Craze Issue Two: Collective

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CRA ZE the collective issue issue 2 //// volume 6 //// october 2014


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TABLE OF CONTENTS 02 - Contents 04 - A Reunited Family 06 - Just Chillin’ (Playlist) 07 - Craze Cribs 12 - Street Style 14 - The Best of Dundee 20 - The Piano Man 22 - From the Sketchbook Of 26 - Wear It Your Own Way 32 - Meaning of Football 34 - Cupcake Connections 34 - Making Meals and Memories (Playlist) 36 - WHS Secrets 40 - Omaha Scenery 46 - Triathlon Sisters 48 - The Best of Legacy 54 - Comebacks 55 - Come Together (Playlist) 56 - Giving Up the Social Media Addiction 58 - Talk to Strangers 60 - Ask a Teacher 62 - DIY Blind Date 02


CONTRIBUTORS

Top row, from left to right: Bridget Mizener, Elise Tucker, Nikki Saner, Aaron Casey, Sarah Lemke, Maddie Look, Ally Guenette, Jake Larsen, Jaylee Johnson, and Estella Fox Bottom row, from left to right: Abby Hack, Casey Arritt, Jenna Hynek, photo editor Abegale Headlee, design editor Kirsten McCormack, editor-in-chief Lia Hagen, editor-in-chief Allie Laing, managing editor Tom Huerter, Claire Wilson, Grace Wolfe, and Lauren Chesire Not pictured: Audrey McCann and managing editor Lilli Marvin

a note from the editors... This issue of Craze, we want you to talk to a stranger. Really. We’re serious. We know the difficulties that come with making friends at our school. Here at Westside, it’s easy to think you know everyone or that other people aren’t worth befriending. It’s easy to get caught up in your own cliques and classes and forget to engage with the rest of your community. When we came up with the theme Collective, it was because we wanted to change that. We wanted to create an issue that would help bring people together. We wanted our publication, which always tries to capture the best of our community, to help create one for a change. No matter how small they feel, Westside and Omaha have an infinite amount of potential. There are 2,000 students in our school. How many have you talked to? How many do you know? You and your friends are not the only awesome people who live in this corner of the world. Everyone here is someone worth knowing. Everyone here has something that makes them different, makes them valuable. It may be hard to see, and you may not want to see it, but it’s there. Go find it. Talk to someone new today, or this month, or this year. Try to make a friend. We promise you’ll be surprised by what you might find. 03


////////// feature: a family connection

1,096 MILES senior moves to connect with estranged family story and photos by claire wilson, design by tommy huerter

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rior to last year, senior going to remain a stranger. In Nathan Hall had never fact, he insisted that Hall come met his grandfather, Phil live with him in his home in Johnson. Not even his mom, Omaha while his family stayed Barbie, remembered what his back in South Carolina. For face looked like. Hall, the idea of leaving his She was only a newborn mother was very difficult. when Johnson abandoned her “I’m a momma’s boy, and I’ll and her mother. Throughout admit that to everyone,” Hall her childhood, they searched said. “We do a lot together and relentlessly with no luck. agree on things me and my dad While they searched, he wouldn’t. We see things the married and had another same way.” daughter. One day, his youngest Despite his closeness with daughter asked him if he had his mother, things had to any other children. He said change. Last May, Hall packed yes, but he that he didn’t know them. The two of them decided to sit down and write a letter to Johnson’s exgirlfriend in hopes of reaching out to the -senior nathan hall daughter he never got the chance to raise. up his belongings and made In her reply, she told them the whopping 1,096-mile Barbie could be found on move from Spartanburg, South Facebook. Soon enough, Carolina to Omaha. Not only Johnson reached out to Barbie, did he leave behind countless and, when Father’s Day came childhood memories and around, he purchased a plane friends, he also made the move ticket for her to come meet him alone. His mother, father, and and her long-lost sister. three younger brothers did not After a heartfelt reunion and join him until two and a half daily phone calls back and forth, months later. Because of his Johnson proved that he wasn’t unique relationship with his

mom, Hall felt at loss without her. “Every time she goes somewhere, I’m with her,” Hall said. “She has always had my back.” Before the move, Hall and his mom would go out to lunch together, grab coffee and doughnuts, and go to the movies regularly. She supported Hall in every way possible and hardly ever missed one of his baseball games. Hall worried that moving in with a stranger, even if he was blood-related, would be extremely awkward. “At first, on car rides it would just be dead silent,” Hall said. “But I got to know him more, and we became comfortable with each other as we talked about anything and everything.” Even after Hall moved with his family into their new home, Johnson continued to strengthen his bond with them. Each week they spend time together at church, family dinner, and more. As time goes on, one thing grows increasingly clear in the Hall-Johnson family. Blood isn’t what brings them together; unconditional love, forgiveness, and perseverance do.

“At first, on car rides, it would just be dead silent, but I got to know him more, and we became comfortable with each other.”

