Craze Issue 4: Heartland

C RA ZE the heartland issue

issue four // volume twenty-seven // december 2016

Table of Contents 01-02

introduction page

03-04

contributors

05-06

the personal is political

07-09

the culture of community

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local opprotunities

11-18

plain beauty

19-26

florence, nebraska

27-31

childhood among the plains

32-34

just like mama makes it

35-38

humans of omaha

39-40

around the world

41-42

eerie vibes

43-52

exhibition unknown

53-54

local fire

55-56

inspiration from home

57-60

i spy...

61-62

learning to accept

63-64

aren’t they beautiful

A Letter from the Editor...

I knew my mother hated me the minute she told me we were moving to Omaha. I couldn’t think of any plausible reason why would she rip me from my happy life in the bustling metroplolis of Denver, Colorado. But alas, I had no choice in the matter. So soon enough I was sitting in car, all my belonggings in the back seat. I cried the whole way, pouting and looking out the window to the bland landscape. All I could think was, “I may live here, but it’ll never be my home.”

But as I was writing this, trying to reccount my feelings about moving, I was reminded again how much I enjoy living in Omaha. My fifth-grade self would’ve never believed it, but I’ve come to call Omaha my home. There’s something special about this town that I’ll never forget, even after I move away. It’s something that I’d like to convey to people who don’t live in the area, so I used the only platform I have.

I’ve been fighting for this theme every year. My past editors have always shut me down, saying every issue of Craze should reflect the community. And they do, but in an unintentional way. I wanted to create an issue that concentrates purely on the Midwest, so outsiders can get an inside look on the area. Not only this, but the issue’s intention is to remind those already living here the beauty of the Midwest, both in the community and the land.

We want to share with the world the place we call home. And as frustrated as I get with Omaha, I love my home. Not enough to get an outline of Nebraska tattooed on my forehead or anything, but you get the idea.

— Editor-in-Chief, Grace Wolfe

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Contributors to the Issue

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Editor-in-Chief Grace Wolfe

Managing Editor Kati Stanzel

Design Editor Lilli Marvin

Photo Editor Kyndall Goodwin

Copy Editor Elisabeth Facer

Copy Editor Erin Kruger

Staff Ivan Reyes

Staff Megan Murray

Staff William Larson

Staff Kendall Brekke

Staff Kaelyn Mettler

Staff Biruk Tewodros

Staff Julia Steiner

Staff Lydia Kasem

Staff Emily Hammans

Staff Nick Protzman

Staff Ella Paulson

Staff Anna Greene

Staff Anne Stepanek

Staff Emma Kopplin

Staff Samantha Chesire

Staff Isabella Tyler

Staff Anastasiya Petrosyan

not pictured: guest writer Richie Porras

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The Personal is Always Political

blazing the way against our new president s to r y a n d d e s i g n b y l i l l i m a r v i n , p h o to b y j o h n f i c e n e c

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opinion // sexism and trump

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t’s a given women get disrespected.” My interview with senior Vyanna McIntosh echoed in my head as I walked down the halls of Westside, mixing in with the dozens of other sexist comments being thrown around in the hallways; insults to the intelligence of women, threats to our safety, and posts degrading our identity had manifested themselves in our halls the days following the election. I had never felt so ashamed to be not only a Westside student, but also an American.

The week following the election was an emotionally charged time, full of controversial social media posts, protests in downtown Omaha, and chants in the landing. Some students resorted to anger, others to despair. I was a mixture of the two, a confused woman who couldn’t believe our country could elect a president with the values Donald Trump holds. When first announced, I scoffed at the President-elect’s campaign. Myself, along with much of America, viewed Trump’s campaign as something to mock on late-night television, a joke that could never actually come to fruition.

Thus, my reaction to Trump’s election was amplified, as I never saw him as a true candidate. I failed, and still continue, to understand how an American can support an individual who inherently stands for such sexist values. This treatment of women, not unique to Trump himself, encompasses the entire Trump Administration, and creates a new environment harboring the discrimination against women.

Take for example Vice-President elect Mike Pence, who in the past has been quoted on how he would “shut the federal government down if congressional Democrats didn't include the defunding of Planned Parenthood,” according to Tom LoBianco of CNN. This childish and blatant disrespect for women permeates Trump’s entire identity, not just his role as president. As a host on Celebrity Apprentice, Trump repeatedly objectified and

degraded women, viewing them as objects.

