They Lived to Tell of Feats of Daring-Do

If you’ve ever strolled your school’s halls without a pass, or used the restrooms during lunch, or passed a note in class, or ordered a burrito from the cafeteria, you already know what it means to take a walk on the wild side.

Hot Topics wonders, “What’s the most daring, dangerous thing you’ve ever done?”

“I ate sushi once with lots of horseradish.”

Angela Liao, 15, sophomore, Villa Park

“The night before April Fools’ Day, my brothers and I drove around town and changed all the road signs.”

Kami T. Wilt, 17, junior, Dana Hills

“I dove off a cliff that was 15 stories high into a pool of dark, murky water.”

Cindy Thomas, 17, senior, Fullerton

“My parents thought I was 10 minutes away from home with some friends when actually I was in Lake Arrowhead.”

Neha Shah, 17, senior, Troy

“I didn’t study for my finals, and it jeopardized my high-school career.”

Dan Ngai, 18, senior, Irvine

“When I was 10, my friend and I had a stunt-man show for my sister. My friend hit me, and I fell off the roof into a cardboard box.”

Dan Allen, 18, senior, Cypress

“I decided to take Latin again next year.”

Jennifer Lee, 14, freshman, Dana Hills

“I tackled a girl in the parking lot after she stole something from my store.”

Mark Ogdon, 18, senior, Esperanza

“I hung over the edge of Half Dome, pretending I was going to fall.”

Brian Robertson, 16, junior, Villa Park

“Chemistry class, because everything I did kept blowing up.”

Carol Miller, 17, senior, Troy

“It’s probably when I went snow boarding.”

Danny Hai, 16, junior, Irvine

“I went bungee-cord jumping.”

Steve Hinds, 17, senior, Cypress

“I had the school’s chicken burgers.”

Terri Sesay, 16, sophomore, Dana Hills

“I did a twist jump off a cheerleading pyramid.”

Mindy Weinrich, 16, sophomore, Esperanza

“Sharing a bathroom with my sisters.”

Colin Elliott, 15, sophomore, Villa Park

“Walking outside of my apartment every day. If going to school isn’t dangerous, I don’t know what is--except maybe ditching my English teacher’s class.”

Mike Lopez, 17, senior, Fullerton

“I flew off my bike at the speed of 40 m.p.h.”

Christie Shockency, 17, senior, Troy

“When I left my pen on the desk without putting the cap back on.”

Jim Froumis, 16, junior, Irvine

“I went to Hollywood, and my friends took my car and left me there for two days. I stayed with two guys until my parents picked me up.”

Shelly Lostus, 17, senior, Cypress

“Playing chicken at 2 in the morning.”

Jennifer Bachman, 15, sophomore, Dana Hills

“I ran away from home and went with my friends to Mexico.”

Belinda Bacjafra, 18, senior, Villa Park

“At Waimea Canyon in Hawaii, I hung over the railing over a 4,000-foot drop and started swinging back and forth. My dad almost ripped my arm off when he pulled me over.”

Brad Turek, 17, senior, Troy

“When I got into my friend’s car and went for a ride.”

Jesus Vera, 16, junior, Irvine

“I went white-water rafting last year and almost fell out.”

Kristine Maes, 18, senior, Cypress

“I went to the movies without permission.”

Erica Kiss, 15, sophomore, Dana Hills

“I ate a jar of expired marshmallow cream.”

Suzie Park, 15, sophomore, Villa Park

“I enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program.”

Nicole Mercer, 16, senior, Troy

“When I first started rope climbing.”

Darren Schmidt, 16, junior, Irvine

“I was riding on the top of a car down the freeway at 80 m.p.h.”

Mary Dimatto, 18, senior, Cypress

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What movie or book has made the biggest difference in your life? How so?

Responses gathered by Jessica Hulsey (Cypress), Tina Toochinda (Dana Hills), Jennifer Leuer (Esperanza), Kelly St. John (Fullerton), Ken Lee (Irvine), Layne Mosler (Troy) and Juanita Chang (Villa Park).