Teen Suicide: We Need a Solution

            Teen suicide has had a big effect on society today. After reading the article that was posted on Colorado’s Channel 9 news, it talked about a bill that was being passed after a young teen committed suicide back in January of 2012. According to the latest statistics, Colorado has the seventh highest suicide rate in the nation, and it is the third leading cause of death among young people in our state (Strasburg 2012). Referring to the previous text, this bill came in affect to address the growing problem and change the statistics in Colorado. 
             The article goes to talk about a 14-year-old boy named Spencer Russell who committed suicide on January 10, 2012. Spencer was an up-and-coming motorcycle racer and did not seem to show any signs of suicide or frustration towards his family. School officials believe what led to his death was caused by an incident that occurred at school the day before; however, family and friends are still unsure. Although his father described his motorcycle racing as a good thing, such as being chosen to be Rookie of the Year, there might have been a lot of pressure on him. "In our society we tend to look at a child who's active and we tend to think they're very much balanced, what we're not looking at is how that person handles things on the inside," (Curry 2012). I believe this quote is very true. In my essay, I talked about how each person handles every situation differently. No matter how happy one may seem, they might have issues deep down that they can't handle. I also talked about how a lot of people keep emotions and feelings bottled in which makes it hard for family and friends to know what is truly going on. 
             After reading this article, I was shocked that anybody of any age is capable of having suicidal thoughts. We definitely need to spread awareness so that if anybody feels like they're going through a tough time, there is always at least one person there to talk and be there for you. Suicide alone is a very sad issue and every just needs to support each other.

Tattoos: Good or Bad?

In this current generation, tattoos have become very popular and have been applied to bodies to represent memories of people, feelings, life beliefs and more, but most importantly it represents the work and the nature of art. Although you would think getting or having a tattoo is a sign of expression, it is deeply frowned upon by those who feel that tattoos are usually associated with gangs and violence. In many cases, you can argue that a great deal of tattoos are on the bodies of those who are criminals involved in gang violence, yet that is not always the case. Plenty of people that you won’t expect to have a tattoo, actually have tattoos and aren’t related to crimes or gangs of any type. Of course everybody is entitled to their own opinions, but relating anybody that has a tattoo as being a “rebel” or being involved in a gang is unfair and unreasonable.

As for myself, I have 9 tattoos and I chose to get mine because I appreciate the artwork of a tattoo and the meaning behind some of them. Before I got my first tattoo, I remember telling my parents and they yelled at me and said that tattoos were only for “bad people.” I was upset at the fact that they know how I am and that if I were to get a tattoo, it would not change how I act as a person, yet they still related a tattoo as being “rebellious” or “bad.” I heard it plenty of times before from other people, but hearing it from my own parents was just different. I suppose they were just trying to protect me from what other people would think, but unfortunately did not take into consideration of what I can do, whether I have tattoos or not.

Other than my parents, there have been times where I would notice people staring at my tattoos and making a face as if they were disgusted. Back in my Senior year at high school, a lot of my peers started to get tattoos and it was hard for them to get part-time jobs due to their excessive amount of tattoos. Although it is considered unprofessional and should be limited or hidden, it does not determine whether or not you can or cannot do your job right. Tattoos do have a big effect on your life and can cause some people to turn their heads. I personally think that nobody should be judged by what is on their body, instead should be interested in the way of how one presents their self, tattoos or not. Tattoos do not and should not determine one’s ability to do something.

There is no foundation to the stereotype because nobody can prove that a person with tattoos are “rebellious” or associated with violence. It is known to better keep your tattoos hidden so that you can look more professional and well-kept. I think a way to repair the stigma is for people with tattoos to show off their talents and show that there is no difference between one another when it comes down to opportunity and ability to do something.

I Pledge..

Over the break, our Year Up staff went on a retreat and signed a pledge to reassure their commitment of providing knowledge and support to the students and to ultimately help close the opportunity divide. In class, we discussed the concept of a pledge and agreed to create and sign a pledge for ourselves, being a Year Up student.

I, Lisa Zhuo, pledge to succeed at every task given to me by remaining focused on my work, using my resources to help me find the answers to any questions I may have and show that I am committed by being prepared to learn and doing everything on time.

I pledge to be a good role model by setting a good example of never giving up on yourself and help encourage and support others throughout their struggles and life journey.

I pledge to graduate with the confidence of knowing that I can achieve any goal I have set for myself by continuing to take on any opportunity available to me, believing in myself and working extra hard to get where I need to be.

Lisa Zhuo