great for everybody involved” at the school.

“You should’ve heard it in the building—boom, boom, boom—just all the kids racing down the hallway,” Theiss said, laughing.

The group then posed for a photo on one of Kent’s wreckers before students went back to class.