Craze Issue One: Generation Z by Craze Magazine

CRA zE THE GENERATION Z ISSUE

Issue 1 // Volume 7 // September 2015

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Table of Contents // Intro to Issue

4-5

contributors

8-9

rising through the rinks

10-13

bad bitch

14-15

shrinky dink jewelry

16-19

secret style icon

20-23

growing up

24-27

meals on wheels

28-29

raps mend relationship

30-33

political round table

34-35

not your average coder

36-37

alpine inn

38-39

diy pins

40-43

breaking fashion barriers

44-49

raw fashion show

fighting authority

52-53

surfside

54-55

finding acceptance

56-57

future funk

letter FROM THE EDITORS...

alking into the journalism room for the first time this year was horrifying. Up until now, we’ve been part of the common staffers. Now it’s different. Together, we walked into the room as leaders of our publication. With a bag full of new responsibilities and a staff larger than ever before…you could say we were in way over our heads. After looking each other in the eyes and giving the ‘we can do this’ slap on the shoulder, we faced our bright-eyed staff for the first time. As we began brainstorming ideas for this issue one thing became clear: we weren’t same staff as we were before. We are the new era of Craze. We may be full of eccentric new ideas, but journalistically we are the same. We’re bringing you a new wave of journalism right from the hearts of our generation, Generation Z. The times of watching from the sidelines are over; we’re the leaders, the young adults. Yes, our age group is seen as the lazy, media addicted, angsty teenagers, but boy do we kick ass.

jenna and kirsten

CONTRIBUTORS...

Contributors // Intro to Issue

editors-in-chief: kirsten mccormack and jenna hynek DESIGN EDITOR: claire wilson PHOTO EDITOR: abegale headlee MANAGING EDITORS: lauren chesire and audrey mccann COPY EDITORS: bridget mizener and grace wolfe STAFF: aaron casey

abby hack anne stepanek carly chesterman collin koory elise tucker emma kopplin

emma molden erin kruger harper newell kati stanzel kyndall goodwin lilli marvin madeline look

megan murray monica jansky nikki saner sabrina severin stephanie dong

GENERATION Z [jena-ray-shun_zee]: 1. term used to describe the era of young adults raised by the internet 2. grouping of children born in the period after the finale of “full house” and before the premiere of “the suite life of zack and cody”

Generation Z // Intro to Issue

Playlist by Grace Wolfe

. . . And you’re watching disney channel Burnin’ Up // Jonas Brothers

Come Clean // Hilary Duff

Potential Breakup Song // Aly & AJ

Strut // The Cheetah Girls

Come Back to Me // Vanessa Hudgens

Nobody’s Perfect // Hannah Montana

This Is Me // Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas

Breaking Free // Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens

RISING THROUGH THE RINKS FRESHMAN THRIVES ON U19 HOCKEY TEAM story by lilli marvin, design and photos by claire wilson

early every high schooler in America relishes their Friday nights, counting down the days until the first football game. Students cram into gyms bursting with school spirit every winter to support their basketball teams. With spring comes the promise of days spent out on the turf, cheering on your soccer team to state championships. Sports are a defining factor of every high schooler’s experience. One sport however, tends to take a back burner completely. Hockey, although growing a following, is an oft-forgotten sport, lacking a place in many high school locker rooms. Freshman Natalie Vanderloo competes nationally on a U19 women’s hockey team; she has been going head to head with collegiate teams since the age of 14. Since the moment she first stepped onto the ice, Vanderloo has been in love with hockey. Her dad, who grew up with the hockey culture in Minnesota, first introduced her to the sport, and thus he spurred Vanderloo’s discovery of her passion. Despite the nearly six-year age gap between her and her teammates, Vanderloo has managed to conquer the divide and rise through the ranks of elite travel hockey. Vanderloo’s team, the Feature // Natalie Vanderloo

Lady Junior Lancers, has squared up against college teams when Vanderloo herself was competing as a mere middle-schooler. But Vanderloo found as soon as she skates out onto the rink, everyone’s differences disappear and she is a leader on a strong, unified team, propelling them to win titles such as the Nebraska State Tournament. Of course, state titles aren’t just handed to teams. Hockey is a year-round sport, and the players are constantly training both on and off the ice. When the team isn’t running drills on the rink, they are involved in off-ice workouts. Vanderloo participates in routines consisting of running, circuits, and various bodyweight exercises designed to make them stronger competitors. The summer season brings an intensive 12-week powerskating course, where players focus solely on improving skating technique. As she has progressed in her training, Vanderloo has played positions all over the rink. Forward, wing, defender, even goalie—you name it and Vanderloo has played it. Of all the positions she’s played, she favors the defensive side of the puck. It allows her to control the ice and assume responsibility for carrying the team to victory. But being an iron curtain comes with risks, especially for young

Vanderloo competing against girls and guys who are often as many as five years older than her. A year ago, Vanderloo shattered her tailbone. She had to sit on the bench for two months and to underwent physical therapy for even longer. Injuries like these aren’t uncommon on the ice; Vanderloo’s injury attests to the rough nature of hockey. She’s witnessed screaming matches, violent fights, and even her own teammates thrown out of games. Generally a quiet person, hockey forces Vanderloo to come out of her shell and assert herself. Vanderloo isn’t one to shy away from an opponent—she has gotten into scuffles with competitors of all sizes and genders. Hockey truly has empowered Vanderloo to step up as a player and a person. Working relentlessly for hours at a time, she’s driven by a true love of the game. “[Hockey] enables me to be a part of something,” she said. It’s this love that drives her to throw out all expectations and norms of the sport. Whether it be a five year age divide, broken tailbone, or intimidating opponent, Vanderloo is always up for the challenge. She’s making her own rules, setting her own records. Vanderloo is determined to be on top, and at this rate, she’ll be there in no time.

Playlist by Grace Wolfe

Bad Girls Do it Well BO$$ // Fifth Harmony

It’s My Life // No Doubt

My Prerogitive // Britney Spears

Homewrecker // Marina and the Diamonds

Bad Girls // M.I.A

Partition // Beyoncé

London Bridge // Fergie

Criminal // Fiona Apple

Queen B How to be a bad bitch story and illustrations by lauren chesire, design by anne stepanek

iddle school was the first time I was described as a cold-hearted bitch. As we all know, middle school is totally the peak of confidence and security in who we are, so I took it really well. I remember laughing it off, pretending it didn’t bother me, but for the rest of the day I turned it over and over in my head. Where did he get that idea? What did I do wrong? No results came from my relentless self-interrogation. I couldn’t figure out what caused people to see me that way, so I embraced it. If people thought I was a cold-hearted bitch, I was going to think it too. It’s easy to act tough if nothing terrible has ever happened to you. I used to walk through the halls hating everything because it was easier than trying to care. I wielded my apathy as a shield; if I didn’t care about anything, nothing could hurt me. It was a system I developed way back in middle school and it always worked. So, I lived by it. But that changed. Over the summer, I pried open the steel cage around my heart, and I tried the whole “emotion” thing. I had great friends. I felt comfortable. I

