Pranksters Released Cloud Of Crickets

Two high school seniors who released 3,000 crickets as a prank during an end-of-the-year assembly were banned from their high school graduation ceremony.

Ben Maxstadt, 18, and Jesse Slater, 17, set the green chirpers free during a “moving up” ceremony June 9, clearing the Ravena-CoeymansSelkirk High School gym and sending some of the 600 students leaving in tears.

The pair received their diplomas, but were suspended and had to sit out Friday’s graduation. They also face charges of disorderly conduct.