Rochester’s Old Colony Wig Prank Sparks Debate, Ends With a Happy Resolution

When Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School senior Kelsey Peters walked into picture day with a bright blue wig, she thought she was pulling off a harmless senior prank.

What she didn’t expect was to spark a conversation about school rules, identity and compromise.

“It started as a joke between me and a few friends,” Kelsey said. “We thought it’d be funny to wear wigs for our student ID photos. Hair changes all the time. People dye it, cut it, or even wear wigs every day, so why would this be an issue now?”

About seven or eight students joined in, swapping wigs and snapping photos that made them laugh. But once the photos were sent off for official use, administrators raised concerns.

The Pushback

Peters explained that the front office asked students to remove the wigs, but when she pointed out that nothing in the student handbook prohibited it, they were allowed to finish their session. Later, however, they were told they would need to retake their photos.

“I was told it was a security issue, that they need to identify us in case of an emergency,” Kelsey said. “But you can clearly see our faces. It’s just hair.”

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Frustrated but determined, Peters launched a petition to let the wig photos stand.

“It’s harmless. We wanted to collect them for our senior wall in shop," she said.

To be fair, compared to the wild pranks other schools used to pull, this is nothing. It’s fun.

The Principal Weighs In

Principal Gary Linehan explained that the school needed a middle ground.

“What we told the students is, they can keep those wig photos for their personal IDs, but for the student management system, we want an accurate portrayal,” Linehan said. “If they wore those wigs every day, no problem. But since they don’t, we just need a real photo for official use.”

That compromise meant students could hold onto their playful wig photos for IDs they carry, while the school maintains accurate records behind the scenes.

In true good-humored spirit, Linehan and other bald staff members decided to join in on the fun.

“The superintendent and I – both bald men – are planning to take a photo with the seniors, all of us wearing wigs," he said. "We might even put it in the yearbook.”

A Harmless Prank With a Happy Ending

What began as a small act of protest ended with laughs, understanding and maybe even a new tradition. Honestly, if this is what they planned for a senior prank, I’d say that’s a win for both sides.

For Peters, the fight wasn’t just about wigs. It was about students having a voice.

“I just wanted to show that we can stand up for something, even if it’s silly. It’s about having fun while making our senior year memorable," she said.