Local “Daddy Warbucks” Faces High School Expulsion

The Sun Valley High School Senior may be expelled for an altercation with his "Annie" director.

A suburban Philadelphia school district may expel a senior who had played Daddy Warbucks in the school musical 'Annie' before he got into an altercation with the director and was suspended -- twice.
 
Sun Valley High School is holding an expulsion hearing for Sam Schmucker on Thursday night.
 
Family members say Schmucker had the lead role of Daddy Warbucks until three weeks ago. That's when they say he grabbed play director John Baxter by the shoulder after Baxter had raised his voice at an actress.

Baxter had been verbally abusive towards the students during play practice for weeks, Schmucker's aunt, Elizabeth McGlinchey told NBC10's Lu Ann Cahn.

Her nephew, she says, was only standing up for his friend and fellow castmates when he grabbed the director.
 
Schmucker was removed from the play and has served two 10-day suspensions. His family says he was wrong, but shouldn't be expelled.

"Now he can't go to prom or walk at graduation," McGlinchey said.

The teen, according to his lawyer Steven Shoecraft, is a well-respected student and member of his commmunity. He is Vice President of his class and the recipient of a Citizenship Award from his hometown of Aston.

Baxter says he's had nothing to do with the disciplinary decisions.
 
Penn-Delco School District Superintendent George Steinhoff declined comment.

 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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