Dad Says His Controversial Yearbook Prank Was Done out of Love
An Aliso Niguel High School yearbook advertisement was supposed to be a father's personal joke to his daughter, but it has some shaking their heads.
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A paid ad placed in Aliso Niguel High School's yearbook, The Legend, was supposed to be a graduation prank, but not everyone is laughing.
The $500 ad that appears on Page 439 of the book was placed by George Somogyi and directed at his daughter, Rianna, a 17-year-old senior, he said.
It depicts his daughter making funny faces and describes her as a "complete waste of valuable space." The end of the ad refers to a "Yiddish saying" that "loosely translates to 'Camel patties attract flies. Hummus attracts pita chips. You are the former.' "
Somogyi says it's not actually a Yiddish saying, "but just some nonsense" he typed out.
The ad was a prank that he thought was extremely obvious, he said.
"When you look at the line 'voted most likely to staple her eyelids closed' or the play on words 'bright as a 3-watt bulb,' it absolutely astounds me that people don’t think, 'Oh, wow, that’s funny. I see the joke,' " he continued. "It is so clearly not serious in its intent that you have to wonder about the motivations of those who try to cast it as the sadistic ramblings of an estranged father."
Not Everyone's Laughing
Principal Charles Salter said he had gotten several emails about the ad. "All I can say is this is a personal ad," Salter said. "I guess everybody has their opinion of what's appropriate and what's not appropriate. I can tell you that this isn't an estranged dad, someone who is out of contact with his children. All that stuff that people are saying, well there's always rumors, and people don't usually have the facts."
The motivation for the prank, Somogyi explained, is his and his daughter's "disdain for the sappy ads that many parents take out for their children each year."
"My daughter and I share a biting, sardonic sense of humor of the Monty Python variety. It is something that bonds us," he said. "And we spend time at the end of every school year laughing at the often sickly sweet yearbook ads parents write to their children."
A Special Bond
He said that far from being a mean-spirited act, the yearbook entry he wrote is affirmation of that bond, expressed through humor.
As to why Somogyi didn't add an "LOL" or "just kidding" at the end of the ad, he explained, "Because a handful of people are going to think this is real, and I thought that would be very funny. I had no idea it was going to be like this. But more important than any of this is that my daughter thinks it is funny. It wasn’t meant for anyone else. And if you are angry and bent out of shape about this ad, you walked right into being the butt of our joke. To those people I say, 'Thank you—you proved our point.' "
He does however, have some regrets: He wishes he had chosen different photos, as his daughter is a bit sensitive about pictures of herself and may have found them embarrassing.
Rianna agreed, to an extent.
"When I first saw the ad, all I saw was the pictures, and I thought, 'Oh, my God, I'm going to kill him.' But then I read the writing, and I just thought, 'OK, this is funny!' and I was OK with it," Rianna said.
Mom Is Not Happy
Her father also wishes that he had written, 'From your loving father,' at the end so that those who read it would know that this was a father's prank and not a mean-spirited prank from a classmate, as some readers have assumed.
Rianna's mother, Karin Somogyi, who had no idea about the ad until after it was distributed, said, "I feel horrible for all of the parents who put beautiful ads in for their own children. I kept thinking, 'Thank goodness it was on the last page, but then I saw the picture of the two students on the flip side. I realize that they couldn't just tear out that page if they didn't like it. I feel sorry for everyone who found it offensive."
The yearbook's editor and teacher, Lori Smith, was also surprised by the content of the ad and contacted Rianna before the yearbook was distributed for her approval.
"I was talking to some people, and they said, 'Yeah, if it had just said at the bottom, 'Just kidding, you're great. Love, Dad,' it would have been OK. I didn't see it before it was printed. I just saw it the night before we distributed it, and I thought the same thing everybody else was thinking: 'Holy cow,' " Smith said.
Then she called the ad company, as well as Rianna, and everybody was fine, she said.
"I talked to her and offered to not distribute the yearbook and publish stickers over the ad.
"She said, 'No, it's just the way my dad and I communicate,' " Smith said.
Just a Play on Words
As to those who are calling this emotional abuse, Rianna wants to nip that idea in the bud.
"You can't just pass those kind of judgments from this tiny little ad in the yearbook, when those people clearly don't know me or me dad," she said. "Anyone that doesn't recognize that this is a joke does not know my family."
Rianna's father said he doesn't really feel the need to defend himself.
“I am not even going to try and defend myself by stating how much I love my daughter. I could have been that banal in the yearbook ad,” he said.
But he is losing some sleep over the wrath that Smith is receiving.
"I heard that the yearbook teacher is getting a lot of heat over this. My younger daughter heard someone say she should be fired," Somoygi said. "This is totally outrageous. I never dealt with the yearbook teacher. I went straight to the yearbook company. This teacher did nothing to hurt anyone."
Rianna said that although the ad itself was not hurtful—albeit somewhat embarrassing—the reactions of those who tried to comfort her were.
