For at least two weeks, Norman North has been at war against an unlikely opponent, the students themselves. But how did this all start? Around the first week of September, on TikTok, someone posted a video of them stealing face masks from school, with the caption, “A month into school…absolutely devious lick”. Now three weeks later, mass vandalism has started across the nation, with Norman North just another victim in its tracks.

Devious licks usually happen in the bathrooms with some students stealing or destroying hand dryers, soap dispensers, and even mirrors. This uncoordinated mass vandalism attack on Norman North has forced the administration to make a response. In a message from Principal Dr. Garret, she states, “Destroying school property, stealing school property, and stealing teachers’ property will not be tolerated. Not only will you receive a strong school consequence and most likely receive a police citation, but you will also be expected to provide restitution. Vandalism is not excellence.” Students across the country continue to be arrested for stealing school property to participate in the TikTok Trend, which one student described as “committing a felony for clout.”

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| Thomas Richardson

Hand-Dryer hanging by the wires in the CCC Upstairs Boys Restroom.

Dr. Garret’s plan to stop this from happening is by catching the vandals. “All administrators are actively patrolling all restrooms,” she is not only asking her staff [to remain watchful] but also the students, “I am asking all students to also patrol restrooms.“ Offering an incentive of a small prize (prize has yet to be announced) “You can leave your name if you would like to receive, confidentially, a small reward or you can [report online].” A Google Form has been released called Please describe the theft, vandalism, or other inappropriate behavior that you witnessed: and you can submit tips here.

Students think that the “Devious Lick” trend is “stupid”, “childish”, and “Funny when it was small stuff or staged, but quickly became unfunny and just stupid.” One student said, “Why would someone want public school restroom products in their houses?” another went on to say, “[It’s] annoying and low-key just a sh***y thing to do.” Students are also concerned about not having soap in the bathrooms to wash their hands, One student said, “Funny until I can’t wash my hands anymore.”