felt safe. Instead of speaking cryptically to hide how I really felt, I was open about my emotions. I cared about the people around me, and I told them so. I faced one of my biggest fears and set down my weapons of mass indifference. It was hard to do at first, but I shared everything. The results were beautiful. I felt like a different person: blissful, buoyant, and generally happy. It was an amazing couple of weeks. What followed is what you’d expect: me curled around my laptop, the closing scenes of “Man on the Moon” playing on screen, and me lost in desperate sobs. Looking back on it, I’m not surprised I had my heart broken. Somewhere along the way I forgot the reason that I kept myself from caring was because it kept me safe. Without it, I was vulnerable. When I was so open, it was much easier for me to get hurt. It only took me a few days to decide to go back to my old ways. After all, even if I wasn’t exactly happy before, I wasn’t in pain. I tried to close myself off from the world again, but I realized I didn’t need

to anymore. The pangs of heartache weren’t as bad as the constant fear of getting hurt, but now that I’ve been through it, the fear’s gone, and the pain’s fading too. I always assumed the key to being confident and strong was to close yourself off so nothing could bother you. But I was wrong. Being a bad bitch isn’t about being cold hearted. It’s the opposite. It’s about letting what hurts you in—all of it—and feeling it, experiencing it. Knowing it’ll make you stronger. Understanding that it’ll make you better. Take the things that are supposed to break you— tragedy, agony, loss—and make them work for you. We’ve done it before and we can do it again. There are badass women from history and pop culture (not as many as I’d like, but I digress), and we should constantly learn from them. You have it in you. You deserve the best for yourself. Don’t let the bad stuff drag you down; let the bad stuff shape you. Let it make you the baddest bitch you can be. Don’t let the bad stuff drag you down; let the bad stuff shape you. Let it make you the baddest bitch you can be. Opinion // Queen B

I’m terrified to know that Malala is my age. I’m terrified because she is so capable: she’s out there fighting for education, speaking at the UN, and making a difference. At a young age, the Pakistani native began speaking about the importance of education, specifically for girls. The Taliban responded by sending a gunman to assassinate her on her way home from school. She was shot in the head, but survived. Now she continues to speak for the women’s rights and education. Malala is only 18. She’s hunted by the Taliban, but that doesn’t stop her. She knows what’s right and that’s what drives her.

yo u s a a l fz a

Quote to remember: “They thought that the bullet would silence us, but they failed... Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.”

Hillary Clinton is the leading representative for the Democratic Party in the 2016 election, but even if she won, she wouldn’t be the first female president. Edith Wilson was. Yes, she was. I will fight you on that. True, she was never elected, but after Woodrow Wilson’s health declined severely in late 1919, the First Lady assumed the mantle of the presidency. She wrote that she only determined the importance of issues so she could bring them to her husband, but with Woodrow’s declining state she had to be making some crucial political decisions. She cared for Woodrow until the end, and even after, by making sure biographers wouldn’t tarnish his legacy. She worked hard because of her love for Woodrow, and she’s a shining example that being a badass doesn’t mean you have to be an emotionless shell of a person. Quote to remember: “I will stand by you— not for duty, not for pity, not for honor—but for love—trusting, protecting, comprehending love.”

h wilson t i ed

rix kidd t a o be

Speaking of tragedy and hardship, it can’t get much worse than what happened to our beloved Bride. Disappearing after a failed hit, Beatrix Kiddo abandoned her career as an assassin. She started a new life in hiding and was about to be married when the Deadly Viper Assassin Squad (for whom she formerly worked), headed by her former lover, Bill, finds her. They opened fire on the wedding rehearsal, an event that gets remembered as The Massacre at Two Pines Chapel. Surviving a point-blank bullet, she then went to avenge the death of her unborn child and the attempt on her own life. She’s an unstoppable force of nature. She single-handedly took on the Crazy 88, a gang of samurais led by O-Ren Ishii. Beatrix willed her paralyzed limbs into compliance. She punched her way out of a coffin under six feet of earth. Despite incredible odds, she never backed down. In the end, she fought for revenge wanted and got it, not letting a single thing stop her. Quote to remember: “I roared. And I rampaged. And I got my bloody satisfaction.”

m i n aj i k c i I can’t help but love Nicki. Nicki isn’t a traditional role model (yes, her raps have foul language and sometimes she’s scantily-clad, get over it), but she’s a beacon of self-confidence. She doesn’t let anyone mess with her. Like at the VMAs with Miley Cyrus, she calls out her critics and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself at her concerts. She encourages girls to go through school, make their own money, speak their minds and be confident in who they are. Her driving passion is to be known as a rapper—not a female rapper. She’s one of the few voices in pop culture who is constantly telling girls to love themselves for who they are, even if it’s not in a conventional way. Quote to remember: “I just want women to always feel in control. Because we’re capable. We’re so capable.”

Opinion // Queen B

Shrinky Dink Jewelry Shrink your worries away story and photos by harper newell, design by megan murray To some people, bliss could be endless chocolate and Netflix. To others, it could be a LUSH bath bomb and a great book. To me, it means sunlight coming in from the windows, my favorite band playing in the background, and spending hours making art. Under the smell of cooked plastic and Sharpies, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a warm buzz of creative energy in the air. Shrinky Dink jewelry is as a fun DIY craft and a cool way to express yourself by making your very own designs and accessories. If you follow this guide, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a pro at making Shrinky Dink jewelry in no time.

what you need

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Toaster oven or conventional oven set to 325 degrees Brown paper bag Sharpies Hole punch Scissors

DIY // Shrinky Dink Jewelry

6. 7.

Jump rings Necklace chain and/or wires for earrings 8. Needle-nose pliers 9. Shrink plastic sheets 10. Clear acrylic sealer spray (optional)

Begin by setting your oven to 325 degrees. The oven will be heating up while you’re preparing your Shrinky Dinks.

Get out your shrink plastic sheets, and start to draw whatever you want for your pendants and earrings. Keep in mind the design will be around one-third of the original size when shrunk, so don’t draw too small. Once the design is ready, cut it out with scissors. Use the hole punch to create a hole in the top of the design; you’ll need it in order to turn the designs into jewelry later. Make sure to do this part before the design goes in the oven, because you won’t be able to add a hole later.

Now your charms are ready to bake. Place the shrink plastic on the brown paper bag. Fold a section of the bag to make it easier to pull out of the oven. A couple seconds after putting it in the oven, the shrink plastic will start wriggling. Don’t worry, that’s supposed to happen. Once the shrink plastic lies flat again, it’s done! Quickly remove it from the oven.

To turn the Shrinky Dink charms into jewelry, start by separating the ends of a jump ring with needle-nose pliers. If you’re making a necklace, slide the jump ring through both the hole and through a link in the necklace chain, then reconnect the jump ring with the pliers. For earrings, separate the ends of the jump ring, slide it through the hole in the charm and the hole in the earring wires, and reconnect the ends.

