Breaking teen stereotypes

JJ Hoo and Haeri Yoo share their quirky interests and hobbies

There is more to being a teenager than what they are often credited for. Push aside the typical stereotypes, and several teens have fascinating, unorthodox hobbies.

Senior JJ Hoo collects novelty erasers. Hoo began collecting when he was in the third grade. His classmates, in lieu of trading cards, would swap interestingly shaped and colorful novelty erasers.

“Every time I see an interesting-looking or unique eraser when I’m shopping around, I will buy it and add it to my collection,” Hoo said.

Many people do not understand why someone would choose erasers to collect rather than something more conventional, but Hoo said that other collector’s items, for example stamps and trading cards, can be less unique and relatively more expensive than the eraser alternative.

Teen fashion magazines have horoscopes where people can consult the stars to predict and advise their daily lives. Senior Haeri Yoo always had an interest in astrology, so it follows that her fascination led to her skill with tarot cards. Tarot cards supposedly use astrology, or the study of the magical properties imbued in the stars, to “read the future” or interpret life.

“My friends and I always have fun with the cards,” Yoo said. “We do tarot readings whenever I have the cards with me.”

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