'Students still have a sense of humour': Grad prank puts Calgary high school up for sale, for $20M
Students at Western Canada High School pulled off an attention-grabbing graduation prank that saw their school listed on Kijiji — for $20 million.
The prank caught the eye of students and teachers, as well as grasping the attention of Reddit and Twitter users. By Wednesday afternoon, the online ad had been viewed more than 16,000 times.
It was pulled off by two Western students, Edvin Sinko and Sameena Siddiqui, who created the ad on the website Kijiji and put signs up, with the school’s phone number.
Sinko says they came up with the plan on Monday during a spare class.
“We wanted to do something harmless, something that wouldn't cause damage to the school, and we came up with the idea to put the school up for sale. My friend got some For Sale signs and I worked on the Kijiji ad. The teachers absolutely loved it and some of them even put in offers for the school," said Sinko.
"A lot of credit also goes to the administration at Western for understanding that this was a harmless prank and for allowing us to keep the signs and ad up for the entire school day. The teachers said they will definitely remember this one.”
Calgary Board of Education (CBE) said in a statement the prank was done in good fun.
"Our graduating Grade 12 students have had to work through some unique circumstances as they finished high school during a global pandemic. We want students to celebrate the end of the year in fun and safe ways that show respect for each other and our schools," it read.
"After a challenging year, it is refreshing to see that students still have a sense of humour."
CBE officials also added, the school isn't actually for sale.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.