FASHION FORWARD

finding inspiration in our favorite child stars story by grace wolfe, illustrations by kirsten mccormack design by abby hack and kirsten mccormack

he minute my mom started letting me dress myself, I went wild. Bedazzled jean skirts littered my closet and brightly colored leggings overflowed from my drawers. My style mirrored my personality. I was loud and obnoxious; I tried to make absolutely everything about me, and I wore this confidence (literally) on my sleeve. As I strutted through elementary school, I held my head high—the hallway was my runway. As much as I’d like to claim to be a child prodigy of fashion, I didn’t come up with these looks on my own. I was inspired by the Disney shows of the mid2000s. I found every character endearing—someone to look up to. In elementary school I was carefree, stylish (or so I thought), and happy with how I presented myself. Then came middle school. Classes were harder, I knew fewer people, and I no longer felt important. I figured it was high time I begin fitting in, that I begin wearing the same

Fashion // Secret Style Icon

jeans and t-shirts as everyone else. My once rocksolid relationship with Disney was lost. I no longer felt connected to the characters. Disney characters never had to grow up, but I did. But somehow, at the end of eighth grade, I let go of my fear of being unique. I came to terms with the fact I was growing up. Instead of shrinking away, I embraced the changes. It’s easy to lose touch with your childhood, especially when life begins to spread you thin. Between balancing schoolwork, a social life, and sleep, your world becomes a whole lot harder. Suddenly, there’s no more time to goof off, and you’re too tired in the morning to put on a killer outfit. I find courage in fashion, and I owe it all to Disney. If life has you down right now, I suggest taking a page from the Disney stylebook to remind yourself you’re still a kid—well, a kid with body hair and ten times the responsibilities, but you know what I mean.

LIZZIE MCGUIRE

forgotten Disney gem, Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff), constantly rocked my fashion world. She taught me that, yes, you can pair that tie-dye tube top with those paisley riding pants. Because, why not? Everyone loved Lizzie and she had a dope friend group. Of course, we can’t forget Lizzie’s best friend Miranda, who always sported clunky accessories. Even more outrageous than the jewelry, nothing was more iconic than the hairstyles in this show. Lizzie knew

style highlights 1. extravagant hairstyles 2. mismatched prints 3. outrageous jewelry her way around a crimping iron, while Miranda always opted for a simpler look, such as pigtails or a bucket hat. To achieve these looks, go to any Goodwill and pick out something that catches your eye. You should ask yourself, does this borderline on ugly? If the answer is yes, get it. Maybe being a literal beacon of loud prints isn’t your idea of getting in touch with childhood, but wearing something so ridiculous is sure to make you feel like a fourth grader again.

HANNAH MONTANA

s we all know, Miley Stuart (Miley Cyrus) had the best of both worlds. At school, she’s your girl next door. On stage, she’s the girl next door in a blonde wig and bedazzled jeans. Specifically in the earlier seasons of the show, there are some shining pieces of fashion excellence—for example, skirts over jeans. Let

Fashion // Secret Style Icon

style highlights 1. skirts over jeans 2. ruffles 3. metallic jackets me repeat myself: skirts over jeans. The key to Hannah’s style is lots of layers. It was easy to recreate this style in 2009, but you’ll have to do some digging now. Try getting anything from Claire’s, or revisiting some of your old haunts at the mall. Maybe Miley Cyrus should take notes on Hannah’s style to revisit her prime.

WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE

arry Potter is so overrated. Let’s talk about Wizards of Waverly Place, the true teen wizard production. The styles in Waverly Place are much more practical than those in other Disney shows. Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) dresses like any normal teen would, with the exception of her affinity for scarves. Her style tells us she’s quick-witted and always up for some fun. You can find clothes for

style highlights 1. scarves 2. bold patterns 3. themed outfits Alex’s look at stores like T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. But enough about Alex. We all know who the true style icon of the show is: Alex’s best friend Harper. I can’t get enough of her themed homemade outfits. Feeling the summer vibe today? Here, wear this watermelon dress with matching hat and bag. Every day is time for a costume; we could all take a few notes from Harper’s style.

FROM THROW UP TO GROWN UP BIG KIDS REMEMBERING THE LITTLE THINGS FROM THE PAST story by lauren chesire, photos and design by abegale headlee, madeline look, and sabrina severin students featured: senior candace quaites, senior emma limas, junior spencer salem

he first thing I felt was denial. They couldn’t have, I thought, my blood pressure rising. My eyes searched the wall, darting back and forth. No. No, they wouldn’t. I reached out and touched the cold, gray brick. The stone was worn and smooth under my fingertips. I could feel anger building up. As I stepped back, more of the wall entered my field of vision forming a labyrinth of brickwork. The only thing interrupting the dull grid of bricks was a rusted air vent. It used to be painted to look like a cart, pulled by a young prairie girl across the green, brush-stroked plain. That girl was the first thing that caught your eye when you looked at the mural on the side of Prairie Lane Elementary. The sky above the girl’s bonnet was blue, her back turned to where the sky darkened with storms and a tornado dotted the horizon. All throughout elementary school, I began to appreciate its overall sense of serenity. It made me fall in love with that mural. And then they took it down. I guess it was just too expensive to keep up. Maybe I was the only student who really liked it. No one seemed to care when they began chipping and power-washing the paint off the wall. More and more of the prairie gave way to unpainted brick wall until one day all the paint chips piled up like fallen leaves at the base of the building. Now all that’s left of that mural is the memory of it. But staring at the blank wall wouldn’t bring the mural back. Frustrated as I felt, that cherished memory was gone and there was nothing I could do about it. Everything changes, even the constants in our beloved childhood memories. Where you used to gaze in wonder, now there’s just gray brick walls. It’s part of growing up; you can’t outsmart it. You can’t trick your way out of it. Things are different now, for better or for worse. In this photo essay, Craze went back to our old elementary schools and we tried to do those things we loved as kids. But no matter how hard we tried, it was obvious we can’t ever go back. It’s just not the same.

Photo Essay // Kid Things

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Photo Essay // Kid Things

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k’s b

west center Road.

84TH STREET

r on whe o v el la

FOOD TRUCKS story by emma kopplin and grace wolfe, photos by abegale headlee, design by abby hack

uick, mobile, and certified by the FDA, they’re coming to serve you delicious food from back alleys and parking lots. Food trucks are a trend coming to Omaha, bringing authentic cuisine and cultural influences with them. Their food isn’t just a meal, but an experience.

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24TH STREET

chi ri

L STREET Feature // Food Trucks

LA CHIRIPA 2323 L St.

