It's time for the game. Get decked out in your favorite Cardinal jerseys, beaded necklaces and maybe even some face paint. Or if you're freshman Brady Knepp, suit up in your best samurai armor.
Yes, Knepp expresses school spirit in an interesting fashion: a homemade cardboard ensemble based on ancient Japanese warrior gear. He started the endeavor his sophomore year at Lapel Junior-Senior High School during a church camp paintball game and then began wearing the armor to school events. The outfit was certainly a conversation piece, Knepp said.
"The best way to get to know people is just to be yourself," he said. "Any weird thing you do, just do it."
His individuality has not gone unnoticed. Knepp was featured in the 2007 book, "One Hundred Young Americans," by photographer Michael Franzini. The book, available from Amazon, includes the photos and stories of a cross section of teens throughout the United States in an attempt to capture an accurate view of youth culture. Franzini discovered Knepp through MySpace about two years ago.
"The search for kids was the hardest part because we wanted to make sure we were representing every teenager in America," Franzini said. "It was easy finding the jocks and emo kids; finding kids who don't fit in any neatly defined category was the challenge."
Knepp's brother, Landon, a senior at Ball State, said he appreciated his brother's ability to be comfortable with himself.
"I'm glad he can be happy being himself," Landon Knepp said. "I'd rather he wears a samurai outfit than a pink polo with the collar popped up."
Not all attention has been positive, though, Brady Knepp said.
"Some people are just like 'What are you wearing?' almost offended, like there's some sort of problem with it," he said. "They're just the type I ignore."
The worst instance of criticism was by an intoxicated student at a football game who ripped off the front of Knepp's samurai helmet. However, Knepp was not phased, repairing his armor with two staples.
Franzini said he was impressed by Knepp's disregard for social standards.
"So many teenagers are really struggling to achieve status and be part of the 'in' crowd and be dressed the right way," he said. "You look at [Knepp] with these cardboard costumes, and he saying 'Hey, I'm opting out of all that, and I'm going to have fun.'"
Knepp, a creative writing major, said he wanted to be a novelist or TV writer when he graduated and hoped the book might give him connections to publishers and agents. He has already written one book, "Freeing God." A few of his eight cardboard suits are inspired by characters in the book.
More samurai suits are in the works now, Knepp said, and he is experimenting with more colors and different designs. Landon Knepp joked that maybe his brother was too involved with costume-making.
"I think he could spend a little less time on his shenanigans and maybe get a job or something," Landon Knepp said, "but I appreciate that because of him, I'm not the weird one in the family."
The time is worth it because it makes life more interesting, he said.
"People just do double takes, and I think it's pretty funny," he said. "I don't think it would be that entertaining trying to be like everyone else."
For more information on "One Hundred Young Americans," visit 100youngamericans.com
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