Senior Blake Milliser’s tattoo reminds himself that though his friends died young, they will always be remembered.
By Emmelyn Brandt
Tattoos have been an art of self expression, but also an art to remember the lost. Many high school students have chosen to get such a permanent marking in memory of a loved one.
High school can be a rare place to see tattoos because most students are not old enough to sign a release form that goes along with getting a tattoo. They must confront their parents with this decision that they want to make something permanent on their body. Senior Blake Milliser said, “My parents were all for it. They have nothing against tattoos.” Other students that have tattoos also said their parents were a little shaky at first, but then gave into the decision because of the meanings the tattoos held.
Senior Brayden Davis’s cross on his arm commemorates the loss of his uncle.
Tattoos are symbols students have to represent the passing of someone that was important in their life. Senior Michael Hartman said, “My tattoo is for my grandmother who passed away two years ago from cancer.” He has the memory of her with him forever. Another senior Brayden Davis said, “My tattoo is a cross for my uncle who passed away.” Seniors are not the only ones with tattoos; junior Danica Lueth has a tattoo on her shoulder blade in memory of her cousin who died. There are also some students who have more than one tattoo. Milliser sports two tattoos in memory of his good friends who passed away a little over a year ago. “I have two tattoos. One on my inner arm that says, ‘The good die young, but the great will always last.’ I got this tattoo for my friends who were killed in an accident at a young age. I also have another on my pectoral and it is two arrows crossing and it stands for the coming together of friends and I have my two friends initials above it,” said Milliser. Another senior Jose Baca, has multiple tattoos. One of three is a cross on his arm to represent the people in his family that have died.
These tattoos are very significant to the students that have them. As time progresses people may change their views of their tattoos and perhaps not want them anymore Lueth said, “Of course, my tattoo helps me remember my cousin and I would not [change] that for the world.” Also Davis said, “I will love my tattoo, because of the meaning it has behind it.” The high schoolers with these sentimental markings have a constant reminder of the loved ones they lost.