Craze Issue Four: Adolescence by Craze Magazine

-CONTENTS

table of contents

08 road trip

48 westsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s craziest things

16 learn the hard way

50 night life

18 teachers as teens

56 be proud of your roots

24 atsc

58 teen jobs

26 unexpected abuse

60 soundcloud

30 best thrift stores

64 swolemates

34 sugary sweet love

66 reinvent and redecorate

38 the history of teens

72 find your club

40 family restaurants

74 ghost hunting

letter from the editors... It’s hard to talk about adolescence sometimes without hashing out every tired, Hollywood cliché. They’re your glory days, the best years of your life. You struggle to fit in, but ultimately you can just be yourself, and everything will fall into place. It’s hard, but in the end, it’s perfect. These clichés are comforting. They can give high school a little extra flavor, can make it feel worth all the pain and the zits and the awkwardness. It’s hard enough to walk through these halls every day — why can’t we fantasize about the perfect, movie-style life? After all, Westside really would be more colorful if we had lunch-time musical numbers. Unfortunately, these clichés just aren’t true. If high school is one thing, it’s complicated. There’s no obvious answer, no objectivity. For some people, it will be the best time of your life. You’ll look back on football games and weekend parties and smile. For others, it will be the worst. When you’re older, you’ll laugh at how stressed you were, how shy and miserable. You’ll be so glad you got past it. This doesn’t make this time in our lives any less valuable, however. Being a teenager is a unique experience, one you only have one shot at. It’s a sliver of life wedged between childhood and adulthood, and you should get all of the living you can out of it. That’s what Craze aims to help you with in this issue. We want to analyze our adolescence, to give advice and to think about all the things that make us teens unique. Read on, and embrace the cliché and original alike. Be yourself. Enjoy your glory days. Don’t stick to the status quo. We promise: if you go your own way, you will find what you’re looking for. Bet on it.

-CONTRIBUTORS

contributors

editors-in-chief: lia hagen and allie laing design editor: kirsten mccormack managing editors: jenna hynek and tommy huerter (not pictured: lilli marvin) photo editor: abegale headlee staff: claire wilson lauren chesire grace wolfe sarah lemke erin kruger estella fox

harper newell abby hack jake larsen bridget mizener maddie look nikki saner

audrey mccann casey arritt aaron casey elise tucker (not pictured: ally guenette)

adolescence

足足-INTRO

STORY AND DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN, PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCCORMACK

[add-oh-less-ince] 1. the period after you hit puberty but before you can rent a hotel room 2. the most awkward, awesome, difficult time of your life

playlist: smells like teen spirit (and b.o.) LISTEN HERE

ribs lorde

the heart wants what it wants selena gomez

heroes david bowie

cheerleader st. vincent

grilled cheese cherry glazerr

ode to viceroy mac demarco

the art of peer pressure kendrick lamar

on the road

-SNAPSHOTS: ROAD TRIP

finding freedom behind the wheel

STORY BY LIA HAGEN, PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY KIRSTEN MCCORMACK AND LIA HAGEN

he longest road trip I've ever been on was eighteen and a half hours long. It felt like an eternity. It felt like a new beginning, stretched out in the backseat of a car, eating food that was terrible for me and sharing my life story. The road was endless. It stretched out in front of us with a comforting consistency, long stretches of highway broken up only by the occasional small town. The conversation was endless too. In that car, I could say anything, and I did. We all did. I learned more about my friends in those eighteen hours than I had in the last month; we said things we'd been ashamed to share or unaware we could. Cozied up under my blanket, I felt warm and safe. I knew even then it was an experience I'd been seeking my entire high school career. It was a moment of real connection, the kind you read about but never seem to have. In some ways, it was my coming of age story. That's the unique power of roadtrips. It's what's driven writers from Jack Kerouac to John Green to depict them. They can change something in you, bring something to your friendships and your life you never expected. There's something about the intimacy of being trapped in a car together for hours. It fills you with a sense of adventure, of exploration. It makes you feel like you're finally forging your own path. For some teens, it's the first time we really feel that way. It can be hard to find purpose and glamour in adolescence. Sometimes, it feels like everything in your life is done to please someone else. Your parents tell you when to sleep, when to eat, and when to hang out with your friends; your

teachers tell you when to work and when to think. It can be exhausting. A roadtrip can be a step away from that. It's a way to take control of your life and maybe have the teen experience you've always dreamed of. In this photo essay, we sought to capture the spirit of a road trip — the freedom and the purpose that can only be found with a bag of junk food and too few bathroom breaks. STUDENTS FEATURED: JUNIORS KARLY CAHALANE AND GITA DEONARAIN

足足-SNAPSHOTS: ROAD TRIP

足足-OPINION: BUILDING CHARACTER

responsible rebellion

because sometimes you need to learn the hard way STORY AND DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN, PHOTO BY SARAH LEMKE

Technically, I've been arrested before. Don't worry, it wasn't for anything super illegal. No felonies or hard convictions for me. It wasn't even for anything interesting or cool. When I was in eighth grade, I went through the typical shoplifting phase, which ended abruptly when a mall cop busted me for stealing a tie. Even that wasn't hardcore â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I was stealing it for my Luna Lovegood costume. My mom laughed when she found out. I was bawling like a baby after being scolded by the mall cop for a solid half hour, and she didn't worry about whether or not I'd learned my lesson. She could already tell I had. Well, I'd learned not to shoplift, anyway. Looking back, I don't regret it. Writing an apology letter for Diversion was a pain, but I knew I was lucky to have it wiped from my record. It didn't hurt to also have a mom who would pick me up and help me deal with the fallout. It was an experience, one I know I can't repeat now that I'm heading to college. Being a teenager is all about collecting those experiences. It's about learning from your mistakes, and part of learning has to be having the freedom to make those mistakes. Too often, adults try to protect us from ourselves. Parents set too-strict rules and early curfews in an attempt to keep their kids in line. They set up safe guards against typical teenage behaviors, replacing the child locks and baby monitors of our childhood with bed checks and phone tracking apps. The thing is about these safe guards, though, is that they don't work. According to Dr. Laura Markham, strict parenting actually makes

teenagers act out more. Anthropologist Gwen Dewar also says that, while authoritarian parenting may make a teen less likely to do drugs or drink, it will also make them less resourceful with worse social skills. This is because teenagers learn from strife. Mistakes are widely recognized as more beneficial learning tools than simple suggestions; one study from the University of Exeter found people begin learning from mistakes even before conscious activity begins. It's a survival tool, one that protects us and also makes life a whole lot better. I know none of us can change our parent's rules or convince them to be less strict. We also can't run around breaking the law willy-nilly. After all, I'm fairly certain the cops that pull you over for speeding won't take that study as a reason not to give you a ticket. I'm not saying don't be responsible. That said, don't be afraid to live. Everyone's going to mess up sometimes. It's why we have programs like Diversion and punishments like grounding. Your teenage years are the time to experiment and have fun. It's a time to find out who you are and who you want to be, and that's not always going to be parent friendly. It should, however, always be something you're comfortable with and having fun doing. I haven't stolen anything since I was in eighth grade, not even for another Harry Potter related event. I learned from that mistake, and I'm excited to spend the next three months of my high school career making more. You should be too.

-FEATURE: TEACHER Q&A

good l’ days

we talk to teachers about their embarrassing moments, superlatives, and what made someone cool in their high school

t’s a well known fact that adults tend to hate us teenagers. First, we’re really lazy. I mean, how could anyone sleep past noon? Not only that, but that homework we complain about is nothing compared to the work that happens in the “real world.” Second, we’re irresponsible. It’s completely unforgivable that we occasionally forget what time we need to show up for the music program, or STORY BY JAKE LARSEN, PHOTOS BY that we don’t clean our room. It’s GRACE WOLFE, DESIGN BY CLAIRE not like we have anything else WILSON important on our minds. Also, we are so disrespectful. Only we would be such criminals that we would jaywalk and skate in no skating zones. And of course, the phase of adolescence is an awkward one. I don’t think I need to elaborate. !pparently by how adults

complain about us, every generation of adolescents before ours were perfect or teenagers are just terrible new creations. To your surprise, neither of those are true. Our generation isn’t the first one bent on ruining everything. Everyone, even the adults that complain about us, were at some point a rebellious, lazy, and horribly awkward teenager. Your parents, neighbors, and teachers have been in your shoes at one point. Need proof? Some teachers at Westside were willing to let me interview them about their days as teenagers What you’ll learn about the teachers during their awkward phase is that while some things about adolescents are evolving, teenagers at their core will always stay the same.

