Junior Ryan Maphis desires to be different. To be unique. To stand out from the crowd. To be someone. She dyed her hair outrageous colors–other people win awards, but ten percent of high schoolers get inked before graduating.

While Maphis has dyed her hair to stand out from the crowded hallways, she wanted something different. When you walk into Maphis’ room, the first thing you will see is Marilyn Monroe’s face, so it was not surprising when Maphis wanted her tattoo to be a Marilyn Monroe quote: “It’s all make believe isn’t it?”

“I have been planning my tattoo since I was twelve. I have always loved Marilyn Monroe and this quote really stood out to me,” Maphis said

Maphis’ parents have been behind her 100% with her decision to get a tattoo. But Bob Maphis, her father, wanted to make sure that she would not regret her tattoo in the future.

“We got this special ink, that is only sold in Pennsylvania. It’s an ink that comes off easier than normal tattoo ink,when you want to remove it. It comes off cleaner and hardly leaves a scar. We got that just in case she changed her mind in the future and wanted it to get removed,” Bob Maphis said.

To make the tattoo more personal, Maphis had her mother, Chris Faushing, write the quote. They then transferred her writing onto a paper and placed it onto Maphis’ skin.
“I was touched that she wanted it in my handwriting. It’s not everyday that someone asks to put your handwriting on them forever,” Faushing said.

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