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////////// playlist: chillin’

LISTEN HERE playlist by grace wolfe

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ROOM TOURS

giving you a glance inside three westsiders’ rooms design and photos by kirsten mccormack, story by lia hagen

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n my high school career, I’ve moved more times than I can count. It’s been a constant cycle of half packed boxes and forgetting to file paperwork with the school, of flipping between the homes of parents, aunts, friends, and siblings. Until last year, I’d spent my whole high school career living in halfway houses. I spent my whole high school career waiting to live somewhere that felt like it was mine. That’s why when I moved for what is hopefully the final time as a high school student, the first thing I did was put up posters. I covered my entire room in anything that would prove it was mine. Every wall is coated with postcards and prints, old debate awards and stickers. The ceiling is lined with hundreds of Polaroids, all taken over the past few months. It’s a room that screams “Lia.” Everyone who knows me can recognize my signatures, from the books lining the shelves to the glitter covering literally everything else. What they might not recognize, however, is the way my

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friends shaped the room as well. This year, I’ve hung out with my friends in my room more than I ever have in my life. We’ve spent countless hours laying on my bed or making art on my floor. They know its myriad of posters as well as I do and have inquired after their meaning or suggested additions. It’s their faces featured in the photos, and it’s memories of them that come to mind after a long day at school. While our bedrooms seem like our most private places, they’re also some of the best places to create a community. They showcase our individuality but are safe and private enough for everyone to feel comfortable. It’s here that we have sleepovers, where we stay up all night gossiping or gushing about our passions. It’s here that we return to after the football game or a long night out on the town. That connection between the personal and the public is exactly what we want to showcase in this annual Craze feature. That’s why, in this year’s Room Tours, we chose three students whose personalities shone through their rooms and into their communities.


////////// feature: room tours

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HAYLEY KRUMWIEDE 1

“Going [from] the princess room to the room I have now, I wanted to make it more colorful. Each of those posters have some type of meaning to it. Everything in my room has a little piece of meaning.”

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“Matt Babe made that. It was a huge art piece that my dad did, and he was switching out the art pieces... and I took [the canvas] and had Matt Babe design it for my room”

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“These are a bunch of posters from my track stuff. There’s letters from my dad [that he writes for me] before each competition.”

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“My sophomore year state track meet, as I was warming up about to start the competition, I heard someone scream my name from the crowd, and I looked over as I was on the runway and out of nowhere there was that giant fat head being waved in the crowd of roughly 10,000 people... I just put my hands over my face. I was so embarrassed but couldn’t stop laughing. “

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“Balir Goldstein drew that for me. I found a picture on Tumblr of a skull I liked, and me and her swapped art pieces.”

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“I really like my room to smell good, so I have lots of candles. I always have fresh flowers, and I have incense. I have a bunch of my favorite records that I play, like Kanye West, Jay Z, and Rilo Kiley.”

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////////// feature: room tours

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RYAN LAHOOD 1

“Playing piano is really fun because it is cool to play when I’m bored or to show my friends. I think knowing a musical instrument is essential because it opens your mind to a whole different side of music. Instead of just listening to it, you can create or imitate it yourself.”

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“The guitar for me is a great thing to learn because it can make the most beautiful sounds in certain arrangements. I love it because it is difficult but fun at the same time.”

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“That jersey means a lot to me because Derek Jeter has been my favorite player since I could remember. I’d always wanted a signed jersey from him because he was my baseball hero. The way I got it was that it was donated to me through an event for my dad [because] he was terminally ill. So it has both pieces—one from my dad, and Derek Jeter.“

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“My room overall is just cool to hang around. It contains all my hobbies in one space and I can constantly see the things that mean the most to me.”

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“That is my first home run ball! I hit it when I was seven, and it was a very big moment for me in my childhood.” 10


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VAYDA KIRSHMAN 1

“That’s my Mary Jane! She’s the greatest dog ever, man. She was going to be euthanized just for being a pitbull, but we’re in a rescue and saved her.”

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“Hehe, my flaming lips poster. They rule.”

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“Jim Morrison is my idol. I know every Doors song by heart! That dude has helped me through some dark times, man.”

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“I dig writing lyrics on my walls. Those so happen to be Modest Mouse. As far as the “live love laugh,” I painted that when I was like seven and have regretted it ever since. What a stupid saying.”

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“That is where I get ready every morning — fully equipped with lotions, lipsticks, and dread tools.”

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“Part of my CD collection, from Elliot Smith to Jimmy Page to Cherry Glazerr. The only reason why they’re on my wall is because of their lack of a case. Also, that tree thing smells like cinnamons.”

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////////// fashion: street style

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STREET STYLE westsiders dress it up and get down for homecoming photos and design by grace wolfe, photos by sarah lemke

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////////// feature: dundee

DUNDEE’S DELIGHTS a closer look at a vibrant community story by nikki saner, photos by lia hagen, design by lilli marvin and lia hagen

Located just west of Midtown, Dundee is a neighborhood filled with personality. Every street is filled with art, beautiful old houses, and an assortment of small shops that vary to fit your needs. There are restaurants where you can stop and grab a quick lunch or enjoy the scenery as you hang out with friends. There’s also many shops and a community garden with flowers and vegetables planted by the people who live in the area. It’s one of the most unique places in Omaha, and you certainly won’t get bored spending a day bonding with the people and exploring the streets.