What was your high school superlative? “Voted best legs.”

Everyone has the one embarrassing moment in high school. Yours was..? “My parents’ house has a rise in the driveway, so it rises, then it flattens out. I was driving and listening to the radio. I started pulling into the garage, so I turned my radio off. When I did that I wasn’t paying attention, and I hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, and I drove into the garage. The whole garage fell and crumbled on my car.”

What moment in high school pushed you to pursue a teaching career? “The track coach here at the time ... [had a connection] with me [that] made me want to be a teacher so I could connect with students and get to know them the way he did.”

What clubs/activities were you involved in in high school? “I was secretary for FBLA, managing editor for the Lance, and I ran track and cross country.”

What made kids cool in high school? “If you hung out in the English IMC.”

derek fey SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTOR & TRACK COACH

02 19

-FEATURE: TEACHER Q&A

shawn blevins ART INSTRUCTOR & FOOTBALL COACH

What was your high school superlative?

students ideas, and that’s when I knew I wanted to teach art.”

“Most likely to marry who I was dating in high school, which did happen.”

Everyone has the one embarrassing moment in high school. Yours was..?

What moment in high school pushed you to pursue a teaching career? “We had a really small art class in high school, and the teacher wasn’t very involved, so I helped teach the class, and I gave

“During a baseball game, I stole second base. I turned to look at the throw, and I got hit in the eye by it and went unconscious. It was weird to wake up in the middle of the field surrounded by people not knowing what had just

happened.”

What clubs/activities were you involved in in high school? “I did football, basketball, [and] baseball in the summer and golf in the spring. I was also in winter play productions my junior and senior year.”

What made kids in high school cool? “If you smoked.”

charlotte weyler ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR

What was your high school superlative? “Most involved.”

What moment in high school pushed you to pursue a teaching career? “Being a senior in writing class. I had classmates that wanted to look at my papers because they wanted help with their research paper even though I didn’t have a problem. I would help them out and look over their papers when they asked me to. Through this, I became more

aware of what I was good at.”

Everyone has the one embarrassing moment in high school. Yours was..? “I hit a skunk driving on the way to school and parked by the girls locker room. Being at a small school, the smell spread everywhere throughout the school, and everyone complained. I was unaware of what caused the smell until I saw that part of the skunk was hanging on the bumper of my car.”

What clubs/activities were you involved in in high school? “Everything. Biggest was drama, doing musicals and one acts. Also played french horn and was in athletics.”

You weren’t cool in high school if you... “Didn’t have your letter jacket. They were a much bigger deal when I was at high school. At a small school, it seemed everyone lettered in everything.”

-FEATURE: TEACHER Q&A

jeremy stoll THEATER INSTRUCTOR

What was your high school superlative? “I don’t remember, but I do remember being annoyed by it.”

What moment in high school pushed you to pursue a teaching career? “It was a bunch of moments with several teachers that had a tremendous impact on me. In fact, one of them, Maggie Ellison, was my high school theatre and English teacher, and she passed away the very summer I was hired to teach theatre at Westside High School.

I’ve made [my teaching] a bit of an homage to her and her influence on all of her students.”

comparable to DECA.”

You weren’t cool in high school if you... Everyone has the one “Were a poser, fake, or wannabe. embarrassing moment in Especially people that listened to high school, yours was..? top 40 radio, wore new clothes, or “Giving a cheerleader a bloody nose were enthusiastic about anything. [while I was] going after a loose ball. So we all tried really hard to be She was cheering for the other team.” our own unique individual selves.... What clubs/activities were Just like everybody else..” you involved in in high One thing you wish you school? would’ve done in high school “Football (briefly), basketball, soccer was... (briefly), orchestra, choir, theatre, “Study.” speech/forensics, and something

vicki londer SCHOOL COUNSELOR

What was your high school superlative? “Best car.”

What moment in high school pushed you to pursue a teaching career? “I had a great teacher in high school that really helped me with math, my hardest subject. He never made me feel dumb and would never let me say I was dumb. He went above and beyond to help me understand and that

meant a lot.”

Everyone has the one embarrassing moment in high school, yours was..? “My senior year, our boys basketball team made it to state. I was on the dance team, and we got to perform at halftime. It was a huge deal. I forgot to wear my spankies under my drill team uniform and didn’t realize it until after we performed. Not cool!”

What clubs/

activities were you involved in in high school? “I was on the dance team (drill team) for two years, rifle squad for two years, and a cheerleader for two years.”

You weren’t cool in high school if you... “Weren’t on the dance team.” One thing you wish you would’ve done in high school was... “Be nicer to people.”

-FEATURE: ATSC

gotta be them atsc starts off year on a high note

STORY BY AUDREY MCCANN, DESIGN BY CASEY ARRITT, PHOTOS BY ABEGALE HEADLEE

he smell of burnt hair lingers in the air as girls check each other’s teeth for lipstick stains. The boys tighten their ties and adjust collars. Preshow jitters radiate off the performers, but they’re focused. Feet fall still, and there’s silence backstage. They’re being introduced by two young emcees. This is the moment they’ve been anticipating for months. It’s why they’ve been rehearsing. Why they’ve spent the grueling hours learning choreography, and why they have worked so hard for months. It’s show time, and the

is always amazing.” This is a unique show to multiple members of the choir. As always, ATSC has 6 numbers. “Louder” is their opener, “I Gotta be Me” is their second number, and “I Am” is their ballad. These three numbers and particularly the ballad touch on relatable topics. That’s why this year some members of ATSC feel they can relate to the show in ways they haven’t been able to in the past, specifically in their ballad, “I Am”. This is especially true for dance captain, three year ATSC member, and senior Skylar Ricceri. “Once we “The season is long and there hit the ballad, are so many challenges that the everything that follows becomes group has to face.” one hundred and -senior Connor O’Doherty twenty percent Amazing Technicolor Show Choir more sincere and genuine,” Ricceri (ATSC) is ready. said. Senior Patrick Sawyer has been According to many members, a member of ATSC for three years. this show is about expressing your As a seasoned veteran, Sawyer individuality. sees the differences in the current “When I think about it, it seems group that sets it apart from past like our show is all about just years of ATSC. being yourself,” Sawyer said. “This group is so different [than Senior Connor O’Doherty, it has been in the] past because second year member of ATSC and we are all friends, and that’s dance captain, agrees with Sawyer. sometimes a problem, but it also “[Our numbers] kind of helps out a lot because we already recount adolescence as a journey have that bond and work well of accepting who you are,” together,” Sawyer said. “The result O’Doherty said. “Adolescence is

a time to discover yourself, and I think this year’s show captures that. I think show choir allows students to express themselves, which may not always be the ‘coolest’ thing, but [it’s] still incredibly important to those involved.” He also believes having this additional aspect to their show has helped to improve their performance. “The fact that we have a show that we can relate to allows every performance to be genuine and come from an honest place,” O’Doherty said. This year, ATSC has been presented with a new addition to their schedule. With this addition comes the chance to compete at a higher level than any ATSC that has come before them. They will be going to the Orlando FAME competition where they will be up against schools from all over the country to compete for a spot in the top three. If ATSC finds success in Orlando, they will go to Chicago where they will compete in the Chicago FAME Show Choir Nationals. Leading up to Orlando FAME and the Chicago FAME Show Choir Nationals, ATSC has already seen success. Already halfway through their regular competition season, they have won Grand

championships at Viterbo in Lacrosse, Wisconsin and at Ralston Ramageddon. At Viterbo, ATSC was also awarded Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Male Soloist (Jacob Thomas), and Best Costumes. At Ralston, ATSC again won Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Male Soloist (Jacob Thomas), Best Costumes, and Best Band. In addition, Simply Irresistible was the first runner up, with Best Female Performer (Maddie Duggan) and Best Female

Soloist (Natalie Day). Warrior Express was second runner up. After these wins at Viterbo and Ralston, ATSC has been presented with the opportunity to go undefeated for the second time in recent history. “The season is long, and there are so many challenges that the group has to face. It’s easy to start to slack off or lose interest,” O’Doherty said. “But everyone is excited to join and be a part of [the] group and make it the best year.”

