Park Tattoos

Tattoos used to only be for exclusive people, but not anymore. Today we see kids all over school with permanent art on their bodies. Every tattoo has its own story and here are just a few of them.

            Kim Juenemann, a ‘08 Park graduate, said hers was “a spur of the moment kind of thing. It’s lyrics from an awesome band and it reminds me of the summer I met my boyfriend.” Her back says ‘live love burn die’ in really sweet lettering. Albert Janssen, her boyfriend, got the same lyrics on his wrists. He planned on getting his for years because “the lyrics of that band mean a lot to me and my beliefs in life.” They both said their tattoos would mean the same thing in 20 years, and they were both at least 18 at the time. Some students, however, got theirs at a younger age.

            Katrina Holmstrom, a Park sophomore, has a small tattoo of a star on her hip. She said “My father was fine with it, my mother, not so much.” (Actually, our mom was furious when she found out.) Katrina was 14 at the time. She said her tattoo is “a reflection of a time in my life that has really impacted me and changed me, and helped me grow.”

            Ashley Cramsie’s tattoo is one of my favorites. It’s the word ‘pumpkin’ across her back. “My grandpa used to call me pumpkin and it’s in graffiti letters to make it me. And it’s colored rainbow for gay pride,” she explained. Ashley had wanted this tattoo for about 3 years and finally got it 2 months before she turned 18.

            Everyone I interviewed about their tattoos said that they did not regret them and it was worth it. “It’s something you can’t lose, and you can’t forget,” as Katrina puts it.