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////////// feature: dundee

Dundee Gallery address: 4916 Underwood Ave. phone: (402) 505-8333 weekday hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. weekend hours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

The Dundee Gallery has a wide display of art made by local artists. They offer everything from paintings to handcrafted sculptures. Inside the gallery, everything is bright and quiet. The sun streams in through the windows, and on nice days the door is always left wide open. In this serene atmosphere, the art is what truly shines. The pieces here are relatively inexpensive but extremely well made. However, if you’re like most high schoolers and can’t afford fine art, check out the gallery for beautiful cards and unique, affordable jewelry.

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Amsterdam address: 620 N 50 St. phone: (402) 504-3223 weekday hours: 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. weekend hours: 11:30 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Amsterdam Falafel and Kabob is a great choice for a quick, delicious meal. They serve falafel, kabob sandwiches, and curry fries. If you’re planning on going down to Amsterdam, a definite must is their curry fries. The curry adds an extra kick of flavor, making them super satisfying. The inside of Amsterdam is cramped with only a few tables and bar stools, but the food they serve makes up for the lack of space. If you want a break from your everyday diet, Amsterdam is a stellar choice.

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////////// feature: dundee

BBB Skate Shop address: 5030 Underwood Ave. phone: (402) 933-9113 weekday hours: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

weekend hours: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

From boards to skater fashion, BBB Skate Shop has it all for the skater guy or girl. The walls are decorated with different types of boards or skater shoes, and glass cases display wheels and other awesome gear. Though the store is small, they use their space well and it never feels cramped. It’s sure to have everything you’re looking for.

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eCreamery address: 5001 Underwood Ave. phone: (402) 934-3888 weekday hours: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

weekend hours: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

When you’re craving something sweet, eCreamery is the place to eat. They serve various flavors of ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. Inside, it’s bright and colorful with a lively feel. Their flavors are all homemade, and they have some you would never imagine. These can range from sea salt caramel to pink guava, but one thing’s for sure — there will always something to fit your taste.

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////////// feature: student songwriting

CONNECTING THROUGH COMPOSITION story by bridget mizener, photo by casey arritt, design by audrey mccann

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or years, junior Jacob Thomas spent his weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings in the gym. Or the pool. Or on the field. He was an athlete; that’s all he knew. As a freshman and sophomore, he suffered through long, grueling football conditioning sessions and early morning swim practices. But something didn’t feel right to him. When I asked about his previous activities, he grimaced. “Freshman year I played football, but I didn’t

really like it,” he said. “Then I did swimming; I didn’t really like it either.” Thomas had been searching for a means of expression through sports, but he was disappointed. There was something dissatisfying about football and swimming, and he knew there had to be something better—something more fulfilling. “I was just trying to find an outlet,” he said. Thomas felt he was at a dead end. Out of options, he decided to sign up for choir his freshman year.

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With no singing background and about his voice at first. But through no experience with instruments, consistent practice, he became it was a last-ditch effort. His more and more comfortable with expectations—to say the least— singing by himself. Eventually, were low. he began experimenting as a solo Instead, he was pleasantly singer/songwriter. surprised. He knew instantly he As a junior, he is now an active made the right choice. Music member of choir, show choir, and was different from football or the musical. He has also written swimming. He felt fulfilled; this two songs: “Come Around” and “I was something that connected See You.” him with the people around him. “If I hadn’t been interested in This was something that allowed [show choir and the musical], I Thomas to express himself like would never have been where I am nothing he had ever experienced. right now,” he said. Once Thomas started singing However, the transition to in the freshman choir, he was songwriting was by no means hooked. Eventually, he became involved in show choir and the musical. These were good starting places for Thomas. There, within the confines of a team, he learned the basics of singing and was able to rely on the singers around him for help junior jacob thomas and support. They gave him the ability to share his developing talents with other a smooth process. He had no musicians. idea where to start when it came But it was the musical that gave to writing his own material. At him the confidence he needed to first, he attempted to recreate try something completely different: the sounds of the artists he was venturing out on his own. influenced by: alternative bands “It’s totally different when you’re like Coldplay and The Fray. But by yourself,” Thomas said. “In the Thomas wanted a more expressive musical, you rely on yourself, so it musical experience. helped me push towards branching That led him to begin off by myself.” experimenting with his own The musical is much more compositions. Sitting in a practice of an individual showcase than room in the band IMC, he started either choir or show choir. As a playing around, testing different new singer, Thomas was nervous chords and lyrics to find out what