-COLUMN: ABUSE

picture perfect one westsider shares their experiences with abuse

STORY BY AN ANONYMOUS WESTSIDE STUDENT, DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN, PHOTO BY SARAH LEMKE

When I was a kid, I was warned about bullies taking my lunch money. When I was a pre-teen, I was warned about the gossiping girls who were supposed to be my friends. As a teenager, I’ve been warned about the signs of an abusive boyfriend and how to avoid those people. However, out of all the advice I was given, I was never warned about my best friend. Starting high school was a scary thing for me. As the oldest child, I had no one to look up to help guide my way. I was on my own, and it was a terrifying feeling. Naturally, I tried to attach myself to older students. I was looking for their approval and guidance through high school. When I met her, I was a freshman, and she was a sophomore. She instantly became my role model. We were the picture perfect best friends. She was the one I went to for advice — the person I did everything with. When we hung out, it felt like we had been friends since kindergarten. She cared so much about me, and she always told me how great of a friend I was to her. I felt like I had finally found a friend I would have my whole life. Like any friendship, we had our ups and downs. She always had problems with her emotions. As any good friend would, I was there for her. It didn’t matter what time of day. When she would get upset, it would suck me into her. I invested all of my time into her just to make sure she was happy. She was slowly taking over my world, and I was too naive to notice the effects she was having on me. The first day she hit me was the first time I’ve ever been truly scared. I was telling her about what an amazing day I’d had with my other friends. She went

-COLUMN: ABUSE

into a rampage; she yelled and punched walls. She called me the worst names possible, and without hesitation, she threw a punch and nailed my tear stained cheek. After the beating was over, I was left with a black eye and a bloody nose, and the entire left side of my face was bruised. I told my mom I had fallen down the stairs at her house. I couldn’t tell her what had really happened. I thought it was just some weird tantrum she threw because she was mad at me. The day she hit me was not the last day of our friendship. We moved forward, and she claimed to be sorry. However, the apologies didn’t stop the severity or the frequency of the beatings. I refused to tell anyone what was happening to me because I was so embarrassed. It sounds cliché, but it was the truth. I defended her when people said she was trouble because I wanted our friendship to work like it had in the past. Instead, I was slowly gaining more bruises on my neck and arms. The beatings were frequent but random; anything could set her off. If I spent time with friends or family, she would get jealous. She would beat me until she was sick of hitting me. I felt trapped in the friendship. She was slowly destroying me inside and out. I shut out my lifelong friends and my own family in fear of the bruises that may come my way. I never talked to anyone who wasn’t her. Finally, I told myself I’d had enough. I told her how she terrified me and that I was living a life I didn’t want to live. My worst fear came true. She went crazy. She began to beat me, her anger turning into something else. She began to make me do sexual acts with her against my will. I kicked and screamed, begging her to let me go, but she already had me in her grasp. She had defeated me physically and emotionally, leaving me more hurt than I’ve ever been before. When my mom finally found out about what was happening to me, it was too late to save me. I wasn’t eating anything, I attempted cutting, and worst of all, I had lost the laugh people knew me by. When her and I were no longer allowed to see each other,

you would think I would be relieved and happy, but I wasn’t. I was hurt and traumatized. I was stuck in a depression which no one knew about except myself. I had no friends to talk to because I’d shut them all out, and I felt more alone then I ever had before. After this happened, I had two options. One of them was staying in my depressed state, and the other was trying to be happy again. I tried my best to work myself back into the society that I’d hid myself from for almost a year and half. I began to surround myself with real lifelong friends who

“She was slowly taking over my world, and I was too naive to notice...” were always positive and always supported me. They didn’t know what happened to me during that time I was with her, but they didn’t have to. They naturally loved and cared for me, which felt weird and exciting. When I felt my real friends care for me, it helped me understand how badly I was treated. This experience didn’t ruin my life. I just grew up. I realized my life is too short to be wasted hiding in the dark, and I was worth more then I was getting. This confidence didn’t happen overnight though. It took months of struggling with my emotions constantly, but I’m so very grateful for the people who always supported me. People can overcome even the worst of scenarios. It just takes a lot of tears, support, and doing your best to be as strong as possible. You may feel broken, but you’re not destroyed. I may not have been prepared for my best friend to be my abuser, but I learned that the most important thing in my life is myself. I am worth more then anyone else’s words or actions, and I’m stronger than I was before.

ART.

LEADERS.

AT HOME.

MUSIC.

AUTO.

NEIGHBORHOODS.

BEAUTY.

NEW HOME BUSINESSES.

BEER, COCKTAILS & WINE.

NEWS.

BEFORE & AFTER.

NIGHTLIFE.

BEST OF B2B™.

NONPROFITS.

BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA® .

NUTRITION.

BEST OF OMAHA™.

OMAHA’S BEST DOCTORS® .

BUSINESS PROFILES.

OPINION.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS.

PARENTING.

CHEFS.

PEOPLE.

COFFEE & TEA.

PEOPLE ON THE RISE.

DIY PROJECT.

PETS.

DOWNTOWN.

PLACES.

EDUCATION.

PREMIER WEALTH ADVISORS

ENTREPRENEURS.

Q&A SPOTLIGHT.

ETHICS.

RECREATION.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

RESTAURANTS.

FASHION.

RETIREMENT.

FINANCE & REAL ESTATE.

REVIEWS.

FITNESS.

SOCIAL MEDIA.

GALAS.

SPORTS.

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS.

STYLISTS.

HOME HAPPENINGS.

TEEN VOICES.

HOME IMPROVEMENT.

TOP DENTISTS.™

HOT PRODUCTS.

THEATRE.

IN THE OFFICE.

YOUNG HERO.

BUSINESS. ENTERTAINMENT. FAMILY. FOOD & DRINK. HEALTH. HOME. LIFESTYLE. STYLE.

the new

-FASHION: THRIFT SHOPS

a new look

revitalize your wardrobe with these unique stores

STORY BY ELISE TUCKER, DESIGN BY ALLIE LAING, PHOTOS BY KIRSTEN MCCORMACK AND HARPER NEWELL

For some people, the hardest thing about high school is figuring out how you want to present yourself to the world. Sometimes, it feels like everything from your shoes to your bobby pins is scrutinized and judged by your peers. You want to be original, but you also want to be stylish. You want to be yourself, but you might not know who that is yet. After a while, choosing a wardrobe can feel like a monumental task.

And even if you do know how you want to revitalize your closet, it can be difficult to find unique stores. Most retail stores have the same look to them: stacks of mass-produced clothing, shoes, and accessories scattered everywhere. However, Paperdoll Vintage, Wallflower, and Lion’s Mane bring a whole new meaning to to phrase “retail stores.” These vintage stores have everything from quirky ties to original dresses, making them the best places to find your style.

wallflower 1402 s 13 st.

At Wallflower, you can wear your granddad’s clothes, and you will look incredible. This store offers everything from charming suits to plaid dresses. Its unique style is carefully cultivated by owners Erica Cardenas and Bryan Frost. “We wanted it to reflect the style of our relatives,” Cardenas said. “For that reason, it brings a since of home into the store.” Wallflower is a local boutique that carries vintage clothing, from artisans that dates back to the 1940’s through the 80’s. One of the best parts about the store is the aesthetic. “We like to do very themed displays and make everything categorized to help our shoppers make the shopping experience really easy for them,” Cardenas said. “Some of the themes remind me of the era and what my mom would like to have at her house.” Wallflower is also one of the few stores in Omaha that makes their own clothing in-house. While it is on the pricey side, these items are gorgeous and perfect for events like Prom. With family ties and a variety of vintage, Wallflower has a home feeling to it and will forever be a part of a family tradition.

