High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Who’s Making Whom Green With Envy

Envy and jealousy are emotions that are rarely productive, but sometimes they can make you work harder to achieve that which you covet. At least, they reveal what you value.

Hot Topics wonders, “Of whom are you the most envious or jealous? Why?”

“I am very jealous of Paula Abdul. I admire her because she’s so talented and because she’s marrying Emilio Estevez.”

Ilana Pergola, 16,

sophomore, Buena Park

“Those inventors who make up the most simple things--suspenders, staplers, paper clips--and make millions of dollars from them.”

Rahsaan Footman, 17,

senior, Esperanza

“Girls who don’t have nice bodies have to totally work out to look decent; meanwhile, girls who have the perfect bodies probably eat a lot of food and take their bodies for granted.”

Merle Hernandez, 17,

senior, Kennedy

“I’m jealous of guys because they have a faster metabolism.”

Jana Schmitt, 17,

senior, Los Alamitos

“Cindy Crawford because she’s not only beautiful but also intelligent--two things I admire in a person.”

Danell Buckingham, 18,

senior, Costa Mesa

“Elvis because he had great sideburns.”

Chris Rosenblatt, 17,

junior, Marina

“I am jealous of all the famous and professional models in this world. I admire their beauty, and I hope to be able to become one someday.”

Delia Noriega, 14,

freshman, Buena Park

“Rob Liefield, Jim Lee, Whillce Portacio and Tod McFarlane because they are all popular comic book artists.”

Rick Anderson, 15,

freshman, Esperanza

“Anyone who can do whatever they want to do whenever they please; I can’t, but I don’t really care because I can deal with it.”

Pat Hutasevee, 18,

senior, Kennedy

“I am most jealous of Slash from Guns N’ Roses because I can’t play guitar like him--yet.”

Nikki Monninger, 17,

senior, Los Alamitos

“I’m jealous of Nikki Monninger because she can eat as many Kit Kats as she wants and not gain weight.”

Tracey Armstrong, 18,

senior, Los Alamitos

“People who are our age and who have a clear vision of what they’re going to do with their life.”

Julie Dalton, 18,

senior, Marina

“I’m not really jealous of anyone. I admire certain people for their courage, strength, and most of all their individualism.”

Nicole Shacklesford, 17,

senior, Buena Park

“M.C. Escher, because he’s an awesome artist.”

Adrienne Bezans, 16,

sophomore, Esperanza

“Anyone who is over 5-feet-3 and does not need a telephone book to drive a car.”

Therese Lee, 15,

freshman, Kennedy

“Cindy Crawford because of her beautiful body and her ability to keep up such wonderful poise and style.”

Becky Von Der Hellen, 18,

senior, Los Alamitos

“My parents, because they got to live in the ‘70s.”

Ray Bitner, 17,

senior, Marina

“I think that jealousy isn’t a good quality to have. It’s OK to be a little jealous; that’s natural, but there’s no reason to take it to its extreme.”

Rebekah Paul, 17,

senior, Buena Park

“Anyone who has a car to go to school, because anyone who lives in La Palma and any junior who still walks to the park is really sorry.”

Gylenn Inanaya, 16,

junior, Kennedy

“I’m jealous of certain things in everybody.”

Sung Lee, 16,

sophomore, Los Amigos

“Someone who has a license and a car, although I am happy that they get that luxury. I am jealous of all those people who have perfect bodies and personalities, and everyone who truly has everything going for them.”

Rachel Saydak, 17,

senior, Los Alamitos

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What’s the one thing your brother or sister does that makes you the most angry?

Responses gathered by Karen Shelley (Buena Park), Edison Leung (Costa Mesa), Jennifer Leuer (Esperanza), Eugenie Jovilett (Kennedy), Trisha Ginsburg (Los Alamitos), Todd Leibensperger (Los Amigos) and Gail Altman (Marina).