A Yearbook Chemistry Joke That Turned Out To Be Too Hot For A School To Handle
The administrators were not pleased once they figured it out.
By Sadho Ram — 21 May 2014, 06:21 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
A senior class vice president and all-around model student Paris Gray (who it seems is not very good at spelling) tried out a chemistry joke, but she didn't get a positive reaction from school administrators
Paris was suspended when school administrators figured out what her yearbook quote meant
The quote read, "When the going gets tough just remember to Barium, Carbon, Potassium, Thorium, Astatine, Arsenic, Sulfur, Uranium, Phosphorus."
theatlantic.com
When the elements are translated into their symbols on the periodic table, they spell out:
Barium, Carbon, Potassium, Thorium, Astatine, Arsenic, Sulfur, Uranium, Phosphorus translate to [Ba][C][K] [Th][At] [As][S] [U][P], when you use their acronyms.
businessinsider.in
Sadly, the school administrators don't share her enthusiasm for the hilariously nerdy joke
What began as a light-hearted quote to fondly remember her senior year could possibly threaten Paris's ability to attend graduation. Paris told local news station WSB-TV, "I think their reaction was beyond what it should have been because nobody understood it. It just completely destroyed me, and my mom's been telling me don't let it ruin my happiness but it's like really taking a big toll."
theatlantic.com
The whole controversy could have been avoided if yearbook editors or staff at the school had caught the quote before the yearbooks had been printed, but perhaps some people are just slow to the punchline.
mashable.com
But thanks to the Internet for its love for chemistry, and wordplay, and 90s references (intentional or otherwise), the story spread, and justice has been served
The school's principal called Paris and now she will be able to walk at graduation after meeting with the school district’s superintendent.
theatlantic.com