In an attempt to copy the TV show Gossip Girl, Gunn students have started “Gunn Gossip,” a Facebook group geared towards spreading gossip about others. The group is based on the concept that students provide gossip to an anonymous source, who, in turn, passes the information on to group members via Facebook messages.

Upon learning about the existence of the Facebook group, students had mixed reactions. “I was just shocked,” senior Maggie Goulder said. “I had no idea what to do and I didn’t know what people would think.” While some were surprised, others were disappointed. “It’s a feeble attempt at creating drama in our grade-oriented high school,” senior Yana Vashchenko said.

The group is run by Shawn Craig, a fake person listed as a freshman in the Gunn network. The group is private and users must be invited or request an invitation to join.

A similar group called “Gossy Gangsta” popped up on Palo Alto High School’s (Paly) Facebook network last year. It was run by several people, who created a Facebook account with the same name as the group instead of using a fake name. “There were at least one or two seniors last year that made a Facebook group that basically covered all the gossip-y events at Paly using initials instead of real names,” senior Phil Martin said. “I heard there was some controversy with administration regarding the site, and it may have gotten removed by Facebook admin, but I’m not entirely sure.”

Contrary to popular belief, the administration does not have direct access to Facebook but can interfere under several circumstances. “The school can get involved if stuff like that is done from a school computer and if it negatively influences a student’s experience at Gunn, whether it’s academically or socially,” Assistant Principal Phil Winston said. The administration needs first-hand information in to take affirmative action. “I got an anonymous e-mail [about the group] and I said ‘it sounds legitimate, it sounds concerning, people are spreading rumors about people’s sexual habits, about their experiences, and that’s not cool,” Winston said. “I said, ‘give us first hand information’, and nobody came forward.”

“Gunn Gossip” has been short-lived—although Shawn Craig made three posts the day the group was created, he hasn’t said a word since.

Although the show Gossip Girl has gained popularity since its release, students agree that there is a fine line between reality and television.