I graduated high school about 3 years ago now, and I know a lot of "good" kids did similar things. I wonder if it may have something to do with looking "cool" or being "accepted". There is a lot of peer pressure around so maybe some of their friends were testing their other friend to see if they had "guts".

Also I wonder if it could have something do with the pressure of schools these days. I know when I was in high school it was pretty much life or death to be a A+ student, be really high in class rank, and get into only the best colleges. Even though they may have a good grade standing sometimes the pressure of their lives in general drive them to make poor decisions.

By all means I don't think any of those are good excuses or anything or they should be let off the hook. Just my observations!