pranks

This page is dedicated to pranks and hacks. No one may write up their own hacks of course but I would like to have a record of all the good ones at BUA.

A few years back, our loving headmaster Dr. Tracy's car was giftwrapped as a senior prank. This is one of the most famous of BUA pranks, and Dr. Tracy is rumored to have told them, "Next time, go for the whole building!"

April Fool's 2005 there was a very well arranged and executed placement of construction barriers and signage redirecting anyone seeking entrance to Mr. Garber's classroom through the science closet. This was a great hack because it was not disruptive or damaging but was noticed by everyone who walked by it. Some of the signs may still be up around the school.

While as far as I know it is just a legend, aparently there is a sprinkler box in the basement under the lobby. (The entrance is in the "north stairwell".) It can be set for any time and was reportedly set to go off at the beginning of lunch. While great success and the soaking of many was reported, I have no idea how it turned out. **Alumni note**: This did in fact happen, but the timer was set for the end of classes. To accomplish the deed, the doer must have been very small, skinny, and fearless.

There was also the Huge picture of Mr. Greenberg in the East Stairwell that said you won the prize sometime during the 03-04 school year. And you can't forget the greenberg dance. Link dead, requesting further information. Greenberg has since been replaced by Castell.

In 2001, some Seniors decided to throw Dr. Horn a 70th birthday party. Thing is, Dr. Horn had just turned 50 or so. The Seniors stuck fliers in all of the students' mailboxes that said "Be sure to wish Dr. Horn a happy 70th birthday!" Since at that time Dr. Horn only taught Juniors, all the lower grades believed that he actually HAD turned 70. Students were coming up to him all day wishing him happy birthday, and he had no idea what was going on. Finally, the Seniors showed up in one of Dr. Horn's Junior history classes with a cake covered with candles! Surprise!

In 2004, a certain science teacher and a senior put on black ski masks, attached laser pointers to the bottom of rubber band guns, and, while another senior carried a boom box playing the A-Team theme, proceeded to shoot up Mr. Horn while he conducted a class.

Likewise in 2004, it was discovered that all the clocks in the academy are driven by a 1 sec 24VDC pulse every minute. a 90 DB buzzer was installed in parallel with the clock in Dr. Horn's room (poor man, always the victim). Please note that very loud noises are nondirectional to the human ear...

During the spring of 2003, when the class of 2006 was taking physics, a certain then-freshman asked Mr. Garber why he needed to learn a formula. Mr. Garber replied, "What if space aliens showed up and threatened to abduct you if you couldn't tell them the formula?" This was met with much scoffing, and insistence that that would not, in fact, ever happen. During the June final, an hour through the 2-hour test, two or three older students came in, dressed as space aliens. They went over to the inquisitive student, and asked him to tell them that formula. When he was unable to do so, they picked him up and brought him out of the Academy Room, where the final was taking place. When he was returned later, his entire body was duct-taped, except for his left arm. They put him back in his chair, and with Mr. Garber looking on happily, he attempted to finish his final with only his left arm free.

In 2007, several members of the freshman class crafted dozens of grues all through Mr. Murphy's art class. They then proceeded to tape them in random places all over the school. As of 2008, there are a few still around. Also as of 2008, there are plans to put even more up. They involve ladders and lots and lots of brown, white and red paper.