East Texas

By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer

VAN -- Two high school twirl team members can kiss good-bye to performing at school functions for the next two weeks, after performing to the pop song "I Kissed a Girl" during a pep rally before a football game.

Last Friday, the Van High School twirl team members were disciplined by school officials for performing the song by Katy Perry where she sings "I kissed a girl and I liked it, the taste of her cherry Chapstick."

Van High School principal Keith Murphy said he has not received any complaints from parents about the performance and that the entire incident is being blown out of proportion.

"The girls were not suspended from school or placed on probation. The incident fell under the student code of conduct and was handled by the band director," Murphy said.

Two members of the three-girl drill team are not allowed to perform at football games or functions for the next two weeks.

Murphy said the girls will continue to go to class and can attend practices.

The Van Vandals twirl team is monitored by a sponsor and the high school band director who work together.

"They're supervised," Murphy said.

Murphy said he was not at liberty to discuss any of the circumstances surrounding the incident, only that it's being handled by school officials.

"This is not as big of a deal as everyone is making it out to be. We've taken care of it," he said.