A high school principal in California resigned from his position after a video of him dancing provocatively with the school mascot went viral at a pep rally. Robert Nunes of Buhach Colony High School in Atwater stepped down from his role and accepted a demotion to associate principal as part of the Merced Union High School District’s efforts to maintain a safe and respectful environment. Torrin Johnson served as Interim Principal during Nunes’ administrative leave and will continue in the role until a permanent replacement is found.
Nunes was put on leave on Aug. 19 while the district investigated his behavior in the viral video. The footage showed him dancing with the school’s Viking mascot to the song “Pony” by Ginuwine. The dance routine took a strange turn when Nunes fired gold confetti at the mascot and appeared to touch the character inappropriately. Despite his attempt to keep the incident lighthearted with the phrase “What happens at Buhach stays at Buhach,” the video spread online and drew criticism from some who questioned the appropriateness of his actions.
While some individuals found Nunes’ behavior questionable, others defended him, saying that the students enjoyed the pep rally and saw it as entertaining. An anonymous parent interviewed by ABC30 expressed disagreement with the extensive investigation into Nunes, believing that the school community was placing too much blame on him. Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Nunes faced consequences for his actions as the school district took corrective measures with all staff involved in the incident.
Following his resignation from the principal position, Nunes will now serve as associate principal at the high school. The Merced Union High School District confirmed that corrective action had been taken in response to the incident, emphasizing their commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for students and staff. Torrin Johnson will continue as Interim Principal until a permanent replacement is hired in spring 2025. The district aims to maintain stability in the school’s leadership as they navigate the aftermath of Nunes’ resignation.
The video of Nunes dancing with the mascot during the pep rally led to widespread criticism and prompted an investigation by the school district. The principal was seen rolling toward the mascot in an office chair, engaging in provocative dance moves, and firing confetti at the character. Despite attempting to maintain a lighthearted tone with his statement about confidentiality, the clip went viral, leading to Nunes’ administrative leave and subsequent resignation from the principal position. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of professional conduct and appropriate behavior in educational settings to ensure a positive and safe environment for students and staff.
While the dance routine at the pep rally was intended as a fun and entertaining event for students, the controversy surrounding Nunes’ behavior raised questions about the appropriateness of his actions. Some individuals defended him, arguing that the incident was blown out of proportion and that the students enjoyed the event. However, the school district took the incident seriously and enforced corrective measures to address the situation. Nunes’ resignation and demotion to associate principal reflect the district’s commitment to upholding standards of conduct and professionalism in educational leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all members of the school community.
