"Twilight" at Root of Teen Hysteria? Vampires at Boston School?

The movie, Goth fashion, teen cliques, teen angst and internet access added up to a sucky scare at one of New England's oldest high schools, Boston Latin.
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The movie Twilight, Goth fashion, teen cliques, teen angst and internet access added up to a sucky scare at one of New England's oldest high schools, Boston Latin.

Last week students began emailing news outlets claiming there were vampires at their school, that students had been bitten and that the police were called into investigate. One student wrote to the TheBostonChannel.com

Supposedly 3 students believe that they are vampires and today when a student was bitten the police were informed. I heard that one girl was arrested another suspended

Police came by the school on "an unrelated matter," accelerating rumors, and did

speak to some of the students and quelled the rumors that were going and kind of told them the effect those rumors could have on the rest of the student population,

said police spokesman Eddy Chrispin. Headmaster Lynne Moone Teta assured parents, students and faculty there were no real vampires at Boston Latin (whew), issuing this statement:

I seek your cooperation in redirecting your energy toward the learning objectives of the day. Please do not sensationalize or discuss these rumors...At no time was anyone's safety in jeopardy.

Meanwhile students interviewed by news agencies admitted that there were a few kids who claimed to be vampires. Several girls carry umbrellas to avoid sun exposure, and allegedly Goth girls were being harassed by by not-Goths. None of the Goths were available for interviews.

The release of box office vampire smash Twilight on DVD may have added to the teen-vs-teen unease. But really, this whole incident points out the holes in today's educational system. Any student who had read Dracula, or even Interview with the Vampire, or seen a traditional vampire movie--would know that teen vampires would not be attending classes. They'd be home schooled after dark.

Lisa Derrick is La Figa at Firedoglake.com

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