By Brody Gray
Sometimes grandparents don’t like the idea of a young person getting tattoos, but that doesn’t include physical education teacher Devin Wilburn. Wilburn got his first tattoo somewhere most wouldn’t expect.
One of his grandma’s tattoo parties.
Some people get tattoos for no reason, but some get them to show their love for their family or faith.
Wilburn fits both of those categories: family and faith. Wilburn has a tattoo on his back of Jesus on the cross that took four hours.
That tattoo includes his favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
On Wilburn’s bicep is a tattoo that he and his wife got when they got married. Wiburn’s says, “Now you’re my whole life.” His wife’s says, “Now you’re my whole world.” This is from the song “Then” by Brad Paisley.
Wilburn, who also played baseball in college at Ball State and now is the head baseball coach at Delta, also has a tattoo on his left shoulder and it’s a bulldog pitching a baseball.
“My dad always told me to be a bulldog growing up,” Wilburn said.
His last tattoo is a baseball with all his male family members’ names who inspired him to play baseball.
“I dreamed of it and the next day I got it,” Wilburn said.
Wilburn and his grandma have special memories because of these tattoos.
His grandma would have her friend that’s a tattoo artist come and do family member’s tattoos. Throughout the night they would have food, drinks and play games.
“I’m not sure if I’ll get another one or not, but if I do it would probably be something to do with my daughters.” Wilburn said
Senior Warren Eacret also has tattoos for his faith and family. Warren’s first tattoo was done when he was 14 and it’s a cross and a Bible verse on his right wrist. He got it done in Tennessee.
The verse is Ephesians 6:10, which is our need for power, the power of God’s spirit in us.
“I have the cross and verse to remind me to not stray too far from God,” Warren said.
He dedicated a tattoo on his left forearm that says, “My sister’s protector: because of her I will not fall.” This is to “remind me to always have my sister’s back,” he said.
Senior Landon Brooks has tattoos for his faith. Brooks got his first one, which is a cross over his heart, at the Signature Rose tattoo shop in Muncie.
He has a cross over his heart and it has the God is greater than the highs and the lows symbol. Brooks also has Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
“I read that verse before every (football) game,” he said.
Brooks got his tattoos to remind himself every day of the importance of his faith. Brooks plans to get a sleeve in the future.
For sophomore Kali Evans, she has tattoos for her family. Evans got her first one when she was 15.
One of her tattoos says, “I love you sis.” That’s something her mom, Jennifer, used to say to her before she passed away on April 28, 2024.
Evans also has butterflies on her forearm because her mom used to teach with them. Evans has the birth flower of her mom, dad and brother on her forearm.
“I have another flower for peace and strength,” Evans said. She thinks people believe she’s older because she has them.
Evans is planning to get another tattoo over spring break. Most of her family likes her tattoos, except for one person.
“My grandma doesn’t like that I have them,” Evans said
Phys ed teacher Tyronda Benning is another one of many teachers with tattoos for her faith and family. On Benning’s spine she has a tattoo for her grandma.
The tattoo is Roman numerals down her spine of her grandmother’s birthday. Her grandma was very special to Benning before she passed.
“I feel I always have her with me as a strong backbone,” Benning said.
On Benning’s ribs she has “Dios Es Amor” which translates to “God is love.” On her left wrist her tattoo says “Be here now” as a daily reminder that no matter what she is doing or where she is in life, it’s important for her to “always be in the moment and enjoy everything in front of me.”
She got her first tattoo at age 27.
“I got all my tattoos somewhere I could hide so it wasn’t a reason I didn’t get a job,” she said.
All of her tattoos have meaning behind them because “I’m a very meaningful type of person so I wanted them all to be sentimental,” she said.
She hopes to get several more tattoos.
