OC HIGH / STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS : OC High asks: What’s the ultimate status symbol at your school today?

Responses gathered by Tori Clive, Cypress; Judy Tsai, Huntington Beach; Luke Fenchel, University; Lisa Okikawa, Cypress; Amanda Garcia, El Modena; Tricia Michels, Fountain Valley; Sharon Maher, Westminster; Jennifer Tobkin, Villa Park; Alison Koodrich, Ocean View; Courtney Adams, Corona del Mar; Julie Kim, Aliso Niguel; Tina Toochinda, Dana Hills.

“Probably the kind of car you drive, which is really terrible for me, since I don’t have a car.”

Julia Markey, 16

junior, El Modena

“Being unique. Everyone is basically sick of trends, and if you have your own different style, you’re known. Don’t be afraid to be different.”

Amy Cox, 17

senior, Cypress

“Having the most attractive girl.”

Andi Wong, 16

junior, Huntington Beach

“What kind of car you drive.”

Michael Medor, 17

senior, Dana Hills

“Friends! Those people that every day stand around in big groups together being ‘cool.’ They have the status!”

David Moss, 15

sophomore, Irvine

“The activities you’re involved in.”

Kim Rawls, 16

senior, Irvine

“I think that the clothes one chooses to wear is the ultimate status symbol. People can tell what your status in school is and what type of crowd you hang out with by your clothes.”

Binu Palal, 16

junior, Cypress

“To graduate high school with honors and then go on to a major university.”

Jimmy Lundry, 15

freshman, Sonora

“Money.”

Sam Young, 18

senior, Corona del Mar

“Guys bring their beepers to school as a kind of status symbol. Personally, I think it makes them look egotistical and conceited.”

Cori McGraw, 17

senior, Dana Hills

“The letterman’s jacket. When people see that you are involved in varsity sports and that you spend your time working hard for that jacket, a certain respect is given to you.”

Shanon Gilkey, 16

sophomore, Villa Park

“The T-185 graphing calculator. If you have the T-181, you’re old news, if you have the T-182, you’re hot, and if you have a T-185. . .”

Anton Rytting, 17

senior, Westminster

“It’s your activities and involvements, such as being a member of A.S.B. (student government).”

Sara Kiani, 15

sophomore, Fountain Valley

“Clothes, because they show your taste and interests and express your personality.”

Jessica Renniger, 16

sophomore, Ocean View

“The type of car you drive.”

Matt Wells, 16

junior, Aliso Niguel

“Knowing and being friends with a wide variety of people. Being able to get along with a lot of different races and nationalities makes people give you respect.”

Jason House, 16

junior, Cypress

“If you have a lot of good friends and know a lot of people, then you will be popular. A car is important also.”

Judy Shao, 17

junior, Irvine

“A cool car. A car means freedom and every high school student wants to drive one.”

Lianna Ishihara, 16

junior, Cypress

“It’s your material possessions, such as your car, your clothes, your money, etc. Personally, though, I think this is wrong.”

Shannon Johlic, 17

junior, Fountain Valley

“The 11-year-old car, adorned with a variety of stickers with the intention to cover the lack of paint on the rear bumper. If you’re really cool, you’ll have a dent in the vicinity of the driver’s side door, too.”

Darci Elgen, 16

junior, Westminster

“School pride and school involvement. Someone who is involved and keeps up a good GPA, is an athlete, and does lots of extra work in a club or organization is really well known and they get a lot of attention.”

Sarah Lyding, 16

sophomore, Villa Park

“Class rank and GPA, because we’ll be graduating soon and that’s important to people right now.”

Rene Kornicks, 17

senior, Ocean View

“Nobody cares about (cars, houses). It’s the things people see every day, like your clothes--they define what type of social class you are in.”

Andy Peykoff, 17

senior, Corona del Mar

“I think it’s the respect you get from people.”

Jason Malcolm, 15

sophomore, Aliso Niguel

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