Estela Ortiz steps into a grungy building surrounded by the noise of buzzing needles. Staring at the artwork on the wall, the junior chose the tattoo that would remain on her body for the rest of her life.
“I’ve always thought tattoos were cool and always planned on getting one,” Ortiz said.
At the age of 16, Ortiz got her first tattoo of a TX across her upper chest. Within a month, she had four.
“I got it because I was raised in Texas,” Ortiz said. “I also lived in Texas all my life.”
A weekend passed and she ended up in the parlor shop picking out her next tattoo, the name Jose on the middle of her forearm.
“Jose is my dad’s name,” Ortiz said “He has always been there for me each and every moment that I needed him by my side.”
Ten days later, Ortiz decided to get cherries on her thigh. This tattoo was a gift for her 17th birthday.
“I wanted to get the cherries because I always thought it would look cute,” Ortiz said.
Despite their permanence, Ortiz wanted more than three tattoos. She received her fourth and last tattoo, two guns pointing together on her lower back, less than a week after her previous one.
“The reason why I picked the guns is because I think it represents a symbol for strength and life,” Ortiz said.
According to Ortiz, her Texas tattoo and the tattoo of her father’s name hold meaning to her, while the others remain scars of a spur-of-the-moment decision. Junior Xavier Aponte, a classmate of Ortiz, does not support tattoos with no meaning behind them.
“I think they are just stupid and they are a waste of ink,” Aponte said. “Think before you ink.”
According to Aponte, all of his tattoos mean something. He has five and plans to receive his sixth within a year. Aponte has a tattoo of Love on one wrist and Pain on the other.
“Every time you go through love you experience pain at the same time,” Aponte said.
Aponte adores Air Jordan shoes and owns a collection of the shoes. He has the Jordan symbol tattooed onto this left shoulder.
“Air Jordans were my first pair of shoes,” Aponte said. “My big brother died and I started collecting Jordans.”
On his opposite shoulder, Aponte has the phrase, “Nothin to a boss.”
“It’s a motto, and I also make sure that I am the boss,” Aponte said.
Aponte’s final tattoo carries significance to him because it’s of his brother.
“I treat him like he is my son,” Aponte said.
Aponte’s parents, whose permission the law required, made him take careful consideration to ensure the tattoo was the one he wanted.
“The 18-year-old thing is a bad rule,” Aponte said “If you want it then it should be your choice to be able to get it.”
When considering his next tattoo, he wants to make sure the colors stay neutral.
“All the colors of my tattoos are black and white because all I see is black and white,” Aponte said.
Midnight • Jun 1, 2010 at 7:42 am
I just recently got my first tattoo, it was a graduation present. It is of a heart with with angel wings and inside the heart, it says my dogs name. I had my dog for twelve years and she was my first pet. I loved this dog. I got her cremated and her ashes are right next to my bed. I miiss her every day. She was there for me when I didn’t have human friends. It means a lot to me to have this tattoo. Besides, how many people would get a tattoo for their pet. I agree that all tattoos should have meaning. So far I have at least 3 more planned out. I love tattoos, but I wouldn’t waste the ink or my body to get something that is meaningless to me.
Tamrha Echols • May 24, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I completely agree with your story. I’ve always wanted a tattoo and when I turned 18 last month, I set my sights on getting one. But I took, literally, a month and a half thinking of what I wanted done that was meaningful and personal to me – something original that represented who I was and what I’ve been through. I ended up getting a personalized baroque design. It was beautiful and elegant and it felt right – something that, in essence, is so taboo and condemning, yet mesmerzing. To me, it represented more than just who I am as a person, but what I was coming from.
To me, if a tattoo has no preplanning or personal meaning, than it’s useless and a waste of scarring. A person shouldn’t get one unless they truely want it to mean something.
Michele Stricklin • May 20, 2010 at 10:16 am
I agree with Rindi and Aonte, tattoos are forever..without meaning they are a waste, no meaning or memory to something momental. I plan on having 3 or 4 tattoos, all have a meaning to me because there is no point in defacing my skin just for the heck of it. Just think hard before you do even if it has meaning to you, remember a nice tatto at 16 might be a little saggy and baggy at age 67! I do agree with waiting till you are 18 because most teenagers are not at the level of maturity to actualy decide with true meaning. At 18 you are ready more than at age 16 if you truley want those cherrys on your hips. Not gonna lie, I almost got one of my tattoos before I turn 18 (in July :/ ) but I waited, Im still going to get the same tattoo I wanted but I have more time to make sure it is exactly what I want!
Rindi • Apr 26, 2010 at 9:10 am
Great story. I’m turning 18 in may and I’m getting my tattoo then. It’s going to be on my foot of three heart representing my brothers and I. I’m excited but nervous. However, I think that if someone wants to get a tattoo they should think about what they want and what it would mean to them and if it means nothing then they should choose something different to put on their bodies.
Kymber • Apr 24, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I know I’ll be getting over 3 tattoos, all will have meaning. I’m all for students with meaningful tattoos.
Allex Ohler • Apr 20, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Good story Rosanne.
I think tatoos are intresting, but i would never get one though.