Although there are great Mexican restaurants all around town, the most authentic are located exclusively in South Omaha. One food truck, La Chiripa, is a local establishment. The menu—completely in Spanish, of course—offers all the traditional Mexican favorites. With so many options I was tempted to branch out and get something exotic, like la lengua (beef tongue). But, because I’m lame, I decided to stick with something more familiar. My order—four soft shell masterpieces—came wrapped up in a plastic box, and each was better than the last. What makes La Chiripa so delicious is its simplicity; nothing fancy is added to distract from the taste. I know the idea of eating Mexican food from a truck off the interstate is a bit unsettling, but La Chiripa reminds us that some of the best food might come from unexpected places.

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PERK’S BBQ 8457 West Center Rd. On the outside, it doesn’t look very impressive. But people don’t go to Perk’s BBQ for its looks. The rusty, well-traveled food truck used to be a shining yellow, but has been worn down to a dull mustard. This repurposed van hauls a hefty cast-iron smoker that screeches as its doors open. A pleasing, peppery aroma hangs heavy around the truck. After talking with the owners, they divulged a few of their barbecue secrets. Letting their meat smoke all day, and adding their signature wet sauce afterwards, Perk’s makes some of the best food in the Omaha area.

Feature // Food Trucks

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DEAR FATHER... STUDENT ’S RAP LYRICS HELP MenD Father-Son RELATIONSHIP story by jenna hynek, design by grace wolfe, photo by abegale headlee

ne moment was all it took to change junior Emmanuel James’ life forever. Everything around James was silent. Like watching a daytime soap on mute, his parents’ lips moved, but no sound came out. Where he should have heard their explanations, there was nothing. Each word dissipated into the air between them. He could only remember one sentence from an hour filled with crying and a so-called conversation: “Son, your mom and I are getting a divorce.” All it took was a single uttered sentence, and it was all going to change. Holidays, school functions, and bedrooms—all split. James’s family was now torn in two and so was he. To cope with his new lifestyle, James looked to his one true love: music. After being inspired by his older brother to pick up rapping, James was immediately addicted and quickly became a hit on SoundCloud. In May of 2015, his song “Last Call” peaked at 685 plays— the most James has ever received on a single song. “I try to go over the bar and over expectations,” James said. “I just want to make music everyone will like.” As word spread around school about James and his music, there came a surge of popularity and love from his family and peers. However, the feeling of support from his supporters was always cut short in James’s mind due to the underlying messages in his lyrics.

Feature // Emmanuel James

One song James wrote, “Dear Father,” directly confronts the struggles he faced while dealing with the separation of his parents. The lyrics mirror the feelings that James struggled to put into words whenever the divorce was brought up. “After the divorce of my parents, my father just moved away,” James said. “I was left heartbroken with no one to look up to.” Music began to fill the void in James’ heart where he believed a perfect family should fit. He began to write more original lyrics and immersed himself in his art. After a while, things were an imperfect kind of normal again. Holidays were still holidays, school functions were still school functions, and his bedroom was still his bedroom. Life settled down and so did his negative emotions towards his father. “I just had to face the fact that my parents weren’t going to be together,” James said. “I had no reason to be mad at him.” James’ father is still his inspiration. When rifts form between parents and their kids, in the end everyone still loves each other. As much as teenagers don’t want to admit it, they still love their parents even though they did wrong. James and his father’s relationship is now stronger than ever thanks to the power of the meaning behind the lyrics of the aspiring rap artist’s songs.

“LAST CALL”

“I was basically telling that people fall under drug and alcohol addiction and abuse it so much. You don’t need alcohol or drugs to make you feel better, people use that as an excuse to run away from pain and struggles. I say that there’s more to life and to just face your problems.”

“dear father”

“Basically it’s really talking about how I miss [my father] so much and how I really needed him after the divorce. I was just completely lost without him.”

“as me”

“It’s saying how confident I am and how I’m somewhat better than everyone else. I’m not cocky, I’m saying I can prove I’m better than everyone else. I can overtop [sic] any opponent.”

“pesos”

“It’s not a serious song, it’s just one I wanted to experiment with. I really vibed with the beat and I just kept writing to it. it’s like a dark and creepy kind of song about weekend activities.”

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THE

L A C I T I POL ROUND TABLE

Teens Get Political story by audrey mccann and elise tucker, photos by lillli marvin, design by stephanie dong

he 2016 election: a heated race filled with political royalty, bad toupees, and not a whole lot of sense. For this generation of newly minted voters, it’s easier than ever to find information that helps teens form their own opinions and separate sense from the nonsensical. But with this power comes responsibility. With increased access to information, it’s harder to sift through the loads of drivel—even though we know all media outlets are totally 100% factual all the time. Generation Z is a socially aware generation. We not only know what we want for the American people, but for the entire global community. We want to make the world a better place for all people. But it’s hard to sort through the opinions and ideas of those around you. Look at political dynasties like the Bush family and you can see how much your beliefs are affected by social influences. I’m sorry Jeb, even though you smoked weed 40 years ago and your mom is mad at you, you’re still not relatable; you’re still a Bush. It’s hard to avoid being a Jeb. How can we avoid getting sucked into our parents’ opinions? Our best friends’ opinions? Our dogs’ opinions (I’m sure your dog wants to #legalize weed)? Everyone is shouting his or her beliefs at us from around a room and we’re stuck in the middle, left to figure out to whom we should listen. So, go forth, teen. Be politically active and aware. Educate yourself. But most importantly, if you will be 18 in November 2016, don’t vote for Trump. I’m begging you.

Turn to Twitter: While yes, there Your Smart Pals: Let’s face it. We all TV, Music, and Pop Culture: are some complete nincompoops have some dumb friends who will Believe it or not, comedians, on Twitter spouting ridiculous believe absolutely anything they see writers, and rappers have some of claims and awful opinions, there on the Internet. But I also know that the realest things to say about the are also really great resources. we all have some really smart friends state of American society. There’s Outlets like the Associated Press who educate themselves on current nothing better than Saturday and BBC are known for quality issues and events. Seek them out! Night Live during the election and timely news. Following Talk to them! The best way to learn season. real news sources and not just about politics is through healthy, your friends will help you really civil, and educated discussion. It’s increase your awareness. also the best way to learn about yourself and your own opinions and beliefs.

Feature // Roundtable

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BI M O

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\\ 1 1

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Political profiles

S B O N \\ 1 1

e Lib

“All Politicians are Idiots and the goveRnment is a sham.” AL

LUK

“Make America Great again.”

E MOD

\\ 1 1

B SUPER

\\ 1 2

o d e r at e c

“The only good government is no government.”

at i v

Z AC

JOS

“Just do it.”

EN W O

TTI

LI I M

E MOD

“The Less Government the better.” 31 31

RoundTable Stephanie: Do you wanna go over presidential nominees?

