By Michael Otterman
"We are being bombarded," said Lindsay Estes, 15, a Mepham sophomore. "Channel 12, NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox -- they're here every day. It's been getting worse, and we're getting fed up."
Since three varsity football players were recently accused of sodomizing three junior-varsity players with a broomstick, golf balls and pine cones at a Pennsylvania training camp in August, life at Mepham High School has become unbearable, according to students and faculty members.
"Students can't leave the building without someone shoving a microphone in their face," said Kate Collins, the Bellmore-Merrick School District spokeswoman. "There's nothing we can do about it. The students are becoming very upset."
Mepham students said the unwanted attention has hurt them both inside and outside the classroom."All of our classes have been affected," said Keri Dowd, 17, a senior. "We haven't been able to learn as well." The media presence dominates classroom discussion, she said, adding, "Many kids just can't concentrate."
The barrage of reporters has also affected life outside class, students said. "Some reporters have been nice, but others have been following us," said Amy Crowley, 15, a sophomore.
"They follow us to the pizza place," added senior Nicole Wickline, 17, referring to Luigi's Pizza, a Mepham hangout. "I was even approached at 7-Eleven" by a reporter.
When sophomore Noelle Gruber, 15, refused to answer questions regarding the alleged sodomy, she said a journalist called her a "dirt bag" under his breath.
According to students and area residents, some people have expressed their outrage at the media by hurling water balloons and eggs at journalists and camera crews that set up opposite the school. One woman, who lives on Croyden Drive, said she saw a furious parent throw a full cup of coffee at a Channel 12 reporter. "The whole situation is disgusting," said the woman, who asked that her name be withheld. "It's a real circus."
Many believe that the daily television and newspaper coverage of Mepham has tarnished the school's image. "There are no good stories about Mepham," said Kaitlyn Paccioni, 17, a senior. "People give me dirty looks when I wear my Mepham sweatshirt now."
"We actually had a good reputation before all this," said Estes.
Concerned by the impact of the media coverage, Richard Wilgenkamp said he drove 120 miles last week from his home in Allentown, Pa., to Bellmore to support his embattled alma mater. Wilgenkamp graduated from Mepham in 1958 and now runs the Mepham Alumni Association.
As classes let out last Friday, Wilgenkamp stood outside the school holding a cardboard sign that read, "Mepham Pride is Alive; Be Proud of Your School." He plans to distribute buttons reading "Mepham Pride" to students and faculty. If the school board refuses to fund the effort, he will pay for the buttons himself, he said.
"Right now, Mepham has been made out to look like a sewer," Wilgenkamp said. "The media is only showing one side. It's about time people see the other side."
All the media attention has hurt morale at the school, said Collins, the district spokeswoman. "The school needs to heal, but it can't with the all the media here. We need to get on with the healing."
