From late February through early March, a gnome-searching frenzy swept over the school as English teacher Lacy Krell enlisted the help of students to rescue her kidnapped gnome.
This prank started in January around the end of the first semester when seniors Natalia Hernandez and Jackie Cruz swiped the gnome from under Krell’s nose.
“She was making us mad in class and so we decided to get back at her by sneaking a gnome,” said Cruz.
It was eventually revealed through Instagram that Hernandez and Cruz had stolen the gnome, so Krell confronted them about it. She asked for it back, they said no, and this repeated until the situation escalated.
“Talia and I went to Ms. Toler about it and [she] gave us the idea to make it a joke where we make ransom letters,” said Cruz. “This was around the time of Melas [Doy Tapis], so we wanted to make a counter association to that called [the Society of] Counter-Krell.”
Krell had an AP Lit dystopian society called Melas Doy Tapis, which motivated Cruz and Hernandez to form an opposing society and start (jokingly) sending Krell threats that they would harm the gnome if they didn’t get their ransom, i.e. donuts. Both staff and students aided in this process.
“I helped write the riddles,” said English teacher Ms. Rylee Toler. “But for the most part, they were all students‘ [work]. It was just the kids doing stuff with the gnome and having me print stuff off.”
Some students tried helping Krell find her missing gnome, namely some Leadership Workshop kids who were sent a message on February 23rd to figure out the identity of a threat-sending mystery number.
“I received a text from another teacher showing me the ransom video and note, then a text from Ms. Krell asking if any of the SHSLW advisors knew the number that the video came from,” said AP Psych teacher Kimberly Rowe. “Half the class [was involved in texting the number and helping out].”
With the safety of her gnome threatened by the Society of Counter-Krell, Krell had to decide between giving into their donut demands or leaving her gnome to their dangerous whims. However, on March 1st…
“I brought in eight dozen donuts, but not for the thieves. I brought [them] for anybody that could give me information about the whereabouts of my gnome,” said Krell. “Those donuts were misappropriated by liars and cheats ALL OVER Salem High School, and my gnome was not returned.”
While it was a clever attempt to subvert the captors’ expectations, she obtained no useful information and all the donuts were taken by students who knew nothing.
“I had no clue what was going on about the gnome,” said senior AP Lit student Cambri Sams. “I just took a donut because I was hungry.”
It also backfired with how the Society of Counter-Krell retaliated. The gnome was tormented like never before.
The gnome suffered various forms of torture, from being stuffed into a donut box to being run over by a car. (Provided by: L. Krell)
They also wrote riddles that alluded to the gnome’s whereabouts. This started a wild scavenger hunt that had no real treasure.
Two clues left in classrooms around the school. (Photos by: I. Straw)
Krell’s helpers combed the school for the gnome, roaming from classroom to classroom, analyzing clues as if they were ancient tomes. The gnome was not found that day, but neither did the perpetrators receive their donuts.
Well, at least not a whole box of donuts.
“I did [get donuts] and it was through me lying to her and her little goons saying that I didn’t steal it,” said Cruz. “Talia got half of one, but we did not get the full box.”
The gnome was returned the next Monday, but Krell had to “sign” a treaty between her and the Counter-Krell Coalition.
“I was supposed to sign the treaty in order to get my gnome back. I refused because a treaty is for two parties at war, and I was never at war—I was the victim,” said Krell. “My gnome was kidnapped and tortured. They glossed over that part, gave me my gnome back, and have put the treaty on the board as though it’s a valid piece of paper. And they signed my name for me.”
Although Krell may not be completely satisfied with this resolution, her gnome is back safe and sound in her classroom, and this time he is settled away from student reach.