Lilli: Let’s just go around the table and say who we think—

zach: Donald Trump. Luke: Bernie Sanders. Zach: Why? Josh: I honestly think as a candidate it would be Bush, but as it gets down to it, I do like Carson. Grace: Well from what I’ve seen, Bernie Sanders. Stephanie: I haven’t followed the Democratic race as much as the Republican race so far, but I would go with Bernie Sanders if I knew more about the Democrats, but I kind of like Marco Rubio. Grace: I feel like Bernie Sanders is a dreamteam scenario and he’s too good to be true. He’s interesting, I can’t explain it. Josh: I don’t think he would be a good president. I don’t like his policies. Zach: I think he has good ideas for some of his policies, maybe not economic policies. What about Hillary Clinton? Josh: I don’t mind her policies, but her history... Just as a person, I don’t trust her. Like Benghazi—she lied for 27 days afterwards, which she knew was a lie. She knew it was a terrorist attack. And the whole email scandal, it’s—

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Feature // Roundtable

Grace: I think that she has a microscope—a hyper-microscope—because she’s a woman. I totally believe that there’s sexism in play. However, I don’t want her to be our president. Josh: $250 thousand or five years in prison or both and you can never run for public office again. Based on our law— Grace: Well, if you are looking at that then why do you like Donald Trump? Because he is a horrible person in every way. He’s literally a clown. Like he’s— Zach: Okay! If you are bashing on Clinton for an email scandal how can you look at the things that Donald Trump and still give your stamp of approval on a man like that? Josh: He got into his business from his father. He didn’t lie. Zach: Everybody says, Let’s look at Donald Trump. He’s a great businessman. He got it because it was handed down. Do we want a man that has just been handed things to try to run our country? Luke: He also does everything in his power to get himself money. Do you really want him— Stephanie: I feel like he needs to have policies. Like Hillary Clinton, she has a huge strength with her policy experience. Josh: Well Carson isn’t a career politician, neither is Trump. Zach: So what’s wrong with a career politician?

Josh: They have been taught their entire lives never to compromise. Stephanie: Let’s talk about Bernie Sanders. Luke? Luke: What do you want me to say about Bernie Sanders? Lilli: Why do you like him?

LUke: his Twitter picture is Beautiful. Zach: His Twitter picture— Luke: In general, I just like the way that Bernie Sanders does things. First of all, I really like his education thing. He wants to make two-year public college free. I like that policy. I also like that he’s one of the only candidates that has a thing on environmental stability. He wants to go back to the green fuels rather than just the fossil fuels we are using right now. And in general, he’s just a cool dude. I like him. I just love Bernie. Stephanie: Why do you like Jeb Bush? Josh: I like him, but I don’t think he will ever win an election again because of his brother and father. Zach: Well if you looked at the man being a very moderate person who wants to go in and fix the government instead of regulate it and slam on even more to just muck up the water. Josh: I think he’s the best candidate, but I don’t think he has a chance. Jowe: I feel like he won’t get much done. He doesn’t have very many radical policies, so he’s not really going to get much done.

Grace: He’s not enough of a politician for me. I want someone crazy and that’s going to lie to me. I need a president whom I can hate. Like I don’t want to hate Bernie Sanders. Lilli: So Josh, why don’t you like Bernie? Josh: I don’t like Bernie—a lot of his policies do scare me. Josh: With socialism. Lilli: Like, socialism just has this bad connotation in America, but besides just saying that it’s a socialist policy, what’s wrong with his policies? Josh: I am a big fan of free market. Socialism by definition contradicts that. Luke: So basically all you have to say about Bernie Sanders is because he’s a socialist and that scares you. Grace: Okay well let’s remember how little power presidents have. Congress is primarily conservative right now, so America is never going to be socialist, like—we are not going to be socialist, Josh. Josh: So if I give you my money—you being the government—and you spend it in loads— Lilli: Free healthcare! Fix it! Stephanie: I think it’s a good idea. How do you improve health standards?

Grace : I just think that Josh is afraid of feeling the Bern.

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE CODER MEET AP COMPUTER SCIENCE

story and design by bridget mizener, photos by abegale headlee

n the first day of classes, I pull my crumpled schedule from my backpack, see where I’m going, and suppress a noise that’s somewhere between a sigh and a groan. AP Computer Science. I’m not sure what to expect out of this class—or, maybe more accurately, I know exactly what I’m expecting and I dread it. I enrolled

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Feature // Computer Science

in a programming class knowing it would be just me and ten boys… computer science boys. I was expecting the stereotypical pocketprotector nerds and basement-dwelling hackers: the devoted bordering on manic, knowledgeable bordering on argumentative, and introverted bordering on inarticulate.

But that’s not what I found at all. It takes patience, collaboration, and a healthy appetite for frustration and failure to be a successful programmer. These qualities make for an equally good classmate. Computer science isn’t just for hermitic geeks, and computers are capable of so much more than gaming and checking BuzzFeed.

n lt o

Willne

Sophomore Brady Fehr stands out—he’s an exceptional student and an adept football player—but he also sticks out as a 6-foot-something sophomore in classrooms full of upperclassmen. Fehr is a self-described “math person,” and he’s been on the advanced track for several years now. In eighth grade, Fehr took an independent study class through Westside Middle School’s Excellence in Youth program. When he was offered a chance to take an online college course, he jumped at the opportunity. “I chose Intro to Computer Science with a push from my dad,” he said. “He wanted me to go into [programming].” That class covered Python,

If Matthew Gray Gubler from Criminal Minds were a hacker, he’d be junior Colton Willnerd. But he’s not out to steal your identity; Willnerd’s one of the good guys. He attempts to penetrate a device or application’s security to test its vulnerability or to learn more about how it works. In coding lingo, that’s known as “white-hat” hacking. “I personally focus more on the computer security side,” he said. “Whether building security or breaking it, I love to do it.” Two of the hacks he’s experimented with are wellknown within the computer security community: WiFi sidejacking and the “Snoopy” hack. The first allows a hacker to take over the current internet browsing session of the target. For example, if you got sidejacked while on Twitter, the hacker could post tweets to your page. The

a simple and user-friendly programming language. The next year he took C++, a more technical language. AP Computer Science, which is in a language called Java, is just the next logical addition to his coding repertoire. He’s also taking both AP Statistics and AP Calculus BC, classes usually reserved for seniors and juniors. Though it was his dad who started this pattern, Fehr is thankful that everything worked out the way it did. “My dad wishes he had gotten into [computer science] so he wanted me to get into it,” he said. “But I don’t mind. I enjoy it.”

“Snoopy” hack involves a small computer (called a Raspberry Pi) attached to a remote-controlled drone. The hacker flies the drone around in shared spaces, like parks, while the Raspberry Pi impersonates public WiFi networks like those at Starbucks or Marriott. The hope is that your phone will recognize one of those public networks and automatically connect. Once it’s joined, the hacker can access most of the information on your phone. That this technology can be simultaneously universal and shady is what appeals most to Willnerd. “Nowadays it’s difficult to find something that hasn’t interacted with a computer,” he said. “Whether books that had to be typed on a computer, or desks that were drawn out on a computer so a robot could cut it out!” The possibilities open to hackers like Willnerd are endless—we’re just lucky this power resides in the right hands.

