Photo: PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou / PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections / Getty Images
An Oklahoma school district is under fire after a video showing students licking toes during a charity event went viral on social media. The Deer Creek School District confirmed the incident happened on Thursday (February 29) during Deer Creek High School's Wonderful Week of Fundraising, an annual philanthropy event, according to KOKH.
Footage obtained by the new station shows an announcer counting down before several students lying on their stomachs start licking the feet of people sitting on bleachers. At one point, someone could be heard saying, "He is devouring them!" An anonymous parent told reporters the kids were licking peanut butter off people's toes.
Officials said the high school hosted an assembly called Clash of Classes, where students in 9th through 12th grades signed up to participate in various class competitions. KOKH learned students were paired up based on their grade levels for the toe-licking game. No teachers or staff members were involved in the event.
The viral video spurred shock and anger from students, parents, community members, and even politicians. Several parents said they were shocked to learn the bizarre event unfolded at the school. Oklahoma Superintendant Ryan Walters, who called the video "disgusting" in a social media post, said his agency will investigate the incident.
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants called the video "gross" but also slammed Walters and other public figures for spreading misinformation about the controversy.
"It’s gross! What’s just as gross though is for electeds like Supt. Walters to misrepresent it, & now those lies are spreading like wildfire," Rosencrants posted on X. "That said, better judgment was most def needed."
The weeklong event raised over $150,000 for Not Yout Average Joe Coffee, which supports students and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, according to school officials. The Deer Creek School District also apologized for the event in a statement sent to reporters on Friday (March 1):
“We want to stress to our community that much of the information accompanying this video is inaccurate," the statement reads in part. "However, through this specific game we failed to uphold the dignity of our students and the proud image of our community. We have a responsibility to protect our Antlers and showcase them in a positive light. In regards to this one particular activity, we fell short and for that we greatly apologize."
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