It’s no easy decision when deciding to place something on your body for the rest of your life. For some people, there’s a specific reason for tattooing something on you, but for others, it could simply be because they liked the design or idea. Story or no story, tattoos are permanent to the body; therefore, they hold meaning to a person.
Common tattoos, such as butterflies, a cross, hearts, birds, etc, all have a certain degree of meaning. It could be something personal or what the specific image symbolizes. For example, a butterfly is considered to represent transformation and freedom. A cross mainly represents faith or sacrifice.
It’s important to understand the symbolism of something so permanent on your body. Tattoos are cool to look at, but oftentimes, hold a lot of significance. Teachers and students at GHS embrace the style of tattoos and chose to share their personal reasons behind receiving their tattoo(s).
MR. BROOKE:
Mr. Brooke, tenth grade language arts teacher, currently has one tattoo. He received his lightning bolt tattoo on his arm in early 2019 after one of his childhood friends passed away. Brooke decided, as he was thinking about his old friend one day, to get his tattoo as remembrance to his friend. His last name was Schoch (pronounced shock), so there came the inspiration for the lightning bolt.
“I wanted something very minimal,” said Brooke, “and if I was gonna get a tattoo that’s the spot that I wanted to get it.”
Brooke is not the first member of his family to receive a tattoo. Multiple relatives and close family members have multiple tattoos including his father and mother. Brooke currently has no intention to place another tattoo on his body because he believes they should have meaning especially since they’re so permanent.
MR. GRANITO:
Mr. Grantio, GHS counselor, currently has a total of eight tattoos. Granito received his first tattoo when he was eighteen years old, but later covered it up with something more personal to him. His shoulder now holds a representation of his four children. From the sun to wings, the design resembles his children’s names and their meaning.
Granito holds another tattoo on his forearm that represents the important stages of his life. The beginning represents his childhood in different shades of blue because blue is his favorite color. The design continues to a red representing a time of struggle, but ends with another shade of blue where the numbers one and nine are woven in because he got the tattoo in 2019. Also in the tattoo, the letters ‘V’ and ‘B’ are engraved to show where he got it, Venice Beach, which is his favorite place in the world.
Granito holds multiple other tattoos with very personal meanings behind them. Another one of his tattoos helps him stay in the moment. He got the symbol as a reminder of the present.
“I got the symbol because I normally look in the past and the future instead of staying in the moment,” said Granito.
Many of Granito’s tattoos serve as reminders to him and things he needs to continuously remember. He chooses the personal side when receiving a tattoo because it will always be there to remind him.
MR. BOSTIC:
Mr. Bostic, an educational aid, currently has around thirty-five tattoos. Bostic received his first tattoo in high school after making a bet with his mom. After his grandma passed away when he was in high school, he received a cross as the beginning of his chest piece for his grandma. Once in college, he added wings and other pieces to his chest tattoo.
“I have a couple other ones for my family members like my mom, sister, and grandmas, but after that they get addicting,” Bostic said.
The main of Bostic’s tattoos are inspired by designs he thinks are fascinating and look cool. Many other members of his family also have tattoos including his mom, sister, and brother. Bostic enjoys the process and designs of tattoos which is why he is inspired to have so many.
VAN NUOSCE‘24:
Green High School senior, Van Nuosce, currently has two tattoos. In 2022, Nuosce received his first tattoo. He was inspired by things he likes to see and important changes in his life. For example, one of his tattoos represents parts of the great wave painting of traditional oceanic art and certain patterns he likes. Nuosce’s second tattoo, a cherry blossom tattoo, symbolizes a new chapter in his life.
“The deeper meaning is that it’s a new chapter in my life,” Nuosce said, “originally I wanted to enlist in the Marine Corps, but then I thought that’s not who I am.”
Nuosce’s second tattoo represents a change in his life where he ultimately decided to pursue a career in the Air Force. With his discovery, the rest of his family decided to also get cherry blossom tattoos as a sign of support. Nuosce’s tattoos show the aspects of significance and appeal to a person.
MEREDITH COLLINS ‘24:
Green High School Senior, Meredith Collins, currently has one tattoo. No other member of Collins’s family has a tattoo, which makes Collins the first. She received her tattoo the day after she turned eighteen. The tattoo on her forearm is the outline of a hammerhead shark. Collins has always been fascinated with sharks since she was little, so when she finally convinced her mom, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve liked sharks forever,” Collins said, “it’s a thing I’ve liked since I was little and it had a meaning which my mom only let me get one if it had a meaning.”
Although it seems like a silly little shark tattoo, the picture holds meaning to her. Something from childhood that sticks with a person is a powerful symbol of youth. Collins embraces her tattoo because of her keen interest in sharks, and will forever be reminded of her fascination.
