Page Eight Designs

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Spotlight

Francis Howell High www.fhhstoday.com

d e k n i g n i et t

G senior Chaz Johnson

Sept. 22, 2010

Vol. 40 Issue 1

Students express themselves through body art senior Jake Ivory

senior Alannah Burnam

senior Ashley Caito

Back page

senior Case Munson

Alex Timpone: staff writer Behind every tattoo lies a story and sometimes that story can be more interesting than the design of the tattoo itself. “I got my first tattoo, symbol for scorpio, when I was 14,” senior Alannah Burnam said. Burnam was only 14 when she got her first tattoo. In order to get a tattoo under the age of 18, a parent must be present at the time of the tattooing. “My dad encouraged me to get a tattoo as long as I chose the design and colors wisely. I got another one when I was 16 on my ankle. My mom was upset she couldn’t be there for my first two but she was there for my third,” Burnam said. Parental consent is vital. Without the support of a parent or legal guardian, Missouri laws and regulations prevent anyone under the age of 18 to get a tattoo alone. “My parents only agreed to let me get the tattoo because it was something that had a lot of meaning.They actually got it for me for my birthday,” senior Jake Ivory said Tattoos are often a symbol of something or someone meaningful that has influenced a person’s

life.

“I kept trying to think of a memorial for my mom. Then, a cross with angel wings popped into my head. I drew out the design and put it right over my heart because that’s where my love for her is,” senior Chaz Johnson said. Religious symbols are a popular choice. “I have always been an advocate of body art and personal expression. I love being able to incorporate things like my religion into my designs,” Burnam said. Ivory has the Bible verse Matthew 8:10 tattooed as a reminder of his faith in Christ. “The verse I have hit me hard. It made me realize that I wanted to pursue a life for Christ. Every time I see it, it reminds me what I’m living for,” Ivory said. Matching tattoos between young couples have become a modern vow of commitment. “My new tattoo is my boyfriend's name "Nathan" on my hip. We both got each other's names as a commitment to each other,” senior Ashley Caito said. There are many skeptics of teens who permanently ink another

person’s name on their body, but Caito has no regrets. “I know we're not going to break up because we already decided to spend our lives together,” Caito said. People wonder if the pain and the potential risks that come along with getting inked are really worth it. “Yes (it hurt) toward my stomach but I do (want more),” senior Case Munson said about getting his tattoo. Underneath these seemingly innocent tattoos lies the potential for infections, allergic reactions, or even blood-borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or tetanus. “As long as you take good care of the tattoo and choose where you get your tattoo wisely, you should be fine,” Burnam said. Although a tattoo can range from a simple design to a detailed work of art, every story behind it remains personal. “My only advice is to get something you will look at and love for the next 60 years becuase you’re stuck with it,” Burnam said.

Five Tattoo Facts One: Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe holds the record for highest altitude tattoo, having been inked in 2008 at 45,000 feet. The tattoo was said to cost $150,000 dollars. Two: Until 2006, it was illegal to get a tattoo in Oklahoma. Three: The record for the longest tattoo session is 43 hours and 50 minutes Four: To celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday Mattel came out with the

new "Totally Stlylin' Barbie”, complete with a set of placeable tattoos, including lower back tattoo featuring the name Ken.

Five: Thomas Edison had five dots tattooed on his left forearm, similar to the dots on dice. Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?101-Tattoo-Facts&id=3715908 Photos by: Kaci Jolly


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