felt right to him. Eventually, his musical knowledge became the limiting factor, and Thomas decided he needed to collaborate. Senior Rebecca Erdman and sophomore Alexander Bayles guided him in an unfamiliar area: music theory. They showed him how to create chord progressions and how to manipulate various major, minor, and inverse chords to create a coherent arrangement. “[They taught me] basic technique, but I’m trying to make it my own,” he explained. As an informally trained songwriter, writing is an unceremonious and spontaneous process for Thomas. His lyrics can’t be pinpointed to a specific person or event, but instead are aggregations of subconscious feelings and memories. He writes from a combination of personal experience and what he thinks other people can relate to. For Thomas, songwriting is a way to connect with the people around him. Performing his material is a very personal process. “I’m pouring my song out to [my audience], which is expressing my feelings, but I’m also relating to them in a way,” Thomas explains. “If they can relate to the song, it relates to me, so we’re making a connection. It’s a different way to communicate with each other.”

“I’m pouring my song out to [my audience], which is expressing my feelings, but also relating to them in a way.”

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////////// sketchbook: dj tracy

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FROM THE SKETCHBOOK OF: senior dj tracy

art by dj tracy, photo by abegale headlee, story and design by jenna hynek

Q:

what do you enjoy painting most?

A: “I do love portraits. I don’t know why, [but] more than anything I like drawing and painting girls.”

Q:

what do you use to make your art?

A: “Anything I can find that’s available to me. Sometimes watercolor and ink.*” *pictured to the left

Q:

how long does it take to finish a piece?

A: “It takes anywhere from an hour to upwards of seven plus hours. It just depends on how much time I try at it and overwork it.”

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////////// sketchbook: dj tracy

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////////// fashion: individuality

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WEAR IT YOUR OWN WAY two items, four unique styles story by lauren chesire, photos by abegale headlee and ally guenette, design by abby hack Plaid skirts make me want to puke. Knee high socks are my worst enemy. These are the reasons why I couldn’t handle going to a private school. Uniforms like these define the students as members of their community, but each individual in a group has their own quirks. They exemplify this through fashion, and like fingerprints, no two styles are the same. Using elements of popular fall fashion trends,

we hoped to bring out these eccentricities. Knit leggings, including the ones we used from Roots and Wings, will keep you stylish and warm as the leaves fall from the trees. Flannel button-ups such as the one Ensemble provided for us are a must have. Still, you don’t have to wear it all the same way. In order to show off individual styles within one community, Craze gave these fashion essentials to different students to see what they would create.

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////////// fashion: individuality

Megan Ekstrom Senior Megan Ekstrom combines knit leggings with a casual Led Zeppelin t-shirt, brown ankle boots, and a leather jacket for an edgy yet casual look you can rock any day this fall. 30


leggings courtesy of roots and wings 8712 pacific st.

Melisa Rana Junior Melisa Rana brings back the 80’s with a denim jacket and a gray hoodie. She accessorizes with a gray beanie and black ankle boots. It’s a grunge look you can wear until the snow starts to fall. 31


////////// fashion: individuality

Cameron Thelander Senior Cameron Thelander dresses down the flannel by leaving it unbuttoned with a colorful Jimi Hendrix shirt. He uses this Hendrix shirt and burgundy pants to brighten the muted colors of the button-up. 32


button-up courtesy of ensemble 8730 countryside plaza

Xzavier Fort Junior Xavier Fort keeps the shirt classy and comfortable by leaving it buttoned up with a white undershirt and dark wash jeans. He accessorizes with black Nike shoes to keep the outfit relaxed. 33


////////// Q&A: student section

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS for students, football is more than a game story and photos by maddie look and sarah lemke, design by allie laing

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he brisk breeze that nips at your nose is a small sacrifice for attending a Friday night football game. In a split second, being huddled on the stands with your friends can change into celebratory jumps as you struggle to keep your balance. Touchdown! Friday night football games are some of the most memorable high school experiences. It’s not just about watching your friends tackle the opposing team; it’s the atmosphere. Westside’s student section is known throughout the state as being one of, if not the most, supportive and energetic sections. It’s always fun to look around the stands and see the excitement on everyone’s face during the game, and to be able to capture that enthusiasm is amazing.

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what do you love about the football games?

“I like everyone showing their school spirit to support Westside.”

“I enjoy looking at the football players butts.”

“I love the enthusiasm of the student section.”

Junior Macy Hollingsed

Junior Usman Khan

“I really like participating in cheers and chants to support my school.”

“I like the hype parties after the games!”

Freshman Danny Reinhardt

“I like that I always have Friday night plans and I don’t worry about what I’m going to do.”

Sophomore Jim Hallgren

Senior Jay Bridgeman

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Junior Maddie Duggan


////////// opinion: bonding with food

CUPCAKE COMPANIONSHIP food and the hidden ways it connects us

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story and design by jenna hynek, photo by abegale headlee

hat the heck are vegan cupcakes? I managed to go through most of my life without knowing they even existed. Then, one day when I was sitting in the journalism room, I found myself eating one. It had no flavor and a weird texture that didn’t resemble a cupcake whatsoever. For a split second I wondered why I was eating it considering I am in no way a vegan. Then I looked around and saw eight other people in uncomfortable metal chairs smiling and laughing with me, and they just so happened to be eating vegan cupcakes too. It was the first time Craze had ever gotten together outside of class. I was terrified. I had known these people for maybe two weeks.

