Drenched in the time-old decontamination fixture of an ecstatic chemistry classroom, a light blue plastic tub jumpstarts the introduction to finals week and the scent of summer for a third period sophomore chemistry class.
As the bell rang for class, students gifted advanced chemistry teacher Eleazar Jude Delos Santos a flag with a photo of himself and his students, along with sweet treats.
“We printed out a periodic table on one of those flags with our faces on it and were planning on bringing baked goods because [Santos] is our favorite teacher,” sophomore Skylar Gardner. “Our entire class would say he is our favorite teacher. He’s really chill and I think we’re his favorite class as well.”
For his final A day in Santos’ class, sophomore Charles Palm Forty-five minutes later was given permission to set off the classroom safety shower if he refrained from bothering Santos for 45 minutes.
Sophomore Charles Palm: “It was something I’ve been plotting the entire year because you always see the videos on TikTok and stuff of people doing the same. [Sophomore] Benjamin Abrons said ‘you should do it’ and I did it. I had to be quiet for 45 minutes so Mr. EJ would give me permission. I probably wouldn’t do this again.”
Gardner: “Nobody thought he was actually going to do it. His dad dropped off a kiddie pool for the sake of science and he did it. We were elated. It was awesome because it had already been a pretty fun day. We had a lot of sugar, like a whole pack of Oreos and some brookies. It was really funny to watch because he was plotting this right next to my friends and I, it was really great.”
Sophomore Augustus Garcia: “Just wow. The force that came out, it was insane. I’ve never seen it come out that quickly. Charles [Palm] was covered immediately. He couldn’t handle it, the water got all over him. It was a huge load of water from the shower.”
Sophomore Katelyn Kerin: “We thought he was bluffing, but then he walked to the office, got the tub and walked into the room with his blue kiddie pool. Mr. EJ told him to wait 45 minutes and then he pulled it. It was great. I’d never do that myself because I think the water is probably disgusting and freezing, but I’m really glad I got to see Charles [Palm] do it.”
Sophomore Addison Ovalle: “Charles [Palm] is an idiot. He walked in, dodged Mr. EJ, ducked the tub behind his desk and slid it underneath so he was preparing for like a minute. Mr. EJ told him to wait until the last day of school and then he changed his mind. He doesn’t have a change of shorts so he’s just going to be sopping wet all day.”
Sophomore Parnitha Chigilisetty: “We’re just unhinged. Mr. EJ really doesn’t care, he’s like a nonchalant type. He lets us do whatever we want as long as we don’t disrupt school policies. I’d never do that myself though. I would be scared that the water would be all brown. I’ve seen those videos, but I think it’s very brave, I respect it. I’d love to see someone pull it again, it was entertaining.”
Chemistry teacher Eleazar Jude Delos Santos: “Curiosity kills the cat. Students are overtly curious and they decide to do things like this. I was kind of expecting Charles to catch all of the water, but I was not expecting him to be fully showering in class. Use your curiosity in the appropriate time and places, not to cause any trouble. I do appreciate the periodic table, though.”
