Oak Grove Pep Rally Video Controversy

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Overview

The Oak Grove Pep Rally Video Controversy refers to an October 2023 controversy regarding a viral video that was taken at a high school pep rally at Oak Grove High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (NC) in which there was a BDSM and drag performance. The "Oak Grove Pep Rally" video was taken on Snapchat but later leaked on Twitter / X where it was amplified by the account Libs of TikTok. In turn, viral discourse and outrage ensued about the pep rally, resulting in a statement from the school and its principal.

Background

On October 7th, 2023, a currently unknown Facebook user posted a screen recording of a Snapchat story taken at Oak Grove High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The video was made private or deleted by the original uploader, evident in a quote of the original video by Facebook^[1] by user Amber Brendle Williard on October 7th. Facebook^[2] user Amber Brendle Williard then reposted the full video on the morning of October 8th (shown below). In the same hour, Facebook^[3] user Nikki Reed also reposted the video.

The video soon spread to Twitter / X, evident in a post shared by X^[4] user @ladykennington on October 8th, 2023, which received roughly 135,100 views and 380 likes in one day. On October 9th, the video was amplified by the X^[5] account Libs of TikTok, gaining roughly 2.4 million views and 13,800 likes in four days (shown below).

Two individuals perform a themed show in BDSM gear in front of students at @OakGroveHS. The event also included a drag queen twerking for students. pic.twitter.com/CV2dzgpz8y

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 9, 2023

Online Reaction

The video quickly inspired outrage among viewers and followers of Libs of TikTok, evident in a reply posted by X^[6] user @LarryDJonesJr on October 9th, 2023, which read, "We never had hot shows like that when I was in school. Wait, that's because it was illegal," gaining roughly 2,100 likes in four days (shown below).

Developments

Oak Grove Principal Responds To Pep Rally Video

On October 8th, 2023, a video was posted by the Facebook^[7] page Concerned Parents of Davidson County NC (shown below) that was a recording of a batch voicemail sent to every parent at Oak Grove High School of the school's principal Stefanie Stroud condemning the actions of the pep rally and apologizing for it. Among many statements, Stroud stated that she was "Disgusted, appalled, upset, embarrassed, and disappointed…"

The video was quickly reposted to X^[8] on October 8th, 2023. The voicemail was also included in a news article published by WFMY News 2^[9] on October 11th.