We had already gone through the awkward name games and get to know you activities, but I still felt out of place. I was in a class full of people who were so creative and talented, and I didn’t know how to

Strangers become family as water becomes ramen — instantly. fit in. However, at that moment, holding the most disgusting cupcake I had ever eaten, I realized I had become part of a family. It’s pretty amazing how food can bring a group of people together. With its help, strangers can become family as water can become ramen— instantly. Food is something we all have in common. Sharing a meal with someone is

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comforting. For example, if you happen to make a mess eating spaghetti, you can bond with someone else in the restaurant having the same problem. Sometimes we can embarrass ourselves when eating food, and it can help make it easier to laugh together. When your best friends have wing sauce on their face, it’s okay because you do too. Time and time again, awkward food encounters make us vulnerable to open up and share things deeper than the spaghetti stains on your shirt. Even disgusting food can connect people. I realized this when sharing stories with the random strangers who I now call family. I can’t thank that terrible vegan cupcake enough for the most amazing people in my life, the Craze staff.

LISTEN HERE


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////////// interactive: whs secrets

SECRETS DON’T MAKE FRIENDS it’s time to set them free story by tommy huerter, design by abby hack

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rom a young age, I distinctly remember keeping secrets. It started with the Oreos hidden under my bed and progressed to who prank called who in sixth grade. Now, I find myself asking the why? Why do we need to keeps our secrets secret? We’re told from a young age to hide things about ourselves. The things that make us different. Living with everything bottled up inside can drive someone crazy. The thought of someone else knowing your secrets, however, is often too much to bear. People will do anything to cover up their secrets, but what if there

was a way to tell your secrets without anyone ever finding out? When covered by a shield of anonymity, people become much more open about what they’re willing to share. Craze didn’t want students to feel like they had to hold in their secrets any longer. So, we gave them the ability to remain anonymous. Secret boxes were left in the IMCs for students to let go of their secrets. From funny and lighthearted to dark and mysterious, you’ll never believe what we found.

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////////// interactive: whs secrets

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////////// snapshots: omaha scenery

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A NEW VIEW taking a fresh look at your community

story and photos by estella fox, photos by grace wolfe, and design by lia hagen

When I found out I was moving to Omaha, the first thing I did was look it up on Google images. I was terrified to move to a city that I thought of as something out of the Wild West, and I needed to make sure my new home would still feature cars and television. My search showed me the same view of the city from downtown displayed hundreds of times. Although I was pleased to see a lack of dirt roads and saloons, I still had no idea what my new

home actually looked like. After living here for over six years, I’ve seen so many aspects of our beautiful city. We here at Craze wanted to share these views, taking pictures of suburbs, churches, and work buildings to show our city in a new light. These photos showcase what makes Omaha our own community and hopefully make sure we don’t all have to look at just one stock photo.

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////////// snapshots: omaha scenery

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////////// snapshots: omaha scenery

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photo by taylor schendt

CRAZE TAKES ON HALLOWEE N check out our special edition this thursday for tips on costumes, homemade treats, and photos sure to freak you out


RACE TO SUCCESS sisters push each other to do their best in triathlons story by elise tucker, photos courtesy of grace porter

They swim against competitors as their muscles begin to wake up and bike while they’re cold and dripping wet from the pool water. Their feet pound against uneven roads, afraid they just might break a bone. This is what sisters senior Sage and junior Grace Porter crave whenever they participate in triathlons. The Porter siblings have been competing in triathlons together since they were 12 years old. They train together for hours before any event and do warm-ups whenever they can find the time between homework and school. During races, they motivate each other. Sage yells for Grace to keep going as they pass each other, and Grace calls back, supporting her sister. Support, however, is not the only thing they shout to each other. They each have a competitive edge, something that shines through when they discuss their triathlon careers. “Grace is faster than me, so then I try to beat her.” Sage said. Still, their drive for competition never outshines

their love for each other. “In all, we both just support each other and cheer each other on.” Grace said. When it comes to who inspires who, they both answer differently. Sage’s inspiration is Grace, but Grace’s is her older brother. Once during a race, he fell off his bike and was injured. After the accident, Grace refused to go on her bike for days. Her family, especially Sage, tried to help her get over her fear. Sage didn’t want her to stop doing triathlons because she knew Grace would regret the decision in the future. With her family’s help, Grace overcame her fear of her bike. Today, she continues to ride it in triathlons. While their brother still can’t bike because his injury isn’t fully healed. Grace and Sage are hoping to race with him soon. In the meantime, there’s nothing stopping these sisters from excelling. There may be ups and downs, but they have gotten off the rocky hill and are on a smooth path in their race to success. 49


////////// feature: legacy

LEGACY LEGENDS a new look at a west omaha community story by tom huerter, photos by sarah lemke, design by lilli marvin

Most of my time is spent between 114 St. and the Missouri River. I’m the first to admit I’ve never spent much time in West Omaha. I wondered why I had never explored Omaha past the Dodge expressway. So one day, I hoped on the expressway with no plans, a couple of friends, and my fingers crossed. About 60 streets later, we found ourselves at The Shops at Legacy. It was here that I discovered new shops, restaurants, and endless opportunities for fun. It’s also where my opinion of West Omaha changed for the better.