Trump once told contestant Brande Roderick how it would be a “pretty picture, you dropping to your knees.” This objectifying attitude was also brought to national attention when a tape was leaked of Trump talking to Billy Bush, then host of Access Hollywood, about grabbing women “by the pussy.” Throughout the transcript, released in the New York Times, Trump demonstrates the mindset of a rapist discussing how “I [Trump] don’t even wait… when you’re a star…you can do anything. Grab ‘em by the pussy.”

The issue with Donald Trump’s presidency is not necessarily concerning policies that he could potentially enact, but rather the toxic environment his election has fostered within our country. In consistently discriminating against the feminine identity within the United States, Trump is enabling mass America to adopt his same vices. Students of Westside, both former and current, have been bullied for their commentary on the issue, with threatening tweets such as “Donald Trump is your president. You’re gonna get raped so much in the next 4 years.”

As I walked the halls of Westside on November 9th, I was afraid. I was defeated.

As the past month has progressed, I have processed my reality, and began to realize the importance of fostering change. You have every right to be angry, no matter what your identity is. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The week following the election I was repeatedly told it didn’t matter, that life would go on.

Admittedly I first listened to them, I believed my opinion was worthless. The key to winning this battle is to progress past this doubt, to challenge the opposition, to break down the barriers that are being formed to marginalize us as women. You most certainly do matter. Do not let anyone, not even the President of the United States, convince you otherwise.

“Childish and blatant disrespect for women permeates Trump’s identity”

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The Culture of Community a personal account of life in a small town

s to r y b y e r i n k r u g e r , d e s i g n b y l y d i a k a s e m , p h o to b y k y n d a l l g o o d w i n

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ocial studies instructor Jon Preister, who spent all of his childhood in the 1,000-person town of Genoa, Nebraska, seems like your typical Midwesterner. His family’s several thousandacre farm has been farming corn and soybeans since he could remember. His high school class was only 36 people, and it was the largest graduating class in the town’s history.

“I would describe [Genoa] as very quaint. There were 1,000 people. You knew about what everyone was up to, and about all of the town gossip,” Preister said. “I would say that it is a very good place to raise children. I liked the fact that everybody in the town knew everybody, and you didn’t have to worry about safety issues.

Everybody took care of everybody.”

While most Westside students have a sense of community at school and know a lot of their classmates, everyone at Preister’s school knew each other on a more personal level. When Preister attended Genoa High School (now called Twin River High School), his whole class would meet on the weekends at several locations on the town’s mile-and-a-half long main street. Some of the hotspots included the Pump & Pantry gas station parking lot or at the fast food restaurant Baumer’s. Their weekend nights typically ended with bonfires a little outside of town that included everyone in the class.

“My class was unique in the sense that there were about four or five people who tried their best to make sure that everyone was included and that everyone

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was invited to parties and hangouts. When there was a party on Friday night, all 36 people in my class went to that party. You had a huge sense of community,” Preister said.

Along with weekend excursions, sporting events and other activities were also a big part of Genoa’s culture. Just about everyone in the town would attend the football and basketball games.

Whenever anyone in the town didn’t attend a sporting event, people automatically thought they were sick, grounded, or gone for a different reason; everyone noticed their absence. Throughout high school, Preister competed on the school’s football, basketball, and track teams, as most other students in his class also did. In addition to these sports teams, Preister was also the drumline captain in the school band, and was involved in several clubs.

“When we would compete at state basketball or state football, all of the businesses [in Genoa] would close down and everyone would go to the game,” Preister said. “In small towns, you get the opportunity to play all of these sports. Even if you weren’t good at basketball, you could still play and feel the team comradery.”

After high school, Preister went on to attend college at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and then transferred to Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois after one year. Rock Island was Preister’s first experience living in a relatively larger city. While the move was not overwhelming for him, he did find that city life was different from rural life. After going to school in Rock Island, Preister then moved to Omaha. In some ways, living in an area like the Quad Cities or Omaha was more convenient for many things, like healthcare and grocery shopping.

“If I ever needed something, I could run to Walmart or to the grocery store in five minutes

instead of the trip taking half an hour,” Preister said.

While Preister did enjoy his childhood and upbringing, he claims that he wouldn’t move back to a small town. This is mainly because of the education that larger cities like Omaha provide.

There’s an advantage at our schools because of our opportunities to take AP classes, our use of newer technology, and our ability to consult an array of guidance counselors for any questions we have about college and our futures. Life can also be financially difficult for many families in small towns due to the lack of opportunities for higherpaying jobs.

“I pursued some things on my own without the help of the guidance counselor, and I ended up at the colleges that I did by happenstance,” Preister said. “The idea that you can go to Harvard, Yale, Penn, or any of those kinds of places is a little bit ‘out-there’. It’s almost like a fantasy.”