-FASHION: THRIFT SHOPS

paperdoll

6107 maple st.

As soon as I walked into Paperdoll, I could tell this store had its own original taste. Each piece has it’s own distinct look. According to Kelsey Riewer, the owner of Paperdoll, the store uses “carefully, curated, new and locally handmade items” to shows its true colors. Riewer also has another interesting way of selling vintage clothing. In addition to the store, they have an Etsy account, which creates a connection with their customers. “Our Etsy store is full of vintage shirts, dresses and accessories,” Riewer said. “It has been easier for us to sell clothing.” Riewer loves how the store has created a world of bargaining and selling. Buying clothing from people is a nerve-racking experience for her, but the store’s charm shines through with each item they buy from sellers. Its awesome aesthetic, beautiful pieces, and wide selection has made it a great place to purchase vintage clothing.

lion’s

mane 6607 maple st.

Upon entering Lion’s Mane, I saw a calm dog standing by the doorway. I looked up and saw a small couch in the middle of the store decorated with blankets. All around were plaid shirts, scarves in a variety of colors, and a small area saved for shoes of all sizes. The hipster style of the store sets it apart from all the rest. This store, filled with plaid shirts and 80’s polka dot dresses, is what owner Rachel Haas has dreamed of ever since she was collecting clothes as a little girl. “We would go to different vintage stores, and I was just fascinated by the designs,” Haas said. “I have had a long love of vintage, and it reflects in the store.” Ever since she was the manger of Francesca’s, another store here in Omaha, she has wanted to own a vintage store that reflected her style and her childhood. “After I managed Francesca’s, it was time for me to move up in the company, but I decided to start Lion’s Mane because I have always wanted to own a store that I love,” she said. Haas’ love for vintage collecting may have been passed down from her mom, but she has Lion’s Mane all to herself, and she wants to share it and her style with the rest of the world.

-SNAPSHOTS: COUPLES

be mine

a sugary sweet tribute to teen love

STUDENTS FEATURED: 01: SOPHOMORES MO DRULINER AND OLIVIA GRIFFIN 02: SENIOR CAMERON THELANDER AND JUNIOR BROOKE CIRONE PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY KIRSTEN MCCORMACK

-SNAPSHOTS: COUPLES

足足-OPINION: TEENS RULE

the me, me, me generations

yeah, teenagers think we’re the best. that’s because we are. STORY BY GRACE WOLFE, DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN, PHOTO BY WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY

ox News once deemed our generation “deluded narcissists.” Now, as we all know, no one communicates unaltered and unbiased facts better than Fox News, so maybe those two adjectives really do summarize our generation. After all, we’re lazy. We just can’t stop tweeting and taking selfies. Working hard for things we deserve isn’t necessary—we shouldn’t have to. We’re the best. But aren’t we? We’re multi-tasking, innovative, and globally aware. How our generation handles technology and uses it to our advantage has shaped us, making us more optimistic and open-minded. To be fair, it’s not just us. Each generation is better than the last. In fact, even though the word ‘teenager’ didn’t officially exist until 1945, the teenage ideals have been around for centuries. In the early twentieth century and prior, there was no age between childhood and adulthood. Expectations of marriage and duty came at a young age, leaving no time for discovering who you wanted to be. Then cars were invented, giving teenagers the ability to venture outside of their usual limits. But the typical teenage lifestyle we have today was popularized after the Second World War. While men were away at war, women and teenagers took over their jobs and became the target consumers. The economy boomed, and companies decided to keep manufacturing items that appealed to adolescents, including jukeboxes, Coca-Cola, and magazines such as Seventeen. For the first time ever, teenagers were in the spotlight. The New York Times published a Teenage

Manifesto listing 10 rights all teens deserve. The right to make mistakes, to find out for oneself, the right to question ideas. This was met with a mixture of agreement and discomfort, and their generation was called ‘the greatest generation.’ And they were, in fact, the greatest generation… until the next generation came along. Through the decades, the song remains the same: adults are annoyed by teenagers. How often do you hear a relative reflect on their glory days, saying things like, “back in my day we played outside all day,” and “we drank water out of the hose if we wanted something to drink!” It’s always a comparative, an us against them. Adults will scrutinize every little thing about our generation. However, the negative facts adults will pull out about us usually have more to do with them. Our test scores are decreasing? Maybe because we are creating a world that no longer exclusively measures intelligence by standardized tests. Internet is reducing our attention span? Sure, but it also increases our ability to multi-task and quickly accomplish things. It terrifies adults that we’re becoming better than them, and that we already know so many things about the world at our age. And we’ll feel the same about our children. With each generation comes advancements and more equality. Whether you like it or not, the world changes with each generation. Everything is only getting better and easier. One day, we’ll be the adults running things, and when that time comes, we must remember to have empathy for teenagers. Because they’re our future, and they’re the best.

-REVIEWS: NEW TRADITIONS

home is where the stomach is family owned restuarants to help teens make new traditions

STORY BY ERIN KRUGER, DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN AND LILLI MARVIN, PHOTOS BY LILLI MARVIN

Every holiday season, my family and I decorate the Christmas tree. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no theme for the ornaments. We blast the Christmas statio as we fend off the cats from eating the tree. This family tradition may seem lame, but it will always be important to me. While the holiday season can be stressful, this is something my whole family looks forward to. This will be something my family and I will do until my sister and I move onto college. Then, we will pass on this tradition to our own friends and family. Many teenagers like myself participate in family traditions. Some of these rituals have been in families for generations, while others are making new memories. However, as teens grow up and spend more time with their friends, these customs may become a thing of the past. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for teenagers to remember the good times with their family, even as they grow more independent. Sharing meals with family is an ongoing tradition for some, and many family-owned restaurants like these want to show customers where the heart is.

-REVIEWS: NEW TRADITIONS

lisa’s radial cafe address: 817 N 40 St. phone: (402) 551-2176 web: http://www.yelp.com/biz/lisas-radial-cafe-omaha recommended dish: killer cakes with chocolate chips

he scent of a classic American breakfast of bacon, coffee, and pancakes filled the air. The old diner booths with their dark green vinyl seats gave me an instant sense of nostalgia. The vintage-looking paintings and photographs of customers on the faded brick walls made the establishment’s character and vibe clear. Lisa’s Radial Café, known as the oldest café in Omaha, was full of lunchtime customers enjoying meals with their friends, dates, and families. By the looks of all the cheerful customers, I could tell this restaurant’s food and service was something to be happy about. Lisa’s Radial Café opened in the 1930’s and derived its name from the Northwest Radial Highway, where it used to be located. Although the highway has since moved, the Radial Café’s has stayed. The only difference is the name, which was changed when it was bought by Lisa Schembri in 2000. Schembri, along with her family and friends, have owned and operated the restaurant ever

since. Inside the restaurant, above two pots of black coffee, was an entire wall of pictures of happy customers from over the decades. The portraits, bordered by a red brick wall, showed friends sharing meals together and smiling. This showed me that a tradition of good service and great food have been around at Lisa’s for years. The Radial Café’s great atmosphere and service was accompanied with equally great food. Some of their famous dishes include the “Killer Cakes,” butterscotch cakes, and the “Titanic.” I opted for the Killer Cakes with chocolate chips. After ordering, a waitress warned me that I would need to box at least half of the meal. The two pancakes were enormous and fluffy-looking and packed with massive milk chocolate chips. The glorious combination melted in my mouth. As for the lunch menu, the pork chops were doused with salt and spice. It was served along side french fries and a biscuit.

