Headlines ranged from cancellation of prom for students, to a sophomore choir singer chosen to perform on the Ellen DeGeneres show, and principals at the high school taking on new roles in the administration.
GENESEE TWP, MI — There’s no other day quite like April 1 to figure out how many people read beyond the headline.
Writers at The Eclipse , a student news site at Kearsley High School, tested their readership throughout Saturday after posting a series of stories that sounded like that could potentially be based in reality.
Headlines ranged from cancellation of prom for students, to a sophomore choir singer chosen to perform on the Ellen DeGeneres show, and principals at the high school taking on new roles in the administration.
Many of the stories were shared multiple times on Facebook, with comments by readers asking „Is this an April Fools Joke? “ to other adding their own thoughts and opinions.
For those making in all the way through to the end of each story, a few italicized words let them in on the gag: “ Disclaimer — This story is made up and is completely fictitious. Don’t believe a word of it. April Fools! “
It’s not the first time the student publication has employed the tactic, with stories on April 1, 2016 discussing the retirement of superintendent Patti Yorks (not true) and new graduation requirement (also, not true).
