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No one who participated in this year’s Senior Streak at Berkeley High School will be punished because the school administration was unable to recognize anyone involved. 

Several administrators were present for Monday’s streak—and some even videotaped the event in an attempt to identify streakers—but no seniors were immediately caught and the video proved inconclusive. 

Dean Meg Matan, who is in charge of discipline for seniors, said the use of body paint, masks and other head coverings made it difficult to recognize individuals. In past years, many streakers ran without masks, but increased threats of disciplinary action—including suspension and exclusion from Friday’s graduation ceremony—led almost all of this year’s streakers to disguise their identities. 

“They hid their faces pretty well,” Berkeley High co-principal Mary Ann Valles said. “It was nearly impossible to figure out who each person was.” 

Seniors who did streak celebrated after learning that they had escaped punishment. 

“It serves them right,” one streaker said. “They shouldn’t have been threatening to punish us anyway.” 

“I’m glad I didn’t get caught,” another added. “I didn’t tell my parents that I did it, and I don’t think they would have been very happy if I had gotten suspended.” 

The number of streakers this year decreased significantly from past years. Streak organizers said they tried to allay fears by encouraging the use of masks and body paint, but conceded that the administration most likely convinced some students not to run. 

“[Co-principal Laura] Leventer probably scared off a few,” one streaker said. “I think we ended up getting about 25 or 30 people less than last year.” 

Valles and Leventer are both leaving after this year, and so policy regarding streaking could change before next spring. Dean Matan said she’d like to see community service replace suspension as the primary consequence for such pranks.