-REVIEWS: NEW TRADITIONS

greek islands address: 3821 Center St. phone: (402) 346-1528 web: www.greekislandsomaha.com recommended dishes: chicken kabobs and baklava

ne culturally significant restaurant in Omaha is the Greek Islands. The outside walls, signs, posts, and the curtains are all sky blue and white, much like the flag of Greece. Walking in, I knew their ethnic background and culture was important to the owners. Across from where I walked in was a large, gorgeous painting of the Greek island Santorini, which is known for the cylindrical white buildings with blue roofs. Throughout the restaurant there were photographs of other islands as well as Ancient Greek-style columns that separated the different dining areas. Brothers George and Laki Sgourakis, who are from Arfara, Greece, opened the restaurant in 1983. Traveling to the actual Greek Islands had always been a dream for the brothers. After relocating to America in the 1960’s, the brothers were able to open the restaurant after saving money from working at a meat packing plant. Their family members still work as waiters and cooks at the restaurant. When the Greek Islands claims to be family owned, they really meant it. Two young girls, Sgourakis’s granddaughters, were running around and playing in the back rooms of the restaurant with pink satin bows in their hair. Their presence made everyone, myself included, feel at home and happy. In addition to this, I also felt welcomed by the family’s cultural cuisine. The family has had a lasting reputation

for their food. “Everything is good,” George said. “The pork, the lamb. I love everything.” For our appetizer, we decided to go with a famous dish called Flaming Saganaki. Flaming Saganaki is goat cheese imported from Greece that is cooked golden brown and covered in brandy. When the waitress brought it to our table, she lit it on fire and yelled “Opa!” The cheese was rich and creamy and had its own unique taste. For my entree, I ordered the Greek Caesar salad. It was a large plate of romaine lettuce with roma tomato, green bell pepper, and red onion. Feta cheese was crumbled all over the top, and it was complete with a light vinaigrette dressing. It tasted great. I also tried the chicken kabobs, which had hints of lemon zest. The rice accompanying the kabobs was delicious. Finally, we shared a famous Greek dessert, baklava. The baklava had several layers, which included honey, almonds, and cinnamon. The taste of the baklava reminded me of walking into Yankee Candle. Much like the candle store, all of the different flavors and scents left me speechless. The Sgourakis family has a tradition of Greek culture and food, passed down through generations. Through the Greek Islands, they continue to share their tradition and love of Greece to customers around Omaha.

-REVIEWS: NEW TRADITIONS

pudgy’s pizzeria address: 16919 Audrey St. #110 phone: (402) 884-7566 web: http://www.pudgyville.com recommended dishes: the meat treat and the works pizzas

n the highly commercialized area of Papillion, it’s not uncommon to see stores that look identical or sell the same things. In this bland array of different kinds of stores, however, sits a very unique pizza place. Despite the boring off-white exterior, Pudgy’s Pizzeria provides a unique experience for customers inside the glass double-doors. Pudgy’s is full of color and exuberance. A red and blue painting of the city of Chicago takes up nearly an entire wall, along with posters and banners of the Chicago Bears, White Sox and Cubs. When I visited, the restaurant was quiet as a few people were walking in and out to pick up their pizza. Pop music from the 1980’s played faintly from the kitchen. The service at Pudgy’s was very friendly, which is what it was known for when founder Phil “Pudgy” Cerra was alive. Cerra opened the pizzeria with the help of his daughters and wife in 2003. One employee, Lindsay Lyle, thinks there’s a reason for this reputation. “We are family-owned,” Lyle said. “We

like to bring in many customers and have good service. We like to treat everyone like a friend.” Prior to his death, Cerra was known as the social pizza guy. He would talk to the customers with a smile on his face and aimed to appeal to all ages with an arcade game and a toy-box for children and the young-atheart. Currently, his wife Mary Beth Cerra is operating the restaurant. Pudgy’s Pizzeria is known for their Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas. The Meat Treat and The Works pizzas are popular dishes at the restaurant. We opted for a Chicago-style half-cheese, half-pepperoni pizza. The pizza was a remarkable size, served party-style with square cuts. The best part of the pizza was the handmade crust and the massive amounts of cheese. The Chicagostyle crust wasn’t too thick or too thin. At Pudgy’s Pizzeria, strangers are treated as friends, and friends are treated as family. You can count on the employees at Pudgy’s to brighten anyone’s day.

-FEATURE: CRAZY Q&A

stay crazy it’s not as weird as you think STORY BY TOMMY HUERTER, PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY CLAIRE WILSON

t was 5:45 a.m. when my mom whipped the car into the Epply Airfield parking garage. Our flight was leaving in five minutes, and we were not missing it. We ran to security to find a miraculously short line. I practically threw my bags through the scanner and scurried through the metal detector. My mom got held up at security, but I continued on, hoping I could stall at the gate. At this point, I was on the verge of tears. We had come this far; I was getting on the plane come hell or high water. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t see straight, let alone find my gate, even in Omaha’s modest airport. While I stood in a haze of panic, a man looked at me and simply yelled, “that way” and pointed towards the gate. I ran up to the gate agent. “Is it too late?” I said. With no words and a roll of his eyes, he walked over to the jet way door, typed in a code, and swung it open. “Boarding pass please,” he said. I struggled to retrieve the crumpled piece of paper out of my pocket as my mom walked up. “You know what, I don’t need it, just get on,” he said. I waltzed onto the plane with a look of satisfaction

on my face. It may sound mundane to you, but for me, getting from the airport garage to my seat on the plane in five minutes flat was the craziest thing I have ever done. We teenagers often find ourselves trying to be noticed for doing something. Most of those things are—you guessed it—crazy. When thinking of someone who is crazy, I usually think of the one and only Miley Cyrus. This movie star was living in the ever fading light of her childhood stardom until she began to shock everyone. She replaced her trademark long brown locks with a platinum blond pompadour, and next thing we knew, Cyrus was on the MTV Awards stage performing a sexually suggestive dance with a foam finger. Everyone thought she was absolutely bonkers, but that was the point. According to E! News, Cyrus made $76.5 million in 2014. Still sound so crazy? For the average person at Westside, millions of dollars aren’t on the line, but they still do plenty of crazy things. It’s what we should be doing. At the end of the day, it’s the crazy things we do that make us different. For me, it’s getting to my flight on time, but for you, it may be tight roping over Chicago. Check out this list of some of the craziest things that these Westside students and teachers have done and remember all the wild things you’ve done over the years.

“I rode a camel.”

Freshman Rachel Hrbek

“Got whiplash go-carting in Tampa Bay and had to ride in an ambulance.” Senior Tyler Schneiderman

“Bungee jumped in Costa Rica.” Junior Abigail Lippincott

“Ran into a tree while skiing, got a concussion, and had to go to the hospital.” Sophomore Nolan Dondlinger

-SNAPSHOTS: NIGHTLIFE

up all night

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LIA HAGEN, DESIGN BY ALLY GUENETTE AND LIA HAGEN STUDENTS FEATURED: SENIORS LEAH LEE AND XUEWEI ZHAO

Nothing good happens before midnight. It's a universal teenage truth, the kind spread via social media and gossip the next morning. All our common experiences occur when the sun don't shine: parties, sleepovers, early morning IHOP. Everything just feels cooler at

3 a.m. Life is shinier somehow. Conversations feel more meaningful, food tastes better, and everyone just seems so much older. Craze wanted to capture some of these extra special teen experiences. From crappy fast food to driving aimlessly, these are the weekend activities that define our youth.

-SNAPSHOTS: NIGHTLIFE

-OPINION: SELF ACCEPTANCE

reinventing yourself

becoming someone you’re proud of STORY AND DESIGN BY ALLIE LAING, PHOTO BY SARAH LEMKE

hey all say high school is supposed to be the time of your life. It’s made out to be four years when you go to parties on the weekends, find your best friend, get into the school of your dreams, and if you’re lucky, fall in love in the process. It’s a new place, and you can be whoever you want. I spent my first two years of high school trying to reinvent myself, but not into someone I was proud of. My first day of freshman year, I left the middle school me behind and showed up in my Miss Me jeans and Juicy Couture jacket. I spent my back to school shopping money on expensive pants with diamonds on my butt pockets and threw all my Old Navy in the trash. I figured that wearing expensive clothes would somehow hide where I came from and give off a good impression. I was one of those people that thought in order to fit in, I had to make people think I had a ton of money and lived in a big house. It wasn’t until recently I learned this wasn’t true. Every high schooler goes through times when they feel self-conscious. For me, my insecurity came from the fact that I didn’t come from a rich family. Some kids at Westside live in mansions and get brand new cars for their sweet 16. Meanwhile, I come from a single parent home living off a teacher salary, have two sisters in college, and share one car with four people. But I still wanted to give off an image that I had pockets full of money and could afford all these expensive things. All of this was made worse by my relationships at the time. In addition to having many friends who were much wealthier than me, I was dating someone whose garages were the same size as my house. Even though he never intentionally made me feel insecure about his money, knowing how much less I had still made me feel ashamed of where I came from.

