High Life : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Is It Unlucky to Talk About Superstitions?

Superstitions have been deeply influential in history since the dawn of mankind. Although these beliefs or practices appear to have no rational substance, most people--even today--would probably admit to holding one or two.

What with another Friday the 13th fast approaching, Hot Topics wonders, “Of what are you superstitious?”

“When I drive though a yellow light I scratch the top of the car. I was told that if you do this, you won’t get pulled over by a police officer.”

Maggie Brown, 18,

senior, Rosary

“Friday the 13th, broken glass, and a cat crossing my path.”

Jim Luster, 14,

freshman, Santa Margarita

“My grandma says that if you dream about losing teeth, someone will die or you’ll have a great loss.”

Audrea Leal, 16,

sophomore, Cypress

“I personally don’t believe in superstition. God has the power to overcome all superstitions.”

Esmeralda Pulido, 17,

junior, Southern California Christian

“Chain letters always instill a fear within me that drives me to send more haunting letters.”

Tommer Mitchell, 16,

sophomore, Villa Park

“In a game if I blow on the dice before I roll them, they won’t land in a certain way. Even though I know there’s not, it’s still fun to think there are good- and bad-luck charms.”

Jennifer Edwards, 16,

sophomore, Calvary Chapel

“Walking under an umbrella.”

Amy Hollyman, 15,

sophomore, Bolsa Grande

“You cross your legs, cross your arms, cross your fingers, and don’t touch the floor when you go over train tracks in a car.”

Andrea Kirshon, 15,

sophomore, Woodbridge

“If I’m wearing a certain outfit and I have a really bad day, then I won’t wear it again for a while.”

Heather Celani, 15,

sophomore, El Toro

“If superstitions (seem to come true), it’s because of coincidence, not because it’s true.”

Dan Grant, 15,

freshman, Santa Margarita

“I will not talk about something that I want to happen. I won’t even think about it. I call it jinxing myself when I do, and my wish never comes true.”

Jennifer Salerno, 16,

junior, Loara

“Always keep your wallet or purse with some form of money in it--even a penny--or it will bring you bad luck.”

Seena Talati, 17,

senior, Sonora

“I’m superstitious of the Chinese superstition of my head facing the south while sleeping, because a ghost can come haunt you in your dreams.”

Jennifer Wong, 15,

sophomore, Kennedy

“Don’t whistle backstage and buy fruits in odd numbers.”

Dena Bowles, 15,

sophomore, Newport Harbor

“Not putting my right shoe on before my left one.”

Pat Schuneman, 14,

sophomore, Servite

“If you pass someone the salt, you have to pass it directly to them. You can’t give it to someone else first.”

Sandra Young, 15,

junior, Fullerton

“It’s bad luck not to make your last basket in warm-ups before a game.”

Amy Chris, 17,

senior, Mission Viejo

“That if you crack a mirror, you will have seven years’ bad luck.”

Paul Loret, 17,

senior, Pacifica

“I’m superstitious of yellow lights--whenever I drive through them I cross my fingers.”

Suzanne Shepard, 17,

senior, Connelly

“If you shake your leg, all your luck runs out through it.”

Vikki Kim, 16,

senior, Rosary

“If I think one thing, the opposite will happen. So I purposely believe the wost of a situation, but I know something good will result instead--hopefully.”

Tobi Quinto, 17,

senior, El Toro

“Jinxing something if you talk about it. I always knock on wood.”

Matt Rodda, 18,

senior, Santa Margarita

“Pennies. If you see one with the tail facing up, you have to turn it over or you’ll have a bad day. If you see one with heads up and pick it up, you’ll have a great day.”

Rhonda Thomas, 16,

junior, Cypress

“When a butterfly follows you when you’re wearing a black shirt, that’s good luck.”

Melissa Johnson, 14,

sophomore, Villa Park

“It’s bad (luck) if you play with a picture of a person who has passed away.”

Nhan Ngo, 16,

sophomore, Bolsa Grande

“I wear my baby tooth around my neck as a good-luck charm.”

Magdalena Villalba, 16,

senior, Woodbridge

“Whenever there is a full moon, especially around Halloween, if I’m walking outside at night, I can’t help but feel I’m being followed or watched.”

Kristin Donner, 16,

junior, Loara

“I am especially superstitious about black cats walking in your path. I just get terrified and shrivel up inside.”

Matt Newcomb, 14,

freshman, Sonora

“Whenever I put on a raincoat it stops raining. Whenever I take one off, it pours.”

Bob Foster, 16,

junior, Newport Harbor

“Walking on cracks.”

Greg Scally, 15,

sophomore, Servite

“When a person bites his or her tongue, someone is thinking about them.”

Therese Bernardo, 17,

senior, Rosary

“If you wear your underwear backward, you will get bad luck.”

David Lee, 15,

sophomore, Villa Park

“I’m superstitious of breaking mirrors and not wearing a black hat in the house, because it means death or bad luck. It’s a Vietnamese superstition, I think.”

Lynne Do, 15,

sophomore, Kennedy

“I put the smaller sock of the pair on my left foot. I don’t know why; it’s just lucky.”

Christina Nagel, 16,

junior, Fullerton

“Don’t pick up a dropped spoon.”

Greg Lewis, 17,

senior, Fullerton

“Horoscopes and dreams.”

James Leonard, 16,

sophomore, Santa Margarita

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What would it take to get you to give up cigarette smoking?

Responses gathered by Kelly Maakestad (Bolsa Grande), Jessica Crete (Calvary Chapel), Heather Cox (Connelly), Jessica Hulsey (Cypress), Traci McCrimmon (El Toro), Brian Singer (Fullerton), Abby Fung (Kennedy), Shareen Ahmed (Loara), Kent Jancarik (Mission Viejo), Dan Eastmond (Newport Harbor), Diana Mueller (Pacifica), Lara Lagos (Rosary), Katie Elftmann (Santa Margarita), Henry York (Servite), Rosalind Blames (Southern California Christian), Aimee Johnston (Sonora), Darice Liu (Villa Park) and Mamata Kene (Woodbridge).