Page 15 - 2000.Millard.North

Learning rr'o Cope

Students overcome stereotgpes

By Cindy Gottschalck

Stereotypes came in all Christian, and that just hurts makes me rich and snotty. So,
shapes and forms and some- my heart. Oh well. It's worth people need to not look at
times unexpected. No matter it. People make fun of my where you live, but who you
how one faced stereotypes, it What Would Jesus Do? are," senior Jessie Thrasher
was still a major means of bracelet . They make fun of said.
judging people whether it was my beliefs and mock my Other students said they
good or bad. morals." McClure said. were stereotyped by their
"People think I'm dirty However, other hobbies and what they like.
because I have holes in the students ignored stereotypes ''I'm stereotyped
back of my jeans, but I just and moved on. because I like computers and
like these jeans," senior Craig "Parents always because of the way I dress.
Dekeuster said. think that we' re going to do They think I'm a computer
Students dealt with drugs and get in trouble, nerd. I'm also called 'loser'
stereotypes in different ways. when really we just want in the halls just because I
"When people talk to have fun. l just ignore look like one," freshman
about stereotypes l believe it's the stereotypes about Conor Mckee said.
their way of dealing with teenagers and try to prove Some students were
people's difference s. I also myself," sophomore Chris stereotyped by appearance.
believe that people's differ- Eledge said. "People stereotype me
ences are what makes them Sophomore Lauren because of how I look, dress,
special. We need all sides of Errico tried to ignore and act. They think I'm
cultures in our school," sopho- stereotypes and look past hopped up on cocaine. But
more Salem Elzway said. them. Students agreed that really I'm straight edge,"
Because of her beliefs some stereotypes were about senior Brian Kurbis said.
Shannon McClure felt that where people lived and Students learned to deal
some students pointed to her which group one was with stereotypes in their
faith as an issue. classified. own way, whether it meant
"I get discriminated "I live in west dealing with them head on or
against a lot because I am a Omaha which automatically simply ignoring them.

Senior Cameron Reinhard and
Sophomore Jeff Hoeft practice for
wrestling. They were often stereotyped
as being "jocks".
pho/0 by Josh Williamson
Senior Jeff Hellinger uses th e pee- deck
during weight training cl ass. Males
wantin g to stay in shape were often
stereotyped for being "tough guys".
photo by Josh Willi amson C:---:C:C: :;;:c:c:=:;:::c:::;:;::::==:;:J....
~==~~S=re=re=o=cy~p=e~====r ll