As fun and memorable as any nickname can be, some are far more unique and interesting than others. An execptionally quirky nickname at CHS is Pineapple, which senior Dylan Brooke has been going by since he was a freshman.

“When I lived in Utah in ninth grade, I was in my drama class for the first time, and when the teacher got to my name I rose my hand and said the first thing that popped into my head, which was pineapple,” said Brooke. “I made friends in that class who decided to call me Pineapple and the nickname spread and stuck.”

Brooke explains that he prefers using the nickname instead of his given name, regardless of what his family might think about it. Although not everyone approves of his title, he has come to love his nickname.

“All my teachers call me Pineapple and I even turn in my assignments using it,” said Brooke. “I prefer everyone call me Pineapple; it is what I go by.”

Some hesitate to refer to Brooke as Pineapple, but he is often told by friends that the name fits him well, and he is rarely called Dylan. After high school, he may go by his real name, but for now, the one-of-a-kind and unique ‘Pineapple’ suits him perfectly.

“The best part of having a nickname is that it adds a little bit of fun to everyday life,” said Brooke. “But I can’t even tell you how confusing it is in the produce section at grocery stores.”

With that, Brooke does not wish to go by anything else. He does not care what other people think of his name, and he hopes to continue his high school career with the title he has grown to love.

 

Waffles

Many people are born with unique names, but few have funny, alternative nicknames that are more popular than their real ones. Sophomore Erame Okojie, more commonly known as Waffles, has been going by his nickname for six years after he was referred to as Waffles by friends on his basketball team. The name quickly became popualar and carried on into high school.

“I was on a basketball team and randomly I said, ‘My Grandma makes good waffles,’” said Okojie. “Then everyone started calling me Waffles.”

Although he admits that his parents find the nickname silly and immature, Okojie loves his name. He explains that although he may abandon the nickname after high school, he enjoys the fact that the name makes him unique and gives him a trademark.

“The best part about my nickname is that it is cool and I don’t have a popular name that other people have,” said Okojie. “The worst part is that my name is a breakfast food.”

Ironically, the quirky Okojie hardly eats waffles, but that does not make him like his nickname any less. Although many people make fun of his name, he shows no hostility since he knows people are just jealous. And despite the controversy, Okojie prefers his nickname.

“If I had to change my nickname to anything it would probably be pancakes,” said Okojie. “I mean, who doesn’t like pancakes?”

Regardless of what breakfast food he is named after, Okojie has truly embraced the spirit of having a fun and unique nickname that will forever be a part of his life.