We, the undersigned students, families, and faculty of Yucaipa High School, stand up unwaveringly against comments made during the school-wide Thunderstruck Episode TS 363 28 on 20 March 2026.

During the announcement, remarks were made suggesting that boys tennis players should wear “cute skirts like the girls,” as well as comments about attending a freshman activity to “search for prom dates.”

These statements were an inappropriate reinforcement of harmful stereotypes, an objectification of female students, and blurred boundaries between upperclassmen and freshmen in a way that felt unsettling.

• We keep in mind that the Freshman Class of 2029 are the newest and most vulnerable group on the YHS campus, as well as the demographic that YHS Administration has made clear they aim to allocate the most attention, respect, and inclusion to.
• We keep in mind that individuals of the YHS Girls Tennis Teams have reportedly made clear that they had not approved of comments made before they were aired schoolwide.
• We keep in mind that this comment took away from the celebration of the boy's tennis win. 
• We keep in mind that ALL individuals referenced to in these comments are HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; these comments regarding said age range are grossly inappropriate. 

Thunderstruck is meant to represent our on-campus student community and should be a space where all students feel respected and safe. Comments like these:

• Reduce players to their appearance rather than their athletic ability
• Reinforce gender stereotypes
• Create discomfort around age dynamics between students

Even if intended as humor, these remarks had a real impact on how students felt.

We are respectfully requesting that:

• An acknowledgment of the issue and a public apology to the students commented upon is made.
• Greater care and oversight regarding future broadcast content is implemented moving forward.
• A reinforcement of guidelines that ensure future Thunderstruck (and all school-affiliated announcements/media) episodes remain respectful and inclusive.