"I'd much rather people join the joke and be making fun of me and how I look than to say those types of things. My dad and I are really close. He's one of my best friends."
Wendy Ferreira
1:01 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
After spending $120, it makes me think twice about buying next year's yearbook.
John Salamy
2:19 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr Somoygi and his two wonderful daughters for several years. After reading what he wrote about Rianna, I got the joke immediately.
Julie Flores
2:55 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sounds like these two have a great time and a great relationship. There's something to be said for not taking yourself too seriously!
Debbie L. Sklar
5:53 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Julie: They do seem to have a unique relationship, which is always great to hear these days.
Kaard Bombe
5:06 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
I've known Mr. Somoygi since my days in elementary school, and when I read the dedication it was like he was having a conversation with me - I completely got his humor and it made perfect sense coming from him. The outrage that has been generated is foolish, there should be no harm taken in this creative spin on the ridiculousness of some of the dedications. In fact, I think I might have to do something similar to my kids!
Debbie L. Sklar
9:59 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Kaard: You with kids? Better not let your mom read this.
Rianna Somogyi
10:53 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Kaard- Several people have told me how much you've stood up for me and my dad this past week. I can't thank you enough, it really means a lot...
George Somogyi
8:13 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Kaard, you are an amazing person from an amazing family. It warms my heart to hear Rianna's response to your comment. I know you will have a relationship with your children also that will stand out amoung the rest. Send me the yearbook dedication you write, just be prepared to hear all the criticisms from people (you don't care about) that don't understand why your relationship to your children is different from theirs..!
Paul Steinberg
5:47 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
I have known George Somogyi for 31 years, and his daughter since she was a baby. He is an amazingly dedicated and thoughtful parent, and his daughters are some of the strongest and most beautiful creatures to grace the planet. On father's day many will say "You're the world's greatest dad." Objectively speaking, I think Somogyi actually is.
Debbie L. Sklar
5:52 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Paul: Thanks for writing in. A lot of folks seem to be OK with the ad from what I've received in comments today.
Mike Proctor
7:52 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
That is funny as heck. Humor does not always fit everyones taste. Some people need to pull the board out of their rear end.
Debbie L. Sklar
10:00 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
MIke: The general consensus seems to be it is a great ad!
Jake King
5:22 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
This ad is a clever satire of the regurgitated sap that floods high school yearbooks. At the same time it manages to convey a message of love. This is ingenious. To the Somogyi family: hang in there!
Student
5:57 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I think the most disturbing aspect of this whole story has nothing to do with the prank the dad played on his daughter. What concerns me is that something can end up in the yearbook without being vetted by the yearbook advisor and the administration. How does that happen?
Mia Carla
6:20 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
It's abuse. He needs to keep the negative comments about his daughter and her peers to himself. Reflection on academia is suppose to be one of innocence.. he is taking that away from them all in the name of a joke. They should look back on their yearbook with happiness not be worried some idiot is calling them wastes of space even in humor. All the parents should ask him to pay 500 bucks to each student as a sorry for harassing them in the yearbook. Then he should be again taken to court and pay for a new year book. He should be embarrassed for trying to put the spotlight on himself and taking away from these kids HOW SELFISH!
Jeff Spicoli
8:54 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
i can't tell if you're trolling, or if you have no soul.
Mark
8:18 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
When my daughter brought home her yearbook and showed me this ad, I having the same sense of humor, new exactly what had transpired. Then she showed me Rianna's real senior photo, and what a beautiful young lady she was, it was more than obvious as to the dad's intentions.
This ad and all it's attention will create a memory for that family that will be laughed at and appreciated for generations. I can see Rianna showing this to her children someday as a lesson to not take yourself so seriously. "You think you've got it bad...look what my dad did to me!" Ha Ha
As for Lori Smith...I think she does an awesome job considering the size of the book, the difficulty getting in all the late sport photo entries, etc. with such a critical deadline. She should not suffer from this one bit in my opinion.
People really need to loosen up! You are not that important in the big picture of life. Go Somogyi family!
Laura Knighten
3:32 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Mark,
Your comment " 'You think you've got it bad...look what my dad did to me!' Ha Ha" made me literally laugh out loud! I have yet to see the ad in my own son's ANHS yearbook (I have a Junior there currently), but I am looking forward to it now. I totally get how the people that are up in arms about the whole thing "have played right into the butt of the joke"... thanks for the classic entertainment. This one will go down in ANHS history of "ways to stir the pot while sill having fun" along with the kids in chicken suits crashing the football game ;) (and I do know that family well!). I pity the school staff for having to bear the brunt of the chaos though. Hang in there and let's all keep smiling... :)
Colleen Verruto
9:43 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I don't understand why people even have to complain about this!! What a fun dad!! My question is what does his ad to HIS daughter have to do with you? If you don't like it ok sorry.. I hope this family will not lose any more sleep over this. I have two seniors that are graduating from ANHS today, let's enjoy them and I love how this dad has a good sense of humor and on the other hand is compassionate enough to stick up for the yearbook teacher! Hopefully I will see this family today so I can give them a hug!
