Mount Pisgah Academy Disciplines Students for Hazing Incidents
31 January 2025 |
On Thursday, January 23, Mount Pisgah Academy principal Dewald Coetzer received an email from a concerned citizen regarding “inappropriate hazing incidents” among students. An internal investigation began, with twenty-two students interviewed separately concerning the incident. Eight students were found to be directly involved, including four students who were residential advisors (RAs) but didn’t intervene, leading to expulsion or suspension.
Mount Pisgah Academy is an Adventist boarding academy in the Asheville, North Carolina area.
According to News 13, which was notified about the event by the original email being forwarded, Gary Moyer, vice president for administration and executive secretary for the Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said the incidents involved students “pulling down their friends’ pants and squirting water bottles at their rear end areas.” The students responsible claimed it was a joke, but the extent of the behavior and its implications are yet to be fully defined.
Child Protective Services (CPS) was notified twice by Coetzer, once for the initial report and a second time with new information.
“The claim that these events have been ongoing without intervention is deeply troubling, and we are committed to addressing any gaps in oversight or policy to prevent recurrence,” Coetzer said. “We will continue to work with law enforcement and child welfare authorities to ensure justice is served and that the affected students and their families receive the support they need.”
Coetzer asked that anyone with information contact the appropriate authorities. An anonymous reporting system has been set up at the school to encourage students to come forward with concerns.