'Angelic Yields' emerge in response to 'devious licks' trend

by Kate Hedrick, Opinion Editor

& Grace Savage, Staff Writer

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

Soap dispensers have been missing in bathrooms nationwide due to Devious Licks trend. Photo credit: Unsplash.com.

The "devious licks" trend, where students steal things from their schools, has resulted in large amounts of property damage, theft, and unnecessary trouble all in the name of Tiktok fame. Recently, a new trend has risen up to combat the damage that devious licks have caused. This trend is known as ‘angelic yields’, and it entails students returning stolen property to their schools. It is perceived as the more positive (and certainly more legal) alternative to devious licks, although whether this is true is unclear.

When asked for his opinion on the so-called angelic yields, Alex Yabroff (10) said, “I think that people when they do angelic yields they don’t actually leave the stuff there they just take it right after the video.” He states the problem with not knowing if the person filming is doing it for good or for views.

Madison Sheard (10) feels similarly skeptical. “I believe that the entirety of the yields trend is just very dumb. I think that the angelic yields is nice, but I think that if you’re doing a devious lick and then replacing it then that’s kind of dumb.” She points out the fact that once the cameras are off, you could just take the item back. She finishes with a reasonable statement, “It can also be kind of intrusive to the school because you’re putting things there that don’t need to be there and also the school might not want it there, so I really don’t get the point.” Schools have specific brands they buy from, so there wouldn’t be a good reason to have two different things in one place.

Others are rather uninformed on the angelic yields. Ace Remle (10) had this to say: “I haven’t heard much about it, but I think it’s a better thing than the lick challenge.” Students who are uninformed of this new trend might be confused when entering the bathroom, wondering why there are off-brand soap dispensers poorly installed.

Lina Elmajdoubi (9) had a more optimistic take on the trend. “Well, when the devious licks trend started, I didn’t really like it, the fact that people were stealing stuff from the bathrooms, but now that they’re giving things back, I think it’s very nice.” On a brighter note, those who actually leave nice things are doing a great deed. People who steal from schools damage the budget, but others who give back are doing the school a favor. Lina continues, “It takes great courage to give back the things that you’ve stolen.” And it’s a very smart idea for those who participated in the ‘Devious Licks’ trend.

Unlike the popular ‘Devious Licks’ trend, teachers’ minds have completely changed. Mrs. Lawrence, one of Bradley’s French teachers, says, “I think if it encourages people to do a good thing then it’s a much better thing than our last TikTok trend.” Users on TikTok are making great progress with their newest trends, most of them just want to do something nice for once. She says, “Anything that encourages people to do good can’t be that bad.” Once you see a video on TikTok with millions of likes, you’ll want to mimic it.

Although TikTok will never stop starting problematic challenges, trends will still become huge, dangerous issues, but there will always be users trying to get on the brighter side of the app.