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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, January 15, 2010 · 12 For the Health of Our Community Is temporary trend worth permanence? By Madeline Kanuka Gr. 12, Holy Trinity T Thank you to Bentall LP who organized two fundraising initiatives in 2009 that benefitted OTMH. We would also like to thank Bentall's tenants who participated in the Summer Barbeque and Fall Corn Roast fundraising events. With your support you contributed more than $920 to purchase essential medical equipment at OTMH, such as a new infant monitor for the Maternal Child Unit. Initiatives like Bentall's Summer Barbeque and Fall Corn Roast help to ensure that essential healthcare services are available, close to home. To learn more about our community partner programs please visit www.oakvillehospitalfoundation.com Thank you for the health of our community. oday, the hot craze is not so much dyed hair and body piercings; it is the ever so permanent, infamous and irrevocable tattoo. My second-period teacher proclaimed that "only the scum had tattoos" when he was a teen. Although the lecture swayed a bit off topic from our lesson on bell curves and probability, I could count one or two students in that very class who already had a tattoo forever embedded into their young skin. The popularity of tattoos is tremendously prominent in pop culture and is becoming the new "want" for young adults on their Christmas lists. The entire concept may seem quite peculiar for parents and teachers at a Catholic school, but according to Grade 12 student Lauren, "The Bible says nothing against getting a tattoo" and plans on getting a white ink dove drawn on her hip. As a 17 year old, a tattoo is something that I happen to sneak into the daily dinner table conversation. However, I remain quite hesitant to get one without my parents's consent. I think my parents are afraid of me regretting a per- manent decision that may possibly affect my future job opportunities. But what if you can't see it? And what if it's conservative and meaningful? As a student with an average above 90, a plateful of extra curriculars and a life-long list of goals, I believe that a momentous and moderately sized tattoo is becoming more acceptable in today's society. I am at an age where my stress load seems to swallow me alive, my independence is undoubtedly prominent, and I am making crucial decisions that will define and shape who I am 20 years down the road. From my perspective, glancing in the mirror every morning to see a small, cursive, and conveniently hidden Latin quote by the classical Roman poet Virgil, will offer me a little inspiration to follow my passions and make courageous decisions. I cannot lie; I am inspired by the tattoos of celebrities Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox. I will assert, nevertheless, that I do not want a tattoo for the sake of simply getting one. I desire a clever piece of art with power and meaning, therefore I will hold off a while to make sure this decision is not just some immature and ludicrous idea my peers and I had back in high school.