Bra

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ALPINE INN 10376 Calhoun Rd. story by aaron casey, photos by kyndall goodwin, design by stephanie dong

he Alpine Inn has been a favorite of mine since childhood. The restaurant is known for bringing all sorts of critters into view for the customers. The few instances I’d visited the restaurant as a child captivated me. I loved the idea of raccoons and feral cats devouring my leftovers. With the intention to explore this cool place again, I set out on a 22-mile ride to Blair. I’d been to the restaurant many times before as a kid, but I could only remember it as a total dive. Finally, the baby blue building came into sight. Already I could smell food sizzling in the fryer. I walked into the dimly lit building, and the distinct scent of fried chicken filled the room. The charming welcome to the Alpine Inn included posters with crude and witty sayings covering the walls. Working hard and fast on the restaurant’s floor, waitress Jaimi Fay tended to her tables while she read through the tickets in her book. That night, there were four other family members working

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Review // Alpine Inn

with Fay. Anyone could tell they have a passion not only for service, but also the restaurant itself. “This is a bar and a family restaurant,” Fay said. “You get all kinds of people in here, from a guy in a suit to a biker.” Even a suburban kid like myself can feel right at home dining at the Alpine Inn. Family owned and operated, the Fay’s make sure you’re taken care of every time. To compliment the personal service, the Alpine Inn provides a home-cooked feeling with its fried chicken, and I went straight for it. I decided to order the combination meal, which included a mix of gizzards, livers, and wings. The gizzards were tender and the livers melted in my mouth. It was some darn good chicken—so good, in fact, I didn’t leave any for the local wildlife. I came out incredibly satisfied with the Alpine Inn. It was a mistake to assume the animals were the only appealing part of this restaurant. The Alpine Inn brought my understanding of not only chicken, but also service, to a whole new level.

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DIY PINS MAKE A STATEMENT

story by audrey mccann, design by kirsten mccormack, photos by kyndall goodwinn and kirsten mccormack

statement piece unlike any other, pins are the ultimate way to express yourself. They can be a political statement, or a homage to your favorite TV show. Pin them on your sweater, pin them on your purse, pin them on your dogs collar! These creative expressions can look good with anything.

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Diy // Pins

things you need - wood discs -bar pins -beads, stickers, glitter, etc.

-mod podge -resin / clear glaze -paper

First, gather all your materials. You’ll want to find a picture that you will want to put onto your pin.

-printer / old magazines -scissors -markers

Next, trace around your picture and cut along the line. After you’ve done that, you can use mod podge to glue your picture onto the pin.

Once you’ve done the easy part, it’s time to After you’re done with the decorating, peel off the decorate. Use any beads, stickers or glitter that you back of the bar pins and stick it on to the back of have to spice it up a bit. your pin. For the finishing touch, spray a clear glaze or resin and wait to dry for a glossy finish. After you’ve completed all the steps, you’ll have your very own personalized pin. Enjoy!

Ivan Reyes A fashion icon within the halls story by nikki saner, photos and design by grace wolfe

t’s almost comically stereotypical that the standard Westside look is Nike socks and khakis, or leggings and North Face hoodies. This mindless monotony has most students numb to any original style, and kids pass each other in the halls without a second thought. However, junior Ivan Reyes is turning heads with his individual sense of style. Decked out in a pastel top and freshly ironed white shorts, Reyes walks down the hall with confidence and flair. He dresses himself each morning with the purpose of showing off what he’s truly passionate about: fashion. On any given day you might see him rocking homemade ripped jeans or a sweater straight out of his grandpa’s closet, as well as pieces from American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, Topman, and H&M. “I want to find my own style because that’s who I am,” Reyes said. “I want to stay away from the crowd.” Most teenagers define their style based on who they think they are, but Reyes takes the opposite approach by letting his style define him. Reyes’ style and personality reflect the qualities of a Tumblr icon and are equally noticeable in his poise, swagger, and attitude.

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Fashion // Ivan Reyes

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1 Fashion // Ivan Reyes 42 42

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Feature // RAW

R aw PreSENTS S O K O L

BOLD A u d i t o r i u m

story by collin koory, design by stephanie dong, photos by nikki saner and abegale headlee

alking into Sokol Auditorium, I was immediately hit with the distinct smell of hairspray. Samples of clothing ranging from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;60s everyday wear to dresses inspired from the future caught my eye. Upstairs, elaborate displays held paintings and tiny sculptures while artists hurried back and forth, attempting to perfect their pieces before the show. This is RAW, a pop-up art show for up-and-coming artists with talents ranging from music to fashion and much more. RAW hosts events all around the world, with over 60 locations catering to all forms of art. This event allows up-and-coming artists to showcase their talents in an abstract setting.

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Nic Leyba

Nic Leyba has been emceeing and organizing RAW shows in San Fransisco and Omaha for four months. The art style from West Coast to Midwest differs widely. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like the differences between the two shows because the diversity is so big between San Fransisco and Omaha,â&#x20AC;? Leyba said. He loves his job because RAW brings the art community together and it helps artists see different types of art, as well as helps them collaborate and make something new. Leyba relishes his chance to reach out to other artists and create opportunities for them.

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Feature // RAW

Cecil Glass Cecil Glass has modeled for Omaha Fashion Week and RAW Omaha. Previously, Glass worked for a modeling agency, but eventually left at the age of 12 and now only models as a hobby. When she returned to modeling, Glass first worked for designer Alyssa Koory in 2015 Omaha Fashion Week. Glass was introduced to RAW when Koory had her model for her show. “[RAW] is more of a relaxed feel compared to Omaha Fashion Week, where the environment is more business-focused,” Glass said. RAW stresses the importance of the individual artists and treats them like they’re important. The focus is to help them present their art in the most eye-appealing way possible, giving them the opportunity to be noticed.

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Teylor Bruno Teylor Bruno is a photographer from Omaha whose photos focus on concerts and other music events. Artists featured in his photos range from rappers such as Mac Miller and Logic to hard rock bands like Famous Last Words. “I like to put [my subjects] on a real level, unlike [in] the media, where they touch up every single detail to make them look godlike,” Bruno said. Bruno uses the action of the show to enhance the artists’ look on stage. He makes a point of catching the performers in their element, jumping around and being themselves in the heat of the moment.

