Estrella Soriano
Have you seen this tattoo around the halls?
You’re walking through the crowded hallway between classes: backpacks swinging, shoes squeaking, conversations buzzing. Someone passes by with a snake coiled around their forearm, another with a flower barely visible under a shirt sleeve. Inked initials peek out from behind an ear, and a quote trails down someone’s calf. You notice the tattoos, but not the stories. Every design has one, and for the seniors at Harrison high school, those stories often say something about who they are, where they’ve been, or where they’re going.
Kelan Borgemenke
One senior, Kelan Borgemenke, chose a meaningful symbol for their first tattoo: Archangel Michael. Archangel Michael is often seen as a protector and a symbol of courage, strength, and guidance in many cultures. “It stands for my grandparents who passed and having courage,” Kelan shared. The tattoo holds deep meaning, connecting strength with personal loss. As for the pain, he said, “It was like a 2 out of 10.” In the future, Borgemenke plans to add a full leg sleeve and an arm sleeve.
Natalie Brown
Brown’s tattoo features four hearts on her arm, each one drawn by her siblings. “I wanted to always have a part of them with me,” she explained. The tattoo carries a deep emotional connection, symbolizing her bond with her family. She isn’t alone in this train of thought either. According to Psychology Today many people get tattoos for a loved one! As for the pain, Natalie said, “It wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined it. It only hurt when she went back over it.” Looking ahead, Natalie is already planning her next piece: “I want a stamp showing my birth year and birth flower.” She clearly put a considerate amount of thought into her designs, and we can’t wait to see what she does in the future.
Estrella Soriano
Estrella Soriano’s tattoo is especially meaningful because she designed it herself. It features two sunflowers, one larger than the other, almost as if the bigger one is protecting the smaller one as it grows. The tattoo also includes the words “You are enough” written in her mother’s handwriting. “Sunflowers are mine and my mom’s favorite flowers, and they bring a warmth that motivates me,” Estrella shared. The tattoo holds even deeper significance, as she explained, “I’ve struggled with mental health, so with the words as a physical reminder, it’s like a piece of inspiration always with me. My mom has always been in my corner, so in a way, it keeps me attached to her.”
As for the pain, Estrella said, “I got my tattoo on my wrist, so you’d think it’d hurt quite a bit, but it just felt like I was being poked a lot. The coloring part hurt a bit more”. Estrella also plans to keep adding to her collection in the future. “I love drawing and art, so I’d love to make a few more for myself. I’d like to keep them sentimental.”
At Harrison High, these tattoos are more than just ink; they’re stories and symbols of who these seniors are and what they are going to be. Each design represents resilience, love, and personal growth, with every mark telling a unique tale. Whether it’s a tribute to family, a reminder of strength, or a piece of self-love, these tattoos will stay with them as their journeys continue to unfold. So, the next time you find yourself in a hallway behind someone with a butterfly on their wrist or stars on their arm, remember there’s always more to the story than meets the eye.