George Somogyi
10:30 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Colleen, your hug would be very welcomed!! Your note brought tears to my eyes... One expects their friends to stick up for them during adverse times, as my friends have here. Of course, I pay them to be my friends, so I expect this. The check is in the mail John and Paul...
But to the people I don't know, your words are incredibly meaningful, and I can't express to you how much I appreciate you taking the time to write supportive words. This is especially true for my daughter. She commented that the only pain she felt through the process was from people who thought they were "supporting" her by calling her Dad abusive. That hurt her the most.
Thank you Mark. I did send Lori Smith a personal letter.
Thank you Jake and Mike and Julie. Your words mean a lot to me.
To Mia, I would love to debate you if you were able to state facts. I did not speak to anyone but my daughter. You said I insulted her and her peers. I said nothing to any peers. I did not call "them" a waste of space. As to your comment about me putting "the spotlight on himself and taking away from these kids ". I have no argument there. The 2011 ANHS yearbook is all about me...
Mark
12:09 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
How do those of us you don't know receive a "check in the mail?"
Laura Knighten
3:35 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
ROFL!! Love it!!
Arnie
10:46 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people are freaking out about this. Still, I am. To those making a big deal about it, demonstrate a real-life learning moment to your new graduate by MOVING ON and focusing on more important issues like college and future career. The kids will encounter situations like this their whole life. In a harmless situation such as this you either laugh or brush it aside.
...and going after the yearbook teacher is pathetic.
George Somogyi
1:41 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Arnie, you rock..! Excellent point
Erika Hancock
7:27 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
It's hilarious! I find it even funnier that someone thought this guy was serious. *snort* Sarcasm is a learned language, it seems.
George Somogyi
8:47 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Erika, you wouldn't believe how many people actually believed this was the workings of an estranged, angry father. The school psychologist tried to assess my daughter for "abuse". The HEALTH teacher in my younger daughter's class held up the book as an example of "bullying". Talk about "bullying"!!! My younger daughter only felt "bullied" at that point! Definitely part of the joke, besides having fun with humor I share with my daughter, was to watch the people that would take it seriously. Didn't Einstein say people's stupidity is infinite..?
vanessa
8:32 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
I'm still laughing at the ad. Dad u rock. Most parents r so stuck up there own butts they forget to laugh. Really people. There is a saying LIVE, LAUGH, and LOVE. Guess someone forgot the laugh part.
Len
9:18 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
As an administrator at a former uppity school, I get it. The entitled parents want a "perfect" lil white-washed yearbook and will contact board members and the superintendent to get it...I feel bad for the administrator and this may impact how they do business in the future. The point is the daughter was not hurt by this...she will have this great token of the relationship she has with her father...when she stands to speak at his funeral some day she will remember this and may payback come to mind. To those too school for cool parents...get over yourselves.
Jodi Barber
10:04 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
All that matters is the daughter knows her father loves her very much!!
Laura Knighten
10:07 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wasn't this great country of ours founded on the basic priniciples of freedom of expression and freedom of speech? Without casting any reproach upon the parents that like to publish the more mushy tributes (I happen to be one of them, LOL) I not only enjoy the variety but rejoice in the creativity! A little commom sense interpretation can go a very long way here people. An essential component to having fun, at any time, is being able to relax. Those that are wound so tight that they cannot enjoy a little levity are doing just what Len suggested; trying to create "perfection". To err is human, to forgive is divine - and to have the grace to laugh at oneself is healthy. Is it any wonder Americans have one of the highest rates of cardiac disease in the world? Kudos to the Somogyi's for interjecting not only a little fun, but an obvious and intriguing need for evaluation of some of our societal "norms" about HOW to have fun!
George Somogyi
11:28 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Laura, I worship you...
Jodi Barber
10:24 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Do to the fact that many don't know the father or daughter personally, it's not surprising in today's society to question the fathers motive. It's a crazy world, with crazy people we live in. Especially the students who read it and don't know them! They were probably shocked and I don't blame them! His daughter shouldn't take their comments about her dad personally. When I first read it, I also couldn't believe what I just read! It was only after hearing what their relationship is like, that I was able to laugh it off!
Colleen Verruto
10:04 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
looking forward to your ad next year George! Dont let opinionated people hold you back! hey that could be your first line haha..
Yas
1:06 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
This is hilarious! I'm from the class of 09 and spent a year on the yearbook staff. If I saw an ad like this I would be laughing and automatically assume that others would do the same, Im sure that was the person who was putting it togethers reaction as well, not even taking into account that some up tight person would think its legitimate. I hope there is an ad like this every year! There needs to be something to lighten the mood of the mushy ooey gooeyness of senior ads! WELL DONE!