A lot of the time, teenagers feel insecure about who they are, and sometimes being in a relationship can just make that worse. It wasn’t until my relationship ended that I was able to focus on myself and figure out that I didn’t need to compete to win someone over. I realized I shouldn’t have been with someone who made me feel insecure about where I lived or how much money I had. I surrounded myself with positive people who accepted me fully for who I was. They taught me that I didn’t have to try to make my life seem or be a particular way, and my confidence improved in ways I didn’t think were possible. In order to move on from feeling like you have to pretend to be someone you’re not, it’s important to find people who will support you no matter what. Everyone has things that they wish they could change about their lives. Finding people who can make you forget about those things is one of the most important steps in being confident in who you are. So, I left behind the girl in the Miss Me jeans and designer shoes and decided to embrace the girl who shops on the sale rack and thrifts at Goodwill. I was never going to be someone who got hundreds of dollars a month in allowance. And that was more than okay. You can’t live your life wishing you had someone else’s, nor can you pity yourself for not having everything you want. For a while, I forgot that being confident in who you are is really what high school is all about. It’s not about having designer clothes or making an image for yourself, driving an expensive car or living in a big house. High school is about finding out who you are and finding people who make you feel comfortable to express that. And it’s only once you accept who you are and where you came from that you’ll be happy.

-FEATURE: TEEN JOBS

teen jobs

we talk to two students about annoying customers and stress

STORY BY AARON CASEY, DESIGN BY KIRSTEN MCCORMACK, PHOTOS BY ABEGALE HEADLEE

hether teens look forward to it or not, mom and dad are probably going to make them get a job. Teenagers experience a great deal of stress as is, and adding a job can only make it worse. Although times can be tough for teens, getting a job can make sure life isn’t harder for them in the future. Don’t worry though! Being employed opens up an interesting new chapter in life, and advice on how a workplace works is probably one of the most valuable things unemployed teens can get. Students everywhere are currently employed, and have plenty to say about what they do. Hear these teens out so you don’t end up troubled at your future job.

matt johnson JUNIOR

What is your job here at Hyvee? “Officially, I work produce, but that basically turns into all kinds of other jobs. Once I am finished stacking fruit, I’ll occasionally go to the meat department when they need help, but most times I’ll go to the complaint department.” About how heated does the complaint department get? “I’ll get people who are really annoyed some times. Then they project that annoyance on to me. Usually it’s just about some food they bought that went bad. If it gets too bad, I’ll direct the person toward my manager, and the problem pretty much goes away. Other times I’ll get really nice people, and it’s pretty easy.” How is this job experience preparing you for later on in life? “Working at Hyvee has given me plenty of basic job experience. I’ll get a scholarship later on for it, and it’s a good reference for later jobs. Plus the people here are pretty cool to be around.”

levi devries JUNIOR

What is your job? “I work at AMC theatres at Westroads.” What do you do at it? “There’s lots of different stuff I do. At my age, there are three main jobs I can work. First, I can sell tickets in the box office. You have to have lots of knowledge and money skills to do this with all the different payment methods customers could have. Second, I could be in concessions. This is one of my favorite jobs because there is always something to do. Stuff can always be prepped so you’re never bored sitting around. Finally, the last job I can work at the theatre is ushering. This entails exit greeting customers, cleaning hallways, and cleaning theatres after each showing. This is the easiest out of the three in my opinion due to more down time and a basic skill set.”

What kind of stress comes along with the job? “The only stress that comes with the job really is burning the popcorn in the burner. If you don’t remember anything [else] from your training, there’s one thing… don’t burn the popcorn. The smell is awful, and you can smell it throughout almost the entire theatre.” What plans do you have for the future based on your job, i.e. experiences, relationships, scholarships, references? “As for the future, I think I’ll work this job for the rest of high school. It’s really good part-time, and the free movies work really well for me. As I move on to college, I’ll probably focus on school and give them my two weeks notice.”

Do you like working at your job? “I like working at AMC for a bunch of reasons. First, all the jobs themselves aren’t that difficult. It’s easy work for relatively good pay. Second, AMC gives me really flexible hours of when I can work. I only work weekends throughout the school year so I can focus on my classes throughout the week. This is perfect for the theatre because that’s their busiest time for customers. Also, during things like show choir season where I’m gone almost every weekend, they’re cool with me not working for a couple of weeks in a row if need be. Finally, it’s an awesome job because I can see as many movies as I want there for free! I get friends/family in for free as well, which saves me a lot of money from movies on the side. Sometimes in the summer, I’ll just go to the theatre with friends and watch free movies there all day.”

-FEATURE: SOUNDCLOUD

sound cloud students use an online audio platform to create original music STORY BY BRIDGET MIZENER, PHOTOS BY GRACE WOLFE, DESIGN BY CLAIRE WILSON

ore than anything else, adolescence is about experimentation. The garage band is the ultimate cliché teenage experiment, the classic means for amateur musicians to try out their own signature “sound.” But today’s experiments are much more sophisticated. Budding producers and musicians are finding their sound not through garage bands, but GarageBand, and gaining a wider audience than just their next-door neighbors through the music sharing service SoundCloud. A platform used by pop mega-stars and beginners alike, it allows anyone to share their music with the world, including two of Westside’s own. These budding musicians may be amateurs, but they’re more than just your average garage band.

-FEATURE: SOUNDCLOUD

junior soundcloud.com /yungdevv23

devin johnston How did you get started? “I started making music with my older brother, Daniel. All my songs on SoundCloud, he’s in them. One day, he asked me to freestyle with him, and ever since then, I’ve been rapping with him.” What musical talents do you have? “I usually don’t make the beats. I’m working with [senior] RJ Snow right now, and [sophomore] Zhauntel Gamble usually makes beats for us. I usually just write and rap off of [the beats].” What are your biggest

influences? How would you describe your style? “I listen to Drake, Chris Brown, and Lil Wayne. The biggest influence out of them is Lil Wayne because I just like how he raps. I like his metaphors. I try to make good metaphors; in some of my songs you can hear me try to rap like some of those people.” How do you make your music? “I usually use GarageBand. My older brother taught me how to use it. But since I’m rapping with RJ now, he has all the equipment. He just bought a mic, and so I think we’re going to

start recording with it.” Where do you see this going? “I honestly don’t know yet. I know some people that I grew up with are performing. Some of them wanted me to work with them this summer, so I might work with them. I’m also working with RJ, so on my SoundCloud you’ll probably see more songs with him. I’ve made songs with RJ before, but they’re lost because the computer erases everything [when the computers are reset over the summer]. I had a lot of songs on my computer. I’m working on five [songs] that aren’t done yet.”

chris rothe senior soundcloud.com /chrisrothe

How did you get started? “I was applying to a college that required a portfolio, and I had to submit original creative work. I was going into [the] music business originally, but I thought I might as well do something in music [production]. So, I made a little GarageBand thing and threw it all together. I shared it and got a lot of good reception.” What musical talents do you have? “I’m in show choir, but I don’t sing in any of my SoundCloud [songs]. I use a software called Logic Pro X, and it’s complicated — like GarageBand, an Apple-based

software, but it’s a lot more complex.”

and deleting everything I have and starting over with just that one synth. I go from one thing to another thing so quickly — it changes so rapidly. It’s constantly evolving.”

