Hello again, Titans!

This week we have another installment of Voices of Tuscarora, and we’re going to be talking about Tattoos and Students. How do the students feel about them and why? Tattoos are decisions that you make and live with for the rest of your life unless you decide to get it removed – tacking on another expense to the original bill. The question is often asked: what should you get a tattoo for? Should it hold a special meaning, or should you just get one on the fly. We’re going to learn just how the students at Tuscarora High School feel about this topic.

As I was going around asking students how they felt about this topic the majority of the students held steadfast in their belief that students should be allowed to have tattoos. There were very few people who felt that students should not be allowed and those that did did not feel comfortable in giving their opinion on the topic outside of a simple no. However, I am not judging or criticising them, I support them in their beliefs and believe that each person is entitled to his/her own opinion. Some of the students that I did ask, though, did give a lengthy response as to why they felt the way they did. We will explore some of those down below.

Hannah Mueller – Senior

“I do not have any tattoos, but I draw on myself incessantly, so you could say I basically have them. I do feel that students should be allowed to have tattoos because it is a form of artistic expression and, should they choose that medium, they should not be steered away from it.”

Hannah Chaney – Junior

“I do feel that students should be allowed to have tattoos. If you think about it, they’re kind of like piercings, but not really. Not really in the sense that piercings are not permanent, but similar in the sense that they are both forms of body modification with tattoos lasting your whole life.”

Tyler Pappas – Sophomore

“I feel that students should be allowed to have tattoos. While the freshman and members of my own grade are not adults, the juniors and seniors are. Not to mention the teachers are quick to remind us we’re all young adults. So, my thinking, is if we’re young adults and we’re almost old enough, or, in some cases, old enough to drive then we should be allowed to tatt up. Just make it a smart decision and put some meaning behind the tattoo.”

Mia Egerman – Senior

“I feel rather strongly about this topic because I have tattoos. I think that it’s appropriate for students to have tattoos and it should be allowed. I have one of my uncle and that has meaning, I think that should be allowed – even if a tattoo didn’t have meaning behind it it should be allowed. I don’t think that you have to have a concrete meaning behind a tattoo. For example, you could get a pumpkin on your arm because you like Halloween – go for it. I think advising on tattoos is okay, but don’t force your ideas on anyone, y’know? Ultimately, it is the person’s choice as to whether they get it or not and what they would like.”

There you have it, Titans. The students have spoke their minds and we have listened and reported it to you. The object of the Voices of Tuscarora series is to get the opinions of students on obscure and, somewhat, controversial topics to show that students have a head on their shoulders and tell the rest of the world how we feel. Just because someone is in High School doesn’t mean they should be silenced. As the teachers are quick to remind us, we are the leaders of tomorrow.