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////////// feature: legacy

Mesh Apparel for the Sexes address: 16950 Wright Plaza phone: (402) 359-1199 weekday hours: 10 a.m. -7 p.m. weekend hours: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Our first stop was Mesh Apparel for the Sexes. It’s not often you find a locally owned boutique that features both men and women’s clothing. You won’t be able to find these clothes at most large retail stores, so no need to worry about someone having the same outfit as you. They have everything from casual sweaters to dress wear. Their clothes are more edgy and ensure you stand out from the crowd. A lot of these clothes were styles I had never seen before, making Mesh perfect if you’re looking to update your wardrobe with something new and refreshing.

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Curbside address: 16939 Wright Plaza email: info@curbsideclothing.com weekday hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. weekend hours: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

I recognized the Curbside Clothing logo, as it is a staple in the Old Market. They classify themselves as artistic clothing, with most of their clothes being graphic tee’s. The shirts are designed by artists and exclusively sold at their two locations. Some of the designs are simple, while others are much more detailed and elaborate. Each tee is uniquely different and totally breaks the stereotypes of West Omaha. The store itself has plain white walls and plain wooden shelves, allowing the clothes to decorate the store. They have clothes for men, women, children, and even babies, and they can all look great on anyone.

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////////// feature: legacy

Firehouse Subs address: 17010 Wright Plaza phone: (402) 884-3972 weekday hours: 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. weekend hours: 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

While it may have four Omaha locations, I hadn’t heard of Firehouse Subs until my trip to Legacy. What we found was high quality food that didn’t break the bank. It didn’t have the fast food feel that many chain restaurants can have. They offer an extensive menu of hot or cold subs that everyone will enjoy. They also have a special menu of salads and subs under 500 calories. Firehouse Subs is the place for cheap eats out West.

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Roja Grill address: 17010 Wright Plaza phone: (402) 333-7652 weekday hours: 11 a.m. -9 p.m. weekend hours: 11 a.m. - 12 aW.m.

Our final stop at Legacy was at Roja Mexican Grill to grab some desert. When you think of Mexican food, dessert usually does not come to mind. However, Roja has delicious classic American desserts with a Mexican flare. Their dessert menu may be short, but it packs a punch. A must try is the cookie dough chimichanga: tortillas wrapped around cookie dough, fried, and served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and raspberry sauce. Split it with your friends and enjoy this one of a kind dish.

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////////// music: album reviews

MAKING THE RETURN story by jake larsen, design by allie laing

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ew Found Glory and Yellowcard, two critically acclaimed alternative rock bands from the early 2000’s, released new records on Oct. 7. Could this be known as the day that alternative rock was saved? It looks I’ll have to be the one who tells you if these bands are still good or not.

new found glory //resurrection POP PUNK

The fact that New Found Glory only had one song ever reach a weekly US top 100 (“My Friends Over You,” #88 in 2002) is ridiculous. Despite virtually no chart success, New Found Glory was known as one of the most influential 2000’s pop punk bands, along with much more famous bands such as Blink-182. New Found Glory is the closest there is to quintessential pop punk. It’s also one of the most consistent bands soundwise, and their new release “Resurrection” extends their streak. However, the new bitterness and aging in their sound takes some of the fun away. This is not all that good for a pop punk band like NFG. The upbeat feel isn’t exactly here, causing “Resurrection” to be one their weaker albums. However, a weak album for a great band like New Found Glory doesn’t mean much. Anyone with even a small taste for rock music needs to check out this album.

yellowcard // lift a sail ALT. ROCK

When they started in 1997, Yellowcard was a hardcore punk band... with a violin. Their style would soon switch to pop punk after recruiting a new frontman in Ryan Key. After finding success and a loyal fan base in the pop punk genre through their hit song “Ocean Avenue,” they suddenly decided to change their style again. On “Lift a Sail” they turned to modern rock... but they still have a violin. Put simply, “Lift a Sail” did not fulfill its expectations. Most songs on this album are mediocre, leaving it with no substance. It’s so average that there’s no way of describing what certain songs sound like. The only thing that makes any song stand out is their power. This is a sure sign that they put a lot more effort into playing than they did writing their songs. If you’re a mainstream rock fan or a lover of all things bland, you should consider buying this. 56


LISTEN HERE playlist by estella fox

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////////// opinion: social media

UNPLUGGED

breaking out of social media chains story by jaylee johnson, design by casey arritt, photo by abegale headlee

