THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506080052
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHAEL CULPEPPER, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
IT LOOKS LIKE a wood shop class project gone awry. It may even pass for a molecular model in chemistry class. But despite its peculiar shape, some Kellam High School students are being turned on to this mysterious relaxer.
Many students walk into class with the device hidden in their backpacks, its odd outline protruding through the canvas. When teachers turn their heads, the Happy Massager is unleashed on neighboring students.
Produced by Tender Loving Things Inc., the Happy Massager is little more than four gumball-size balls tethered to a larger ball by way of four wooden cylinders. The entire apparatus, which costs $10 to $15, fits in the palm of the hand and comes complete with a happy face engraved on it.
Senior Danny Prejoles received his Happy Massager as a gift for his 18th birthday. Like many other students, he uses the device to reduce stress. He maintains, though, that bringing the massager to school creates stress as well.
``I am usually very tense at school, and the Happy Massager relaxes me,'' Danny said. ``I would take it to school all the time if I could, but too many people ask to use it.'' MEMO: Michael Culpepper is a senior at Kellam High School. by CNB