By this time in our lives, we all know what stereotyping is and we've probably all done it. Still, labeling occurs daily in school. The two extremes at Spring Valley are preps and goths.

Preps are defined as snobby, stuck-up, popular kids. They are the well-dressed, name brand group. Girls are usually cheerleaders; boys are major jocks.

Goths are defined as quiet, depressing, deep people. They wear black makeup, baggy pants with chains and have a generally pessimistic outlook on life. Goths are known as the outcasts.

Neither seems to be something you'd want to be called, but it's become so accepted that very few people see it is an insult. Only one out of every 12 students interviewed seemed to think that being called a prep or a goth was an insult.

"Being called a prep isn't an insult," said Spring Valley High School student Alicia Hughes. "Everyone gets classified as something."

Classmate Lindsey Burner added," When I get up in the morning, I dress how I feel. I don't care what people think."

This cliché mindset isn't just found in students, though. Some teachers share the same feelings as the students as to what defines these two groups.

Despite popular belief, goths aren't the only group singled out for their looks. When it comes to fashion, both preps and goths put a lot into their appearance, though in very different styles. Still in the war of miniskirts vs. chains, you'll notice more students labeled as preps having to change their clothes.

Some clothing styles that preps wear are considered "indecent exposure," a violation of the school dress code. They may be made to change clothes by school officials.

However, though a goth's clothes aren't as revealing as a prep's clothes, they could be considered a safety hazard if there's anything sharp like spikes on their clothes. They aren't asked to change quite as often, though.

Despite the fact that everyone considers himself or herself to be unique, most people said if they had to make a decision, they'd rather be labeled a prep than a goth. Only two or three in an average class of 24 would rather label themselves as a goth.

In the end, Spring Valley sophomore Brent Taft summarized it best, saying, "I'd rather be somebody than nobody."