What are your biggest influences? How would you describe your style? “It’s a lot of electronic and hiphop music. [I’m influenced by] Where do you see this R.L. Grime, Baauer… a lot of up- going? and-coming electronic people.” “Originally, I was applying to schools for music business and How do you make your the music industry, but after music? doing this, I discovered that “My creative process is so this could be really fun. It could weird. I’ll start with an a be something I want to do. cappella [version] of a song, A lot of the schools I applied and find the beats per minute to have music production and the key. Then, I’ll start to programs, so hopefully I can add beats and synths. I usually pursue that and see where that end up putting in one synth takes me.”

03 63

-FEATURE: SWOLEMATES

#FITFAM

STORY AND DESIGN BY ESTELLA FOX, PHOTOS BY SARAH LEMKE

hen seniors Jess Noble and Sarah Sternberger were asked what keeps them motivated, they looked at one another and smiled. “Each other,” they said at the same time. You might have seen them on Twitter. Posts about being fit and losing weight with their friends (a.k.a. fitfam or swolemates) have been on their feed for a while. This group of people support each other and cheer each other on

and lose weight. Even though their schedules don’t correspond sometimes, they still manage to find time to work out together. “It seems like a lot of days we find time to work out, like it might be shorter or later, but it’s always better to have her there than to do it by myself,” Noble said. The two are a team. Both of them work at the gym, but they are scheduled on different days. Sternberger is also involved in volleyball, but still goes to support Noble while “I’d say my biggest working out, accomplishment was becoming even after comfortable enough to give [my practice. They have found that body] time to change despite it’s extremely what other people were saying...” important to Jess Noble have someone through the process. You can read to exercise with if they want to about funny stories at the gym stay motivated. or see progress pictures through “Get someone to do it with you, their social media. The two have like someone who knows a lot been training at the gym for a few about [working out] or someone years now. that just wants to start too because “I started two years ago with its a lot better to have someone my dad,” Sternberger said. “We who is there to motivate you and brought Jess to the gym, and she’s hold you accountable,” Noble said. like ‘Oh, this is kind of fun,’ and “If it’s just you, no one knows that we both started seeing results, so you’re not going to the gym, but we just started doing it on our if you’re doing it with a friend, own.” they know, and now you’re a bad Ever since then, they have person to more than just yourself.” been going to the gym a couple The hardest part for Noble was times a week to build muscle getting started. She had tried to

how two seniors changed their bodies and minds

lose weight several years ago but was frustrated when results didn’t come quickly. “In the beginning, a few years ago, I would work out for a couple weeks and think ‘Oh, nothing’s really changing, so it must not work’,” Noble said. “But now that I’ve stuck with it for a year and a half, it’s like crazy how much my body has changed.” Both Noble and Sternberger have seen drastic changes in their bodies since they started regularly working out. Sternberger began by focusing on her vertical, which is the height of her jump. This measure is extremely important in volleyball. “In a year, I have increased [my vertical] six or seven inches, which may not seem like a lot if you hold up your hands and measure it, but it makes a huge difference when you are jumping towards a ball and hitting it, you get a sharper angle on the ball,” Sternberger said. Not only have they found a difference physically, but mentally too. “I’d say my biggest accomplishment was becoming comfortable enough to give [my body] time to change despite what other people were saying,” Noble said. “I learned to like my body in a different way.”

-DIY: UPCYCLING

reinvent and redefine take these four average items and make them your own

STORY AND DESIGN BY JENNA HYNEK, PHOTOS BY MADDIE LOOK AND LAUREN CHESIRE

Soccer cleats were my life. As a kid, I lived in basketball shorts and dirt. I spent all my time on sports, and that’s exactly how I wanted it. At least, until third grade when I wasn’t allowed to hang out with the “popular girls” because I wore athletic shorts. They shunned me, and it hurt, but I kept my wardrobe just the same. That changed when I went to Washington D.C. this fall. I fell face first into a new culture full of fluffy scarves and ripped tights. I loved it. I wanted to be the girls I saw walking on the street. I envied their confidence, and I decided to change my wardrobe. When I got back to Omaha, I revamped who I was. I finally became who I wanted to be. Transformations like these are an important part of high school, and they don’t have to be limited to your clothing. As teens, our tastes are constantly changing. What we like today could be completely different tomorrow. We all get the urge to change our wardrobe or redesign our bedroom; it’s natural. Fortunately, it’s also easy. Anything can be upcycled. Take any object you have lying around the house, give it a new name, and make it your own. Before you know it, the masterpieces you create will be a part of you, as unique as you are.

-DIY: UPCYCLING

record art 1. find a record This is the easiest step, check your parents old boxes from high school for an old record. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also places all over Omaha where you can pick up a scratched up record for just $1!

2. trace out Next, scratch whatever scenery you would like! I chose the Chicago skyline, then use any pen and scratch an outline for your desired image.

3. cut out Finally, using a sodering iron you can melt the record along the outline you scratched. Be careful because the iron gets extremely hot! It will be all worth it when you have new art for your wall.

tin can lantern 1. find a can Don’t worry this is step you can’t mess up! Take any canned good you have in your cabinent and it could be made into a lantern! Just make sure you eat all of the contents first of course!

2. decorate For the next step take a drill and poke holes into your lantern so the light can shine through! Once you’ve done this, feel free to add any sort of decorations you want. From magazine clippings to glitter, just make sure to make it your own.

3. light the lantern Pick your favorite kind of candle to light up your lantern. It could be a tea light or your favorite scent! No matter what you chose it will light up your room.

-DIY: UPCYCLING

tie bracelet 1. find a tie The uglier, the better! Any tie will work, but the ones too embarrassing to wear work best. As a bracelet, these fashion disasters turn into style icons.

2. cut to shape

3. sew together

The average length of a neck tie is way too much material for a bracelet. Cut the tie so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skinnier and shorter to fit the wrist of the wearer.

After you cut the tie to shape, you have to sew it back together. Align all the seams you just cut and stitch it up. Finalize your new bracelet by attatching a button of choice for easily on-and-off access.

sign collage 1. find a sign Be extremely careful with this step. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just go and take a random street sign because that will get you arrested. Instead, go to a vintange store with old school signs for you to purchase.

2. cut clippings Find the wackiest pictures you can. Look through your favorite tabloid for pictures of the weirdest places and wildest celebrities. The more random the pictures, the more unique and hilarious the board will be.

3. add glitter If your sign has any words, you can spice them up with some glitter. Place some glue where you want want the glitter, then sparkle it up by pouring the color of your choice on top. Shake the excess off, then hang up your masterpiece.

let’s get quizzical -INTERACTIVE: FITTING IN AT WESTSIDE

he simple truth is, high school is hard. It’s a time in our lives where we’re expected to be mature, grow as people, and discover who we are — all in four years. In reality, it’s just confusing, frustrating, and disappointing at times. Trying to find which social circle you fit into can be stressful and greatly contributes to the difficulty of high school as a whole. Some people fit into high school easily and find their “people” right away, but not everyone is that lucky. For most, it takes time to

start here:

which club is best for you?