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Indi Walter Though she originally went to college to receive a medical degree, Indi Walter instead decided to make art based on animal anatomy. She specializes in paintings and intricate jewelry made out of the skulls and hides of various animals. As one might imagine, procuring these materials isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy. She used to take what she could getâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for instance, she would take rats from pest control services. Now, she finds roadkill and processes it herself. Since the art she creates is so unconventional, it is difficult to get into other art shows; luckily, she found RAW. The politics and workplace maneuvering of most art shows can restrict artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chances to show their unique styles. Although her art might be seen as controversial, Walter takes pride in her

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YO U R AD HERE CONTACT US AT WHSCRAZEMAG@GMAIL.COM

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A SIMPLE MISTAKE Thinking before we speak story by megan murray, design by grace wolfe As a ten-year-old I didn’t watch what came out of my mouth, and I paid for it. In the fifth grade, I was fixated on my “enemy.” She was standing in front of me, trying to put herself in the conversation. Frustrated and filled with rage, I snapped. I was caught up in the moment, my head clouded with negativity. “Go away, I don’t like you. In fact, I hate you. I want to kill you.” The words just slipped out of my mouth. Hours later I found myself seated in a hard plastic chair, staring at the motivational posters hanging around the room. I avoided eye contact with both the principal seated across from me, and my mother next to me. The principal sentenced me to in school suspension the following day. Sitting on the familiar leather couch in the middle of my living room, I was forced to look my mother in the eyes. Each of her words hit me like a punch, and I had no choice but to take them. “I have never been more ashamed to call you my child,” she said. After an hour of lecturing, I was called into the kitchen, still carrying the heavy weight of my mother’s words. My dad greeted me by the door, suprisingly looking very calm. Besides the in-school suspension, I wasn’t able to have sleepovers for a month. I had just gotten suspended from school for a full day, suffered through emotional battery at the hands of my mother, and the best they could

come up with was no sleepovers for a month? The collection of my punishments were too different. The school was too firm with my correction, and now I have a record because of my mindless slipup. My mother’s speech was just another harsh punishment on top of the first. Then to not be able to have a sleepover for a month, it seemed like a slap on the wrist compared the others. The support my parents gave me felt like a frozen blanket. It was icy, cold, and surrounded me with no helpful purpose. They served no help or sympathy towards me in the beginning of my list of punishments. I felt as though I was being shunned from my family. My parents completely disregarded the fact that I was a fifth grader who made idiotic mistakes. Then, all of a sudden, they try to soften the blow of their harsh words by placing the meek punishment of no sleepovers for a month. When it felt like I was backed into a corner with fingers pointing at me, what I wanted most was comfort. After all, I was only a kid. I needed my parents to help guide me through my mistakes. Their ranting lecture didn’t help me learn my lesson. Today, my mom and dad are worse than me when it comes to watching what they say. Having been through the experience of my words coming back to haunt me, I have learned now that you have to be think before you speak. It wasn’t the yelling that got me to this conclusion, it was

looking back on the situation years later that I realized how terrible I was for. What I needed was for my parents to be more comforting and reassuring that it was just a mistake. A parents’ rant on what is right and what is wrong isn’t always the most effective way to teach a child a lesson. Our parents may not have always made the best choices on how to handle situations, but neither have we. When we believe that our parents are being irrational, it’s because they aren’t sure how to deal with the situation. They’re learning to be a good parent. There isn’t a handbook they follow; they are trying to figure it out the best that they can. I could say that I would have handled the situation much

“NOW I HAVE A RECORD BECAUSE OF MY MINDLESS SLIPUP.” better than my parents did, but who am I kidding. I wouldn’t have known what to do, and probably would have found myself in my parents shoes. When making decisions we are no better than our parents; our parents are no better than us.

Opinion // Fighting Authority

SURFSIDE 14445 N River Dr.

story by emma molden, design by stephanie dong and photos by kyndall goodwin

n a winding dirt road past Hummel Park, a sign labeled “Surfside” appears for an exit that leads into a seemingly never-ending maze of trees. At the end of the road is Surfside Club: a refreshing—while still classic— home-style restaurant. Sit inside for an at-home feel or sit outside at colorfully painted picnic tables overlooking the river. Surfside Club was one of the buildings to get hit by the Missouri River when it flooded its banks in 2011. Completely destroyed, the restaurant was put out of business for over a year. If the building was still standing when the flood was over, owner Tom Mainlander promised he would reopen the restaurant. Lo and behold, the building stood strong and Mainlander re-opened the restaurant two years later. The new Surfside was upgraded with additions such as a marina for boats to tie up and a stage for Friday night performances. Walking up to the building I could hear the river’s current flowing. While sitting down at Surfside Club, don’t expect the server to bring you a menu. Posted on the walls of the restaurant, both inside and out, is list of just three items: fried fish, fried chicken, and corn

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Review // Surfside

fritters. Each meal comes served on a styrofoam plate with fries. First on the menu is some good, unshowy deep-fried fish. The catfish comes served bones and all, but it’s well worth the extra effort—it’s some of the flakiest fish I have ever tasted. Second on the list is the two- or fourpiece chicken dinner. This meal includes a combination of wings and thighs. The juicy, deep-fried chicken is coated in the homemade batter, which creates a satisfying crunch to balance out to the tenderness of the meat. The last item on Surfside’s menu is the homemade corn fritters. Grab some and add a drizzle of honey or hot sauce to enhance their flavor. Light and airy on the inside with little kernels of corn here and there, they’re the perfect free appetizer for any meal. There aren’t a lot of places in Nebraska where you can get a whole fish, good fried chicken, and homemade corn fritters. With all of that, Surfside has officially topped my list of favorite restaurants. They’re only open seasonally—for summer and early fall— so enjoy Surfside while you still can. Spread the word to only the closest of friends because it’s one of Omaha’s bestkept secrets.

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PROGRESS AND PREJUDICE junior finds acceptance as lgbtq youth story by erin kruger, design by claire wilson, photo by kirsten mccormack

-Pew Research Center

unior Lizzie Jones goes to her classes, does her homework, hangs out with her friends, and works at her after-school job just like most teenagers. However, unlike many teenagers, Jones faces prejudice from her peers every day due to her

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sexuality. Jones came out to her friends and family last school year. While she feels safe going to school, Jones feels as though she has to be careful with her words and actions. “I can’t always say what I want to say. There’s people who are

always going to make fun of gay people,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of people who are supportive, but there are people who are really bad about it.” During her childhood at Prairie Lane Elementary, Jones played sports like football and basketball,

and she ran around with her friends. She described herself as the “only girl playing football.” She went to the pool every summer, and didn’t care what others thought of her. For Jones, elementary school was never a place of drama, and her childhood was all about having fun. After knowing her classmates from Prairie Lane for so long, a fresh start in middle school allowed Jones to form new relationships that made her question her feelings towards the same gender. All this change made her rethink her sexual identity. Despite the emergence of these feelings, Jones didn’t come out until high school. “I kept it a secret because I didn’t want anyone to view me differently,” Jones said. “I didn’t want to be different from anyone and I wanted to fit in and be normal.” Though now Jones doesn’t care about how others view her, she did receive mixed reactions after coming out as an LGBTQ youth. The majority of her friends are extremely supportive of her, and some are queer themselves. But unfortunately, Jones did lose some of her friendships. Thankfully, Jones’ closest friends make her feel at home in the LGBTQ community. Her parents have also been tolerant of her coming out, partly because a relative of hers is also gay. This acceptance of LGBTQ youth is very important for their

mental and emotional health. According to a 2009 study at San Francisco State University, parents and caregivers often fear that others may try to hurt their gay or transgender child. Fear motivates many parents and family members to protect their LGBTQ children by reacting negatively to their gay or transgender identity. LGBTQ youth face the possibility of being treated poorly by their families after coming out. Luckily, some parents accept their child and the LGBTQ community.

