CHS Follows the Latest Trends Tuesday, October 18, 2011 By Junior Adam Ussher A student quickly texts before heading out on the road and giving in to the pressure of texting while driving. - Adam Ussher Advertising Teens today are always looking for the latest trends to follow. Some of the popular trends include: tanning, piercings, tattoos, and texting while driving. What teenagers don’t realize, however, is that the cost of “fitting in” is much higher than they think. Junior Dillan Klindt, one of the many CHS students who tan, said, “I tan three or four times a week, usually for 30 minutes. The whole point of tanning is to look more attractive. I think it makes me look like a chocolate Biscotti.” Another popular trend at CHS is piercings. “I think piercings make me look pretty,” said Sophomore Monal Patel. “Nose piercing originated in India, so by getting my nose pierced I’m actually expressing my Indian heritage,” added Monal. Tattoos are a big trend everywhere. According to CBS, at least one-third of U.S. adults under the age of 35 have at least one tattoo. Senior Haylie Huffman said, “My first tattoo was a remembrance tattoo for my grandpa. I also just like them and think they can be pretty.” One of the more dangerous trends at CHS is texting while driving. Junior Mikey Richardson said, “I know quite a few people who text and drive. They’re not thinking when they do it and then it turns into a habit. People don’t realize that they can get in a wreck and hurt themselves. It’s best for everyone for them to just turn their phones off so they completely eliminate the risk of getting someone hurt.” Some teens know the dangers of their habits, but don’t let those dangers stop them. “I know tanning can cause premature aging, skin cancer, burns, and there’s the chance of getting an uneven tan,” Dillan commented. “That’s just the price of beauty. Some of those can be prevented with lotion,” Dillan added. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, people who tan are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned. Dillan is not the only teen who shares this view. According to CBS, a study of university students found that more than 90% of tanning-bed users know the risks but continue to tan because they think it looks good. Things can also go wrong with piercings. “Sometimes you can get an infection or the piercing looks trashy, so that can make me think twice before getting one,” commented Monal. “To make sure that doesn’t happen, I keep piercings clean and go to licensed professionals,” she added. Tattoos, too, can be a tricky deal. Haylie said, “People who get tattoos need to go to a professional who uses clean needles, because needles that have already been used can transfer diseases like Hepatitis C, HIV, and cause skin infections. People who get tattoos also need to use ointment, otherwise the tattoo won’t get moisturized and then it will peel and the color will come out.” CHS is no exception to schools everywhere that have students who want to look good or fit in. Whether students think it’s worth it or not...only they can answer that.

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