Superstitious Students

            See a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.

            Many people, including Lake Hamilton students, are superstitious or at least partake in superstitious activities.  But why?  What is the logic behind being superstitious?  Many are superstitious because they fear what they do not understand or because they wish to have good luck.  For instance, when most people see a penny heads up, they pick it up and believe they have good luck.  Some will not retrieve a penny if it is tails up fearing the bad luck that will be bestowed upon them.  Then you witness the occasional student who will pick up a penny to make them a little more financially stable.  But, superstition is not limited to penny pickers.  Many students believe in a variety of superstitions associated with their background, luck, or misfortune indicating that as humans we feel the need to place our luck in the hands of fate.

            Scientifically, fate is not the foundation of superstitious beliefs.  Scientists claim that superstition is simply a theory that can never be proven true or false.  Dr. Kevin Foster and Dr. Hanna Kokko, biologists of Harvard University and the University of Helsinki, suggest that there may be a gene for superstition and it is not entirely made up by our irrational ancestors as once thought.  In science there is a direct link between two items that are connected in some way and that superstition may be imbedded within us through instinct.  Furthermore, the science of superstition specifically lends its hand to the theoretical side or the logic and rationality behind superstition rather than the belief and fateful side of the matter. 

            There are students at Lake Hamilton who possess a scientific view superstition is mentioned.  One student, Ashley Kendall, owns two black cats.  She does not believe in luck or anything associated with superstitions; she simply took in the two stray cats and cares for them daily.  She believes that superstitions are simple theories just as science would conclude.  But, other students believe black cats to be nothing but evil and will do anything to keep them at a distance.  Berta Acosta was raised to believe they are bad luck.  “It is a ‘belief’ in my country [El Salvador], when a black cat crosses in front of your car it’s a sign of bad luck.”  I can relate to her on this level because my family (originating and still residing in England) is superstitious and I was raised to not perform particular actions and to believe certain things are bad luck, including black cats.  From almost all countries superstitions have originated with the intent to bring forth good luck, rid people of bad luck, accomplish your life’s intent, or simply because people are afraid of the unknown or unattainable. 

            After speaking with Berta, I gathered some more interesting viewpoints from a few Lake Hamilton students.  Nikki Haak, a junior, only interprets a few superstitions as worthy of believing; others she does not lend her attention and leaves them to be picked apart by science.  “I actually try to step on cracks,” she stated with a grin, “but I will not open an umbrella indoors.”  Her decisiveness highlights the idea that not all students are fully superstitious.  Other students, like senior Peyton Connelly and sophomore Lesley Breitenberg, are superstitious in the ritual perspective.  Peyton stated “If I have a good day at [football] practice, I will wear the same shirt I wore to practice on game day for good luck.”  He believes that the shirt may have something to do with his success and is willing to put that theory to the test.  Lesley has a similar superstition that she and her dance team practice before every basketball game.   She said “Whenever we get ready to go out on the court, we kiss our hand and hit the top of the door for luck.”  So, whether students are involved in sports are not, many are superstitious because they leave their chances of winning or losing something in life to fate. 

Superstition is still believed in today, which shows that our society is, in some way, still connected to our ancestors with our hope in good fortune and our irrational fears.  We still place our luck and fate in the palms of our ancestors who thought up the superstitions or contemplate the idea of being born superstitious.  So, cross your fingers and just remember, don’t tempt your fate by walking under a ladder or jeopardize your soul by dropping your mirror and always knock on wood and throw a pinch of salt over your shoulder.  You do want to graduate don’t you?

Taylor Duke