Two seniors, Payton Potts and William Favorite, are active skaters who make it known that skating is one of their passions. They have been` seen riding their skateboards around the courtyard and parking lot. After been seen ridden around school, skateboards are no longer allowed. 

“I skate as a release, mostly. It distracts me from my everyday stresses/anxieties and I’m super thankful to have found something that does that for me,” Potts said. “ I’d say a solid portion of my life has consisted largely of depression fits and existential crises, so I really appreciate the release that skating gives me from that.” 

Since the skating community is somewhat small around Northwest Arkansas, there isn’t really a push to get involved.

“I was bored one night and really needed something to do. I found a board on Letgo for $5, and as soon as I had it in my hands, I fell in love, Potts said. “ Something about it just clicked with me.” 

Skating at school has specifically been an issue many are aware of this year. There is now even a rule in place that you cannot bring your skateboard on campus. This has brought many students to question the rules and if they are truly necessary. 

“I honestly wish I could answer that. We weren’t ever fairly communicated with on the rule, so I couldn’t say. I definitely wish there would have been more communication on the part of the administration so the new rule hadn’t felt like an attack.” Potts said.

According to fellow skater Favorite, he believes that skating at any time it doesn’t interfere with learning.

Though multiple skaters at school do understand the rules in place and tend to follow them they still notice a negative persona around them skating. When asked if the stereotypical persona around skater boys is true we get the answer most of us expected. 

“Yes and no. I have friends that I skate with that fit the stigma, but I also have friends that are the total opposite that skate.” Potts said. “It’s always been my personal philosophy to not make generalizations based on what may be a percentage of an entire culture. No two skaters are the same, and I think that statement definitely goes without recognition.”

According to junior Ryleigh Bunch, skater boys are known for their different and very desirable sense of fashion. From the Beanies down to the Vans their fashion is nowhere short of beautiful.

“I wear my skaters (skate shoes) around a lot. They’re holey and beat up, but I think it’s kind of a way of showing off my hard work. Beanies, too,” Potts said. “No symbolism on that one, just like beanies now.” 

But skate fashion goes beyond just the clothes. Bunch believes it takes on a whole new meaning when you change yourself, which in turn changes your fashion.

“Skating has totally changed me as a person. It has helped me develop style and sides of myself that I never had before and I feel like overall it has just helped me develop as a person,” Favorite said.

Skating isn’t always just a hobby, but a real commitment. To skate you have to have the intelligence, perseverance, and fearlessness to get anywhere with it. Regardless of the typical persona, skating is hard work that requires a strong person and deserves to be legitimized, according to Bunch.

“Anyone can do it and that it is about so much more than just learning the tricks,” Favorite said. “ It is a great opportunity to be creative and explore, and overall I’m my opinion skate culture is a great one to be a part of.”