By ALEXIS ZOTOS
6 News Reporter
BEAN STATION (WATE) - The all-girls Christian social club 7 and 6 holds an annual initiation ceremony where the pledges are forced to eat gross food and are doused with things like ketchup and oatmeal. It's supposed to be light-hearted and fun, but this year it turned violent when one pledge was allegedly singled out.
Amber Sizemore, 14, was excited for the annual event, held this year on May 17th at a lake house in Bean Station. But she says things went wrong when she accidentally got ketchup on one of the older girls.
"She freaked out and really singled me out," said Amber. "We had red solo cups filled with gross stuff and every girl got a spoonful but me. I got the entire cup poured in my mouth."
Amber's mom, Caroline Sizemore, said she let her go because the girls were a good group. "They spent the whole year together. It was supposed to be fun, it's not supposed to be abusive," she said.
This year, another club joined in on the ritual and Amber says the girl who singled her out wasn't a member of 7 and 6.
"The girl singles me out, and smacks petroleum jelly on my head and face. She smashed an egg on me and I mean she reared back and smashed it on me. She took a gallon of vinegar and poured it on my face, not my head, my face and didn't stop," Amber said.
The Sizemores reported the attack to police.
"There has been one charge placed against one individual," said Bean Station Police Chief Phillip Robinette.
Police say they issued a warrant for Tyler Barnard, 18, for misdemeanor assault. Chief Robinette says it's a misdemeanor because there was no serious injury.
The chief says hazing has been going on for years, but this time it went too far. "It's alright to have good clean fun, but when you start injuring people then it's getting out of hand," he said.
Amber says despite the incident, she plans to stay in the club. "I debated quitting the club when it was done, but I decided to stay because next year when they do the hazing, I'm going to be the one in the crowd who, if someone is done like me, I'm going to say that's enough," she said.
Her mom understands the tradition, but hopes taking legal action will ensure it doesn't ever go this far again.
"This is what they do every year and this is just the way it is and I understand this is the way it is, to throw mud and throw ketchup and roll around in the dirt, but to go as far as being assaulted that's not what you do every year," said Caroline.
The girls in 7 and 6 attend Morristown East, but the club is not affiliated with the school. Morristown East has a strict no hazing policy.
Chief Robinette says the alleged attacker could face up to a year in jail, but that it's unlikely.
The Sizemores say they simply hope this incident will be a lesson for everyone. "You just can't treat people this way," said Amber. "You have to take responsibility for your actions."
