PRESS RELEASE 
Controversial Video 
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 
 

Last night it was brought to our attention there was a controversial video circulating on social media that 
possibly involved Weber High School students using racial slurs.  The short, 10 second video shows five 
teenagers in a vehicle and they appear to be casually shouting the f-word followed by the n-word. 
The teens in the video have been identified as students of Weber High School.  The students are juniors and 
seniors.  Three of the four girls are on the cheerleading squad. 
We are shocked by the conduct of these students and the contents of the video.  School officials have started 
an investigation and the matter is being taken very seriously.  We are trying to determine when the video was 
made, where it was filmed, why the students would engage in such conduct, and how the clip ended up on 
social media.   
Initial information suggests that the students may have actually been saying a different phase, something 
similar to “surgeon cuff.”  The video was then possibly uploaded into an app that plays it backwards, 
producing an entirely different sounding phrase.  In this case, a very derogatory, offense racial slur.  Our IT 
department is working to confirm this. 
School officials are in the process of making contact with the students involved and their families.  Those 
contacted have already expressed regret and are extremely apologetic for what has happened. 
We recognize many of our students could be affected by the video.  Officials met with counselors and staff at 
the school this morning, as well as our 45-member student Hope Squad.  The purpose is to provide resources 
to students who may be upset and emotional affected by the video. 
Weber High School has almost 2,000 students and the actions of a few students certainly do not reflect the 
values and standards of the rest of the school.  Racism, whether intention or not, has no place in our schools 
or society.  The Weber School District promises this incident will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate 
action will be taken against any student who violates our code of conduct.  We also wish to remind everyone 
that these are kids, and sometimes kids do really stupid things without thinking.  Certainly, there are no 
excuses for this type of behavior, but they are still children in a sense and hopefully this will be a learning 
experience for them and others.  
This situation also serves as a good reminder to students and parents on the potential consequences of 
videoing inappropriate and insensitive conduct, and then sharing it on social media.  Once released, the 
effects can be far-reaching. 
More information will be released after the investigation is complete.  No timeframe has been determined on 
when that may be. 
### 
5320 Adams Avenue Parkway
Ogden, Utah 84405-6913
Phone: (801) 476-7821
Fax: (801) 476-7893