DES MOINES – Freshman girls who are part of Roosevelt High School’s synchronized swimming club are causing quite the stir, for hiring a male stripper to perform at one of their events.
Roosevelt High School’s Sharks Swim Club holds a private banquet every year, and it’s something the freshman plan for the upperclassmen. But what was meant to be a joke at this year’s event quickly turned into a scandal.
Officials say the freshman swimmers hired a male stripper to perform in a room they rented at the Des Moines Social Club. One of the girls’ older siblings reportedly ordered the stripper for the group.
The stripper started to perform, but was stopped by a Des Moines Social Club employee who thought it was inappropriate.
School administrators say the girls won’t be punished because they technically didn’t break any rules – and the swim club operates outside the school’s activities department, because it’s run and funded by students.
Police also say whoever the male stripper is – he didn’t break any laws.
“When we start looking at the elements involved in it being a criminal act, those include nudity, contact,” said Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department. “What went on there probably isn’t any different than what kids of the same age might see at a concert or in a music video or something like that, so it’s my understanding that the performer didn’t cross that line. We can’t police poor taste and I don’t think anybody’s going to disagree that this was a bad decision “
Among those who agree it was a bad decision are other adult entertainment agencies. In fact, they say most of the blame should fall on the stripper.
The owner of Striptease U.S.A. told Local 5 that his company – which he says is not connected to this event – has strict policies which tell the entertainers to leave if minors are present.
There’s no word yet on who the stripper in this situation is, or what company – if any – he works for. We will keep you updated as we get more information.
