May Madness: Juanita High's Annual 'Hotness' Contest Draws Controversy

Springtime brings many long-held customs to high schools in Kirkland. Standardized tests. Prom. Senior pranks. Graduation.

At Juanita High School, spring also often marks the return of a tradition many parents and students find offensive—or at least problematic: May Madness.

The "contest" pits female students against one another and asks their male peers to vote for whomever they deem more attractive. Several media outlets reported on the matter this week, with most focusing on a similar contest at Issaquah High School.

At Juanita, it appears a student or group of students is currently using Twitter to direct their classmates to the online polls.

As The Seattle Times reported, school administrators say their hands are somewhat tied because the online content is not being posted on school property, and organizers are very careful to maintain their anonymity.

This year, students in Juanita's leadership class are planning to conduct a “kindness and respect campaign” in response to May Madness, Lake Washington School District spokeswoman Kathryn Reith told the newspaper.

---

Are you concerned about May Madness? Do you think school officials are doing enough to manage it? Tell us in the comments section.