Scheme uncovered to mock classmates at New Jersey school homecoming

RUMSON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Administrators at a New Jersey high school uncovered a scheme to elect an unlikely couple as homecoming royalty, and then mock them in front of the entire student body.

The superintendent at Rumson-Fair Haven High School called it off after word spread that some students wanted to rig the election as a way of embarrassing their classmates, a form of bullying according to parents.

Parents say the vote was canceled after administrators learned students wanted to pull a prank, picking an unlikely pair as homecoming king and queen and them making fun of them at Friday night's homecoming game, where they would have been presented had it gone through.

The regional school serves students from Rumson and Fair Haven.

The Friday night lights at the school were missing the long-held homecoming tradition after rumors of the effort to bully classmates.

"It's disappointing that they would be mean-spirited to other students," said parent Jennifer Sullivan.

"I think it's sad. It's a tradition," said parent Amy Sestito.

But other students say they have never witnessed any bullying here. They feel that everyone shouldn't be penalized for the actions of a few.

"It's tradition, there's no point in cancelling it," said student Joseph Sestito III.

"I think it's really unfair. Not everyone was involved," said student Grace Geiger.

"I think overall at this school no one is that bullied and everyone is nice to each other," said student Tayte Irvine.

It's not the first time something like this has happened, and parents say consideration is now being given to eliminating homecoming king and queen elections in the future.