Cheerleaders and their families at Cartersville High School in Georgia are in shock after finding offensive graffiti and a racial slur in their cheerleading area. The incident, which happened on Tuesday afternoon, has left many angry and upset, especially as questions swirl about how something like this could even happen.
Peggy Carter, whose granddaughter just started her freshman year as a cheerleader, called it a heartbreaking experience. “My granddaughter is a freshman—what a way to start high school, dealing with something so hateful,” Carter shared.
The varsity cheerleaders were getting ready for an away game when they stumbled upon the mess. Photos shared on social media showed their uniforms covered in mustard and creamer. On top of that, a refrigerator in their space had been vandalized with crude drawings and a racial slur.
“She was just mad,” said one cheerleader’s mother, describing her daughter’s reaction. “She kept asking, ‘Who would do this? Why would someone target us?’”
School officials wasted no time addressing the situation. Assistant Superintendent Andre Weaver explained that they quickly launched an investigation alongside the Cartersville Police Department. “We’re reviewing videos and photos,” Weaver said. “Within 24 hours of learning about the incident, we identified a suspect, and that person was arrested.”
Authorities confirmed the suspect is a juvenile who doesn’t attend Cartersville High School.
Even with the swift arrest, some parents feel the school could have done a better job keeping them informed. “It took too long for parents to find out,” one mother said. “As a parent, I’m the one helping my child process the trauma.”
On Thursday morning, school administrators held a meeting with the cheerleaders and their families to talk about the incident and hear their concerns. Parents were eager to know what steps would be taken to make sure this never happens again. “How are they going to prevent this?” Peggy Carter asked.
The investigation is still ongoing as school officials and police try to figure out how the juvenile got into the school in the first place.