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ne day during freshman year, I sat in the English IMC (as every freshman does) when the topic of Twitter came up at my table. Everyone began to discuss how many tweets and followers they had. I grew silent and picked at my fingernails, which I realized needed to be painted. Someone turned to me and said, “What about you, Jaylee?” I hesitantly replied with, “I have 20,000 tweets,” and they all laughed at me. People laughing at me because of my tweet count was not a good way to start my four years in a brand new school. Over the past three years of high school, I’ve become known as @pb_and_JAYLEE on Twitter. I’ve gotten a lot of crap about my excessive social media usage since moving to Westside. People always joke about me having a lot of followers and my useless 11:11 tweets. It started to bother me how people always felt the need to voice their opinions about my life. The endless jokes about my 30,000 tweets were starting to get on my nerves.

However, in the past month, I’ve realized how much teens rely on social media. I walked down the hallway during every passing period, observing my peers, and I realized that everyone was on their phone. In the past, it angered me when adults continually talked about how obsessed teenagers are with social media, but we can’t deny that it has taken over face-to-face interaction. It certainly has its pros, but the cons heavily outweigh them. We’ve all been in social situations where someone won’t get off their phone, and completely ignores everything you say. When your friend constantly tweets things just to get likes, can you honestly say it doesn’t bother you? I saw this in myself, too. I spend most of my day scrolling through Twitter for useless news and sharing pointless things to the outside world. However, you’re mistaken if you think you can escape social media altogether. Sure, you can delete all your accounts, but if you don’t eliminate yourself from society and go live in the woods, you’ll always

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be plugged into what’s happening on social media. Whether it be at school or at home, we’ll never be able to break free from social media for good. Life is all about the newest status update and what’s trending on Twitter. This constant need for new information and letting everyone know what you’re doing at every second started to wear me out. I finally decided to break myself of my social media habit. I’m done scrolling through tweets that actually make me dumber, mindlessly clicking on apps when I have a moment of down time, and constantly tweeting to make my self esteem go up when I hit over 30 favorites. In order to understand what my parents’ teenage years were like without social media, I challenged myself to go without it for three days. Minutes after I held down my Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Facebook apps and hesitantly deleted them, I found myself wondering about what was the latest news on social media. I posted an Instagram of me and my friends before I deleted my app, and now I couldn’t stop wondering how many likes it had. It makes me upset that our society, me included, has come to this point. It shouldn’t be painful to go without social media for one weekend. It makes me wonder what allowed the obsession with social media to get this bad. I went into the three days expecting to be sick without social media. Even though it was not as bad as I thought it would be, I still felt like a recovering addict struggling to get through life without my guilty pleasure. A nagging feeling

housed itself in my body for the three days, which showed me just how addicted I am. Many times I caught myself mindlessly clicking where the Twitter app used to be and being genuinely disappointed when it opened up my alarms for the next morning. Three days may not seem like much to you. You could be reading this and thinking it’s no big deal. But think to yourself: how many times a day do you catch yourself scrolling Twitter without even thinking about it? How many times a day do you look at your Instagram even though nothing new has been posted since the last time you checked? While this still may sound useless to you, it was really eye-opening for me. It made me realize I was just using social

out. All we see are our flaws. When you see a popular girl’s Instagram of her at a party and compare it to your life, it makes you feel bad about yourself for sitting on the couch at home. You’re seeing her highlight reel, but you see all of your background footage. Many times during the weekend, I felt very out of place in situations with my friends since I didn’t have social media to look at like they were. Social media is my way to stay connected with the world around me, so I felt very isolated the entire weekend. I didn’t know all the breaking news about the crime in Omaha or who went to which party. A majority of my friends helped me feel in the loop by telling me what the latest 4-1-1 was at Westside. However, this isolation was not all negative. I used these three days as a way to connect with people I normally wouldn’t have and to step out of my comfort zone. For instance, the people I didn’t know before junior year have become some of my closest friends, just from the weekend I didn’t have social media. When the weekend was over, I asked more people about how their weekend was, mainly because I wasn’t able to see it all over the Internet. If we cared about each other and were able to look past our profiles, the world would be a happier place. We would be in a better mood in the grand scheme of things. Many times we are unable to focus on what really matters because there are so many distractions. Next time you need a change in your life, delete all those silly, useless apps and discover where being unplugged can take you.