STORY AND DESIGN BY ABBY HACK discover your place in high school. The activities and clubs you’re involved in during these transformative years define you as a person, which means going to a school where there are many clubs can be a blessing or a curse. At Craze, we wanted to help out those of you who are unsure of who you are or who you want to be. We took a note from J-14 and Tigerbeat and constructed a little quiz to help you find your people here at Westside. Take the quiz and find out what clubs are best for you.

shy

would you say you are...

do you have a wild imagination?

outgoing are you competitive?

yes

no do you know what a centrifuge is (do you want to know)?

no no

do you like smoothies? yes

yes

do you care about the environment?

president: junior hanna schlichte, sponsor: gosnell Cosplay. Fanart. Fanfic. AU. OC. If these words are as unfamiliar to you as they were to me, Anime Club is a good place to start to understand them. In Anime Club, meetings are often spent watching anime (duh), which are Japanese cartoon television shows. The shows range from cutesy cartoons complete with kittens and rainbows to gory, blood-drenched horror shows. Basically, anime has a show for everyone. Being a club that potentially anyone could enjoy, Anime Club is a great way to meet all kinds of Westsiders and bond over the Japanese culture and cartoons. Join the diverse members of Anime Club Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the art room and start your exploration into the world of anime.

anime

do you like to act?

renaissance

yes

president: senior kirkland swanson, sponsors: stucky and hough Da Vinci is now the new DiCaprio. Take a journey back in time to when Mona Lisa was just an anonymous girl and men still wore pantaloons. There’s only one club at Westside where this is possible. Renaissance Club, known by its members as Ren Club, is dedicated to preserving the Renaissance era through Renaissance reenactment. The committed members of Ren Club spend most of their time preparing for Renaissance Fairs by organizing costumes and props, practicing their accents, and perfecting their characters. The members of this club attend two Renaissance Fairs throughout the year: one in Omaha and one in Kansas City. Perfect your painting skills, and you just might be the very next da Vinci representing Westside as part of the Ren Club.

science

presidents: juniors peter and nick pellet, claire nelson, sponsor: powers

yes

president: senior lizzie west, sponsor: donnelly Saving the earth isn’t just about recycling anymore. As a school, we need to do more to clean up the community we live in and promote green living. Living Green Club does just that by enacting positive change in our community through posters and educational videos. In addition to creating amazing posters, this club will spend the spring volunteering. Current plans include picking up trash and helping gardeners at Lauritzen Gardens to plant their spring garden. Though this club is serious, they also know how to have a good time. Homemade smoothies are often available at meetings, which are every other Tuesday in room 309 from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Take a chance on Living Green Club; the earth will thank you.

live green

yes

If you aspire to be this generation’s Bill Nye or at least a well-rounded individual, Science Club is the place for you. Science Club combines the coolest experiments from Biology, the fieriest labs from Chemistry, and the most mind-blowing Physics to form a triple-threat power club. In the past, science club has put together some truly amazing projects. One of these was the Ruben’s tube, which is currently stationed in the Physics room. In the tube, flames reflect the waves produced by sound. Science club members also compete at science competitions where they take tests, run labs, and build bridges (literally) to make it to the top. Get in on the action by dropping by the Physics room after school every Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. After all, in the words of Bill Nye, “Science rules!”

-FEATURE: GHOST HUNTING

staying scared ghost hunting around Omaha

STORY BY NIKKI SANER AND LAUREN CHESIRE, PHOTOS BY ABEGALE HEADLEE, DESIGN BY TOMMY HUERTER

t starts with a discomfort, sort of like needle pricks on the back of your neck. Slowly, it grows and spreads over your entire body, bringing a cold paralysis to your limbs. Your breath quickens, and your heart begins to race in your chest. With your body terrified, it begins to set into your mind. Shadows form into hooded figures; distant lights become the glowing eyes of a beast. Run, run, run your mind tells you, but you don’t budge. In fact, you feel your feet take a few shaky steps forward. As terror builds, you cover your face with your hands, but you look out between your fingers. There’s something irresistible in fear. Something that fuels the curiosity to discover what lies in the shadows. It’s not something we’re born with. We used to cringe away from what goes bump in the night. But now, we venture into the shadows, seeking out what they hide. Our teenage years are all about having new experiences, fueled by curiosity about the world around us. That curiosity isn’t limited to the physical world. We wonder about what could lie outside of that, beyond what our eyes can see. This issue of Craze, we’re not letting our teenage experience be limited to the

familiar. We want to venture into the unknown and discover new things by investigate the haunted sites in Omaha. It seemed something was telling us not to visit our first site, Hummel Park. The night seemed darker, the darkness seemed more menacing, and the menace seemed to hang thick in the air. Our ghost hunting crew included Nikki Saner and myself as lead investigators, and our photographer, Abegale Headlee, and our nerves were on edge as we pulled into Hummel. Once inside, we had terrifying exchanges with two other drivers. One pulled up behind us, perpendicular to our car when we were parked at the edge of the park. It moved back and forth slowly, preventing us from being able to drive away. They eventually drove off, and we seized this opportunity to flee to another area of the park. When we arrived there, a different car parked behind us and tried to communicate through morse code. This was especially terrifying considering Hummel Park’s history of both alleged and factual deaths, some of which are quite recent. Trees line the road into the park, and their branches bow down over the road. Legend says they hang over the road because of

lynchings that occurred there in the early twentieth century. Another rumor surrounding Hummel says that it is the site of an ancient Native American burial ground (which is always bad news, if you’ve seen any horror movie ever). Lastly, there is a spot called Devil’s Slide, where several people are rumored to have committed suicide. Recorded murders include that of Laura LaPointe in 1983. She was an Omaha prostitute who was sexually assaulted, robbed, and beaten to death by four other prostitutes. Her body was found in a heavily wooded area of the park. More recently, on May 11, 2006, skeletal remains were found in the park, which were later identified as Amber Harris’. Harris was a twelve year-old girl who had been missing for over five months, and the search for her found its tragic end within the limits of Hummel Park. Given this dark history of Hummel Park, it was a promising location for paranormal activity. We decided to conduct an Electric Voice Phenomenon (EVP) session in the park. We found an open area with two rocks facing each other. Because it looked like rituals may have been performed there

A strange feeling crawled up our spines... at one point, we set up our equipment. During our lengthy session, we asked about the various victims who could have remained in the area. We didn’t manage to record any voices in the session, but the atmosphere changed during the course of our investigation. When we arrived, there was a chill in the air, and we looked over our shoulders nervously, terrified of what hid in the shadows. After the EVP, all the members of our ghost crew mentioned that they felt a strange placidity fall over them when I asked about the alleged lynchings that occurred there. Our investigators described the feeling as being calm, but they also felt an urge to leave the park. Reviewing all of our recordings from that night, we couldn’t find any physical proof of something paranormal in the area. However, the park always has a ghastly chill, and the hairs on our neck stood up. Next, our team found ourselves at a disturbing

abandoned building that made us feel like we were on the set of “Silent Hill.” This was definitely one of the creepiest stops on our ghost hunting adventure. It was located on 72 St., a little farther north than Lake Cunningham. No one’s quite sure what this building used to be; we’ve gotten answers ranging from an old Air Force radar base to an insane asylum. After researching the building on Google, the only confirmed answer is that it was, at one point, an Air Force radar base. One adventure started even before we got out of the car. When we pulled into the parking lot, a strange and frightening feeling crawled up our spines. We sat in the car and saw to our right a building that had a caved in roof and many broken windows. The place was destroyed inside and out. We sat in the car trying to build up the courage to approach the building. Hesitantly, we began to scout the area. We looked through the broken windows and saw the inside of the building was completely destroyed. There were piles of debris from where the roof had caved in. It was a perfect night for something creepy to happen. The loud wind and the dogs howling across the street set us on edge. Cars were also speeding down the street, aimlessly passing by this eerie building. We continued circling the building, in awe of the damage. We couldn’t figure out whether we wanted to keep exploring the property or run home to safety. It felt like we were on the set of a horror movie and our death was imminent. We were waiting for something to happen while we inspected the plot with our iPhone flashlights and video camera. We decided to conduct an EVP to see if we could establish contact with something or someone ghostly. We began asking typical questions about what may have happened here or to give us a sign that there was something in our presence. We didn’t stay very long to ask more questions or for anything to happen to us. Even though we experienced no ghostly activity here, there was an overhanging feeling of anxiety that told us we needed to leave. Not long after looking inside the building, we decided it was time to go somewhere more comforting and less intense. Even though this building raised the hair on our necks, there was unfortunately not ghost activity. From first glance, you would believe there would be something haunting this building, but in reality it was just a disturbing mess.

-CALENDAR

february

STORY, PHOTO, AND DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN

missing kitten comedy Feb. 10 8 p.m.

om center poetry slam Feb. 14 7:30 p.m.

free screening of the philadelphia story Feb. 14 7 p.m.

omaha entertainment awards Feb. 15 7 p.m.

remembering vincent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; responding to hate

screening of oscar short films Through Feb. 26 Varies

ps battle slam Feb. 18 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 19 7 p.m.