Swastika, Genitalia Drawing In Snow Condemned As 'Hateful Act'

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Authorities are investigating a situation at Howard High School that the principal condemned as a "hateful act" which "will not be tolerated." The issue is a drawing in the snow that was found on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

"When staff returned to school this morning, we discovered that a large swastika and penis had been drawn in the snow on the field hockey field," Howard High School Principal Nick Novak said in a statement emailed Tuesday to families.

"We contacted our grounds department to have it removed and have reported the incident to the Howard County Police Department," he wrote.

According to Novak, the "disturbing incident" happened sometime over the weekend. School had been closed on Monday, Jan 14, after parts of Howard County received upwards of a foot of snow.

Whenever the act occurred, the principal said that the school was not going to accept it.

"This hateful act goes against the values we share at Howard High School and will not be tolerated," Novak said. "All acts of hateful language are taken seriously and please know that this will be fully investigated in cooperation with the HCPD and the HCPSS Office of Safety & Security."

Administrators addressed the school Tuesday afternoon, encouraging students to come forward with potential suspect information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the principal or staff.

File photo a Howard County police cruiser in front of Howard High School by Elizabeth Janney.