OREM — Geneva Elementary fifth-graders Corbin Scott and Nick Fowkes believed school officials infringed on their right to assembly and speech when Pokémon was banned four months ago.

They organized a petition drive and negotiated a settlement with the principal.

Utah County's three school districts, Alpine, Nebo and Provo, leave it up to principals to decide whether Pokémon cards will be allowed.

The two 11-year-old Orem boys enlisted the help of seven volunteers in gathering signatures from more than 310 students.

"Petitions aren't just handing out a piece of paper," Corbin said. "It's work, work, work."

Then they negotiated with principal Annette Verhaal.

"I'm always willing to look at a better way to do something," said Verhaal, who had banned the trading cards after pupils fought over them.

View Comments

Josef Wright, 11, one of the volunteers who helped in the petition campaign, wrote the plan that limits Pokémon trading to a specific area and to specific times.

Students who break the rules risk outlawing the cards. The rules outlaw stealing, fighting and other trouble-causing activities.

Violations will result in the cards being seized and held until the school term ends next month.

If an April 14 trial-day goes well, students will have two days in May to trade, Verhaal said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.