While many small Midwestern towns may not be in the best financial condition in recent times, there is one thing that always remains constant: the sense of community and inclusion that everyone in the town shares.

No matter how different someone is, or how much someone is struggling in their lives, everyone else in the town is ready to help and take care of them. That’s the sense of community that we don’t typically see in Omaha, or even at Westside.

“We actually knew everyone. We knew their families and what they were doing. Everybody was included in everything,” Preister said. “The benefit of a small town is that you get the inclusion so much more. There’s no outcasts. I can’t speak for every small town, but everyone in Genoa felt included regardless.”

“everybody in t h e to w n k n e w e v e r y b o d y, a n d y o u d i d n ’ t h a v e to wo r r y a b o u t s a fe t y issues.”

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Local Opportunities inside on the omaha film festival s to r y b y i s b e l l a , d e s i g n b y s a m a n t h a c h e s i r e

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ll across the country there are film festivals.

What makes OFF so unique is definitely their Opportunities for local filmmakers to get dedication to young people. their work out there and show what they “As anyone in any industry will tell you, often are capable of and possibly get their ‘big opportunities and success in a particular area break’. Though these exist all throughout the nation, come from making good contacts. The Omaha Omaha Film Festival (OFF) is much different. Marc Film Festival is a week-long opportunity to do Longbrake, program director and Elizabeth Zellner, just that.” said Longbrake. In addition to being OFF Academy Coordinator are very focused on able to view amazing independent films, students getting young people on the right track to pursuing also have the opportunity to interact with the careers in the film industry. filmmakers themselves. OFF offers panels with The whole program began after the founders professionals, Q&A sessions with directors, and took a road trip to a little independent film festival an amazing academy program that students can in the middle of Nebraska participate in. OFF academy thirteen years ago. is a two-day program that “At that time there was allows teens an in-depth not much of an outlet in look at different aspects of Omaha for independent filmmaking. “OFF and OFF films to be seen,” said Jason Academy give students an Levering, executive director opportunity to learn about at OFF. On the way home different filmmaking aspects E l i z a b e t h Z e l l n e r , O F F in a safe, low pressure, from the festival, the three A c a d e m y C o o r d i n a to r fun environment,” said began to question why Omaha didn’t have their own Zellner. “There are industry film festival. And thus, OFF was born a year later in professionals available to talk with students and March of 2006. students also have the opportunity to see many “When I was a child, my mother was a different films from around the world.” professional stage actress so I literally grew up in the If you want to get into the film industry, a theatre,” Zellner said, discussing how she got into common piece of advice seems to be that you need film. She loved to help up with stage productions to experiment and find what you’re passionate and a career in film seemed only natural for about. her. Zellner really enjoys how there’s a place for “Look for opportunities to participate in everyone in the film industry. “You don’t have to the creation process of the art you love,” said be an athlete or be a certain size or fit a certain Longbrake. “Expose yourself to many types of art mold. It’s okay to be yourself and you are accepted.” and find what inspires you!” Zellner also suggests Longbrake on the other hand wanted to join the that students attempt to make movies themselves. industry because of his love for movies.

“Expect to screw up but you will learn from it “I love having the ability to escape into another and know what to do next time,” she said. “Most reality for two hours or to learn from or be inspired importantly,” Zellner added, “don’t give up. You may by another person’s story.” get a lot of no’s, but you only need one yes.”

“ Yo u m a y g e t a lot of no’s, but you only need one yes.”

—

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Plain Beauty

a land of elegance and simplicity s to r y, d e s i g n , a n d p h o to s b y k y n d a l l g o o d w i n

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hen I think of Nebraska, the first thing that comes to mind is a corn-ridden waste-land. No ridged mountains or vast oceans—just a landscape as flat as a plank.

I’ve always dreamed of living somewhere in the mountains, and being able to look out and see something other than endless fields. But, no matter how much I complain about Nebraska, there is something enchanting about a neverending field. Here in the Midwest, we can see

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into the distance for miles without having anything obstruct our view. Sometimes, I think I can see where the Earth starts to curve. You can’t find an endless, golden cornfield anywhere else but the Midwest. When the wind blows in Nebraska, the corn looks like a swaying, aurous sea. We may not have any fancy beaches or towering mountains here, but the land that surrounds us holds a simple beauty I have learned to love.

p h o to e s s a y / / p l a i n b e a u t y

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traveling // florence

Florence, Nebraska an exploration of a hidden gem

story and design by anne stepanek, photos by kyndall goodwin and anne stepanek

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ituated next to the Mormon Bridge on the way to Iowa, Florence has gone relatively unknown for years. The neighborhood has recently been revamped due to new restaurants and businesses while also making events in the area more known.

