I just want to say I go to school there, and our school is outraged by this. This is a terrible representation of our school. For those who make a quick judgment about our school, don't. These racist students are facing consequences.

I have written the below letter requesting a call to action by Palmetto High School Administration. As an alumna (Class of 1994) where I was Senior Class President, my fellow alums and I are downright outraged by the lack of action from the school! I have emailed this letter to Principal Dobbs, to the office of Superintendent Carvalho, posted on the Miami Palmetto Senior High Alumni Facebook page, as well as other media outlets. We cannot allow this ignorance and violent rhetoric to go unpunished.
I am encouraging my fellow almuna to request the same of our alma mater.

"November 4, 2015
Principal Victoria Dobbs
Administration, Miami Palmetto Senior High School
7460 SW 118 Street
Miami, FL 33156
Dear Principal Dobbs and Administrative Staff of Miami Palmetto Senior High School,
My name is Yovanna Madhere (formerly Farley), and I am a proud alumna of the class of 1994, which I also served as Senior Class President. I speak on behalf of many members of the class of ’94 as well as other alumni in registering our disgust with the recent racist and violent comments on social media by members of Palmetto’s Lacrosse team. The harm is exacerbated, and we are further disappointed, by the lax attitude and inferior level reprimand demonstrated by the Palmetto High School Administration, as characterized by coverage in The Miami Herald.
As stakeholders who care deeply about the culture and standing of our alma mater but who are, in many cases, now far removed from the institution, we see a lack of concrete consequences for appalling behavior unbefitting student athletes and indeed, members of the Palmetto community. What message does your lack of courage to appropriately address this behavior send to all of your students –in particular those of color? It gives rise to the perception that they are “n*****s to be killed” by their fellow Panthers during a senior prank and that their presence is trivial and unworthy of protection. Are some Panthers more equal than others?
As an Afro-Latina who holds a degree in Social Work and as the mother of two teenagers, I expect much more from an award-winning high school, distinguished in every realm of curricular and extra-curricular achievement, and held in such high regard across Miami-Dade County. My fellow graduates from the mid-90’s, many of whom I am still friends with today, are a diverse and accomplished group (holding high political office, celebrated as entertainers and artists, and contributing to the various professions). We remember Palmetto as a place of inclusion and celebration of our diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, where departures from these clearly articulated ideals were strongly dealt with and not tacitly allowed.
I understand if the school feels that an emphasis on punishment is the wrong one for a pedagogical institution. However, in that case, we alumni and other stakeholders need to hear much more about what measures are being taken by the school to redress this shocking breach of the norms of community. We would like for the 8 students to formally apologize to the Palmetto student body (particularly those of color) via all social media platforms, as their threats besmirches the Palmetto name. We also call for a 2 game Lacrosse suspension of the young men involved. We believe that these athletes should understand the severity of their behavior and experience similar penalties as the professional athletes they look up to. There is both a substantive problem and a problem of optics. Readers of the city’s newspaper of record should not be left with the impression that the school lets such an affront slide. I write this letter to underscore that your actions (or lack thereof) are not going unnoticed.
Please live up to the Palmetto Panther spirit by setting the right example and doing the right thing!
Very Sincerely,
Yovanna L. (Farley) Madhere'

Mrs. Madhere', thank you for taking action and for sharing your letter. I agree with all of your points.

To Palmetto Senior High, School Board, and Community:
I too am a graduate of Palmetto class of 1985 and currently have a son and many of my former classmates also have kids who attend this culture diverse school in one of the most politically backed communities here in Dade County. I spoke to the principal and do agree with the letter very well written by Mrs. Madhere. I'm currently in law enforcement and I don't think the reactions of the school and school board are swift enough and informing to the student body, and community at large. I agree there definitely needs to be a suspension for most of these kids involved in the group chat and I emphasize "most" not necessarily all. What I do see there needs to be for sure some sensitivity training for the group/student body at large and this need to be ongoing. D

My concern is the lack of damage control and swift informing the community at large now invites the students who are in fear for their safety to now take matters into their own hands by bringing other weapons onto school ground which effects everyone. Seeing the effects of how we deal with situations within the communities we have found that constant communication and swift actions will keep a calming effect during such a potential time.