We, as members of the Potomac School Community, petition the Potomac School for reversal of its decision to expel Connor Sweeney. Our goal is not to undermine the administration’s authority, but rather to express our humble opinions regarding this matter. Any punishment should be commensurate with the offense.

Connor Sweeney is a cherished member of the Potomac School Class of 2014. For anyone trying to find him, Connor can typically be found either recounting a funny story in the crossroads, or encouraging his teamates on the lacrosse field. This energetic student, playful in nature, has been an invaluable source of comfort and stress-relief for many at Potomac. Had it not been for Connor’s relentless enthusiasm and levity, many of us would have had a much harder time completing Potomac’s rigorous curriculum and reaching graduation. Ironically, it seems Connor may not make it to graduation himself.

On May 28th, 2014, 15 days from graduation, all Seniors were required to attend the Athletic Awards Assembly. The night before, Connor had been at a friend’s house, and it is the understanding that beer was present, but no other Potomac School students were there. While cleaning up, a bottle was placed in Connor’s cleat bag. The next morning Connor woke up and left for the assembly, with this bag. Having forgotten the bottle was there, Connor retrieved the cleat bag to play soccer with his friends and casually tossed the bag onto the sidewalk to pose for a group picture in front of the Engelhard Performing Arts Center. Unfortunately, the bottle shattered inside the bag and leaked onto the concrete. Upon inspection, Connor was immediately pulled aside and questioned. Faculty members told Connor that if he told the truth, they would work with him to solve this problem justly, so he complied. But, this did not happen.

Potomac’s current Standards of Conduct calls for an immediate expulsion for anyone who brings alcohol or illicit substances onto campus. While none of us condone Connor’s actions, they do not warrant the severity of an expulsion. Potomac’s current policy on drugs and alcohol is in desperate need of reform. Clearly Connor did not intend to possess alcohol on school property, there was no intent to consume alcohol on school property and there was no intent to distribute or share this alcohol with others on school property.

The Potomac School’s current policy fails to differentiate between good kids who make the typical mistakes of adolescence and unruly delinquents who can truly disrupt our community. We understand that a respected institution such as Potomac needs to take a zero tolerance stance on drugs and alcohol, but zero tolerance and expulsion do not have to go hand in hand. Connor made one mistake in the last week of his senior year of high school; it should not define the rest of his life. He does not deserve this. Please, re-evaluate your decision.