“you dont need to be accepted to be happy.” While Jones’s parents have accepted who she is, there are adults who don’t accept the queer community. On the other hand, American society is experiencing a period of rapid and radical social change. According to a 2015 poll by the Pew Research Center, 55% of Americans support same-sex marriage, compared with 39% who oppose it. The upcoming generation seems more welcoming of the queer community, and opinions about LGBTQ issues are

changing in the US as the newer generations are growing up. This is especially present now that gay marriage is legal in the US. Some gay people feel ostracized and victimized by homophobia, while others learn how to cope and deal with the problem. LGBTQ youth can be bullied by their classmates and even their parents, and without help, they can be driven to self-harm and suicide. Others feel as if they can handle the bullying. Many teenagers don’t know how to deal with harassment, internalized homophobia, and other personal and mental health issues. Suicide, depression and self-loathing are common among LGBTQ youth. “I’m so happy that things have changed to become more accepting and I know a lot of younger people are more accepting,” Jones said. “This means LGBT people of the next generations will probably face fewer struggles with coming out and being out.” To avoid any negativity, Jones stays away from the people she knows who will only show hate for her and the queer community. She knows who the people who matter in her life are, and she sticks around them. “These people that I come out to, if they don’t accept me, then I don’t really need them,” Jones said. “You don’t need to be accepted to be happy.”

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Future Funk we’re bringing retro back story by kati stanzel, design and photo by lilli marvin

odern producers are fusing the head-banging rock ‘n’ roll of the 1980s and today’s electronic dance music rhythms to create an original, genre-bending sound known as “future funk.” When the techno beats hit my eardrums, all I want to do is get up and dance to the fast-paced tempo. The tapping of my feet and bopping of my head is a just a natural reaction to this one-of-a-kind sound. This type of music is nothing anyone has heard before. SoundCloud is the home of many future funk tracks, all of which are filled with ‘80s inspired sounds as well as more modern musical techniques like minimal vocals and loud bass lines. Producers of future funk are starting to use technological advancements to their advantage, but that doesn’t mean the old style from the ‘80s and ‘90s is dying out. This style mixes two completely different styles of music to create a new genre entirely. Guitar riffs transform into synthesizer solos, beat-boxers are no longer limited to their mouths to create tempo, and now the world is listening to a revamped and absolutely rad style of music: future funk.

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Review // Future Funk

ili // troyboi

out of ur clothes // patrick perkins

Out of the songs that have a true retro vibe, one that exceeds my expectations is “Ili” by Troyboi. Troyboi is known for having some of the biggest hits on SoundCloud, so I was ready for the track to blow me away. The song is a mix of electronic dance music and an old-time jazz/funk beat. For the first minute, a smooth, saxophone-inspired tone electrifies the song. It compliments the melody, which is filled with layers of voices harmonizing and building up until the beat drops. The drop hits hard, instantly making me want to dance. Troyboi weaves his deep, eardrum-bursting bass with the 1960s jazz vocals so seamlessly that the whole song becomes one beautiful masterpiece

“Out of UR Clothes” is a track filled with many characteristics of past musical generations. The artist, Patrick Perkins, is famous on Vine, but he has started to climb his way to the top of the charts on SoundCloud as well. “Out of UR Clothes” is one of his best works because the jazz instruments and synthesizer work together to create an uplifting vibe. It starts with a light layering of bells, chimes, and piano. The introduction of the track reminded me of when a fairy would cast a spell in old cartoons; it’s whimsical and playful. Halfway through the song, Perkins switches the beat to a heavier tone and speeds up the melody. The bass in the background swings from ear to ear, and combined with the keyboard and jazz-inspired vocals, creates a whole different level of music entirely.

retro hit // tamer fouda (remix) As future funk gains traction, artists are beginning to jump onto the bandwagon and sometimes it doesn’t work out. “Retro Hit Remix” by Tamer Fouda is one track that attempted the new sound but ultimately failed. There’s so much going on in the beginning that it’s hard to keep up with the song. If I were going on a run I might listen to this song because of its quick tempo, but it definitely doesn’t classify as a smooth, future funk-styled track. Since it’s just one terribly long, dance-floor beat, “Retro Hit Remix” gets really boring. The only thing from the track that has ‘80s or ‘90s elements is the brilliant use of the synthesizer—but just because a song has an auto tuned flare doesn’t mean it’s future funk. Around the two-minute mark, there’s a small synthesizer solo, but it sounds like metal grinding against a wall. I physically cringed when I heard it for the first time. All in all, “Retro Hit Remix” has a great vibe and a beautiful bass line, but it just doesn’t have enough of the funk.

the beat goes on // bobsled jimmy “The Beat Goes On” by Bobsled Jimmy is one of the few songs people consider to be future funk when it really isn’t funk at all. This track is pretty good, but I wouldn’t classify it under this genre. It’s just one constant beat throughout the entire three minutes (please, gag me) with a couple lyrics here and there. No beat drops, no swinging bass, just the same chord progression over and over again. Because of this repetition and unremarkable use of the synthesizer, I would classify Jimmy’s demo as pure ‘80s electronic, not future funk. His beat isn’t bad—I could see a DJ playing it at a dance party—but my main problem is that it gets a bit boring towards the end. “The Beat Goes On” does its best but, unfortunately, the demo doesn’t quite fit into the new music culture developing. It’s not future funk, and the beat just goes on…and on…and on…

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CRAZE’S FAVORITES

THIS MONTH’S STAFF PICKS BOOK:

THE MARTIAN Let’s face it: Earth is so 4.5 billion years ago. With NASA’s recent discovery of liquid water on the planet, Mars is where it’s at. Or at least, where astronaut Mark Watney’s at. In this gripping sci-fi novel, Watney must survive alone on the red planet for the four years it will take a rescue crew to save him--with only 30 days of provisions.

SONG:

SEPARATE WAYS // JOURNEY Any Journey hit makes for an timeless jam (I mean, have you ever not sung your lungs out to “Don’t Stop Believing?”), but “Seperate Ways” is our personal favorite. It’s a passion-filled and the music video may be one of the greatest things ever created. Check out the video here!

SHOP: JACKSON STREET BOOKSELLERS

I’m still not sure if Jackson Street Booksellers is a bookstore or a maze: it’s so easy to get lost in the high shelves and stacks of worn books. But us when we say we wouldn’t mind if we did Address: 1119 Jackson St. Phone: (402)-341-2664

CELEBRITY: JOHN STAMOS

Uncle Jesse will always hold a special in our hearts, and 20 years later, he’s making a comeback in the Netflix spinoff: “Fuller House.” Stamos is also teaming up with another one of our childhood favorites, Josh Peck, in FOX’s “Grandfathered.” From playing the drums for The Beach Boys to his fire Twitter page, Stamos is still the cool dude we remember from his days on “Full House.”