If we were able to look past our profiles, the world would be a happier place. media because everyone else was. The worst part about going three days without social media was watching the people around me scrolling through their timelines without a care. Someone would tell me to like their Instagram, and I’d have to say I would like it on Monday. It’s a habit of mine to take pictures when I’m with my friends and to let everyone know I’m actually doing something social. I’m addicted to updating people about my life. This is the downside of social media; we feel the need to put our best foot forward to please people. We all constantly put ourselves down because we see things other people choose to put

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////////// snapshots: strangers

TALK TO STRANGERS get to know your community

photos and design by abegale headlee, story by lauren chesire

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tranger danger. It’s the mantra of every nervous parent known to man. Those slogans echo in our ears as we walk down the street, our eyes darting from one unknown face to the next. But if we took the time to look at these strangers, we’d see their glances are fleeting too. Being from the same city, we’re all pretty similar. Even though these passerby’s on the street may be strangers, they may not be so strange after all. Craze took a group of Westside students and

Students Featured:

junior Anna Wilwerding junior Lilli Bacon

found complete strangers to take pictures with. It may have been uncomfortable or even a little frightening at first, but after all the awkward giggles, we found out that deep down we all share something. It’s that sense of community we all strive for, that small town atmosphere we’ve all seen in Hollywood movies and wished were our lives. As Westside students and acquaintances met in front of the lens, it began to feel like Omaha is just an oversized small town.

freshman Maggie Burdis freshman Oliver Jaros

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freshman Marvin Ramirez senior Njali Kowa


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////////// q&a: ask a teacher

ASK A TEACHER: mr. fjell’s thoughts on life, free time, and fantasy football story by jenna hynek and photo by abegale headlee

A charismatic smile lights up the classroom as social studies instructor Adam Fjell stands in front the white board. The AP Psychology, Psychology and Sociology teacher is known for his dry humor and easy going personality. Fjell teaches in a loose environment where students lead conversations and discussions are always encouraged. He’s that teacher who never thinks a question is stupid— even if it’s about his fantasy football team.

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What do you do in your free time?

Is there anything in life that made you want to be a psychology teacher?

Anonymous freshman “Watch my kids; that’s about it. That takes a lot of my time. I’m trying to run more these days. I think I might do the Lincoln Half in the spring. Fall is always a lot of football — ­ fantasy football, college football. I like to read, mostly just the newspaper ... I watch “Sons of Anarchy” and “Modern Family,” you know catching up on our DVR’d shows. It’s a lot of work to stay on top of those.”

Junior Ciara Seward “Yeah, my high school teachers in both History and Pyschology were some of my favorites. I knew I wanted to do social studies, and psychology is just one subject that I liked not only in high school but in college.”

What would you do if you were not a psychology teacher?

If you could go to any country in Europe, which would it be and why?

Anonymous sophomore

“Germany because of the history. [I love] World War II history. I’ve been to Sweden, so if I went back to Europe it would be to Germany and England too!”

“Yeah, my high school teachers in both History and Pyschology were some of my favorites. I knew I wanted to do social studies, and psychology is just one subject that I liked not only in high school but in college.”

Where do you buy your clothes?

How is your fantasy football team?

Sophomore Sarah Modig

Anonymous freshman

Anonymous junior

“My favorite store is Banana Republic. I like the way their clothes fit. They have good sales. I usually head right to the sales rack, especially their outlet mall.”

“It’s good. I am ... 4 and 3 [as of yesterday]. I just beat Mr. Fey. He has a horrible team though, so I’m not so proud of it.”

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////////// diy: blind date

DIY:

BLIND DATE story and design by ally guenette, photos by grace wolfe

After a bad breakup, friends always assure us there are more fish in the sea. Somehow this is meant to satisfy that gaping hole a special someone used to fill, but all it does is leave us thinking. Where is this ocean? Why can’t I swim? And if everyone else is a fish, why does it seem like I’m a cat? Well here’s a hint: Open up and meet a stranger. We promise, there are plenty of cool cats waiting to meet you.

WHAT TO DO: 1. the matchmaker

Have a close friend set you up. They know you well and understand who you would get along with. 2. why so serious?

When planning a blind date, do something fun. Leave dinner and a movie for later on. Playing minigolf or going to a park can still be enjoyable even if your date turns out to be a little underwhelming. 3. plan a conversation

Think of a couple of interesting questions to ask your date. There’s nothing wrong with a little preplanned conversation to get over the awkward introductory phase. 64


ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT: a word from the matchmaking expert, alison david, from omahalove.com 1. a big no-no

“I would say the biggest mistake I see people making on a first date is talking about the ex— don’t do that! Your past should stay in the past until you know each other better and have started to build a relationship.” 2. keep it short

“For a first date, I usually recommend coffee in a low key environment that allows for good conversation. Maybe split an appetizer or a dessert if you are hungry, but keep it short and sweet.” 3. easy-peasy

“First date conversation should be things that are pretty lighthearted. Your job, hobbies, families, travel plans—these are all safe things to discuss that allows you get to know a little about the person sitting across from you without being too invasive.”

WHAT NOT TO DO: 1. bring a friend

It’s already difficult enough to get to know someone new. If you bring a friend, your date won’t be comfortable opening up and being silly around you. 2. text away!

There’s no better way to prove you’re not interested than constantly checking your phone. You’re here for them—your group chat can wait. 3. gimme those digits

Make sure you want to go on a second date before you give out your phone number. Sure, it will make you feel popular, but you don’t need a creeper begging for your attention every day if your date didn’t go so hot. 65



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