Lafayette High School staff get tattoos to remember school before transition

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Some Lafayette High School staff members gathered at Independent Tattoo Parlor to commemorate their time together at the school with matching tattoos.

As a small group, staff members opted to get a special tattoo, a four-leaf clover permanently printed on their bodies as a symbol of the school they grew to love.

Nayra Montoya, the attendance secretary, shared the significance of the design.

"I have a lot of random tattoos, but I think this one will be really special because I'm not staying at Lafayette for the following year," Montoya said. "I was placed somewhere else, so it's just a little lucky charm to go with me."

The tattoo session was entirely voluntary, with Independent Tattoo expressing happiness to help celebrate the special moments with staff.

While Lafayette staff say it's bittersweet to be distributed across different schools and classrooms, they emphasize the memories they created will never be forgotten, especially with their new "good luck charm" tattoos.

"It's always felt like family," Montoya continued. "I've only been there three years, but in those three years, my boys have come to work with me sometimes. The kids always feel like family, it's just a special place to work."

Lafayette High School is set to become a middle school for the 2026-2027 school year this fall, making the group's tattoo tribute a lasting reminder of their time together at the school.