But they haven’t changed everything. The history of the town still lives in the Mormon Trail Center and the Florence Mill. In the 1800’s Florence was an

important landmark for those wanting to journey West. In 1846, the area was first a pit stop called Winter Quarters. Since then, the town has grown to accommodate a changing lifestyle. People often forget that Omaha has an important history and it is good for citizens to learn about the region they live in. Florence captures the epitome of the Midwest, encompassing history and modern businesses.

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traveling // florence

Harold’s Koffee House P

ictures on the wall of Harold’s are restaurant has become a symbol for Florence. located opposite of the entrance, Harold’s represents the small town feeling revealing the history of an important through the comradery between neighbors part of Florence. Green-colored and friends. Since Bohnencamp has been in booths enclose the large island of stools in the Florence for several years, she has been able to center. Smells of classic American breakfasts get to know the Florence residents well. After such as biscuits and gravy float through the all of these years in Florence, the people of the air. Harold’s, like many other places in the town have become family.

Florence community, “It’s kind of like you has a way of bringing owe the community to people together. The stay here and be part of atmosphere fosters a the community and to sense of community, grow it and take care and the restaurant’s of people, to let folks incredible staff members meet each other in your know the locals well and restaurant,” Bohnencamp talk to them. Harold’s said. “The building is has been an important here and the business is part of owner Nancy here for this long but the — Nancy Bohnencamp’s life people still come to get

Bohnencamp, owner since she was a kid. She to know other people,” believes that keeping the With every visit to restaurant in the family has helped to maintain Harold’s there is an opportunity to make their family feel connections and learn something new.

“I’m one of six kids that worked in the Because of this, many people hold the restaurant business with [my dad] and we restaurant close to their hearts. While much grew in the business,” Bohnencamp said. “I of Florence has changed over the years, started working when I was about 12, and the Harold’s has remained a constant. The homebusiness is almost 60 years old.” style cooking and cozy environment of the As an important part of the area the restaurant isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“It’s kind of like you owe the community to stay here . . . to grow it and take care of people, to let folks meet each other in your restaurant.”

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traveling // florence

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Mormon Trail Center A

majority of Omahans haven’t even seen the Mormon Temple, but Mormon history surrounds people the moment they enter Florence. When the Mormon people first pioneered their way across the west, they made a stop at Winter Quarters, which is modern day Florence. The past Florence is a vital part of the area that people who move here have taken it upon them to learn it.

Sister Church, who is helping at the Mormon Temple, came to Omaha six months ago from Phoenix, Arizona and is interested in the Florence area.

“They came in about 1846 and they were on their way to Salt Lake. They had a two-year treaty with the Indians. The government asked the Mormon Battalion to be in the Mexican-American War, and because those men did that the government gave them a two year treaty to stay,” Their journey was not easy though. They faced many hardships and have a dark past.

Some of the tragic history remains in the cemetery across the street from the Trail Center. While many

of the tombstones no longer exist, a small number can still be seen.

Even with all of the hardships the Mormons faced, they still managed to persevere and be optimistic about their journey.

“They didn’t have that much.

What they had was what they planted and what they did for themselves,” Sister Church said.

“When they stayed here, there was about 400 pioneers who passed away. They didn’t have good coats or any of those things, but no matter what they stayed positive,” As one of the first groups that came West to settle, the Mormons set an example for perseverance.

They founded Salt Lake City, and soon after people started traveling toward California and settling in their own little towns on the was.

Sister Church hopes for people to learn more about the history of Florence, for us to learn about our past places and people in order to appreciate where we live.

“A lot more people should come. I feel like it’s so important to know these things and how this place started and why it’s here,” Sister Church said.

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traveling // florence

Mouth of the South

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outh of the South’s bright purple and pink store front stand out amongst other shops. The inviting colors and the large standout sign brings people in to have a meal inspired by Southern flavors. However, the inside is contradicting to its outside, with dark lighting and a rustic appeal. The walls lined with art make the small interior feel much bigger. In the two years since it has become an

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establishment, its name has become known to the area. One of the servers, Cody Land, provided insight about what makes the area and the restaurant special.

Typically, restaurants in the area provide traditional Midwest flavors, but Mouth of the South has brought a whole new level of flavor.

Southern food is hard to come by in Florence, but Mouth of the South has Southern food

ranging from Po’boys to gizzards. The Southern cooking allows people to try something new. The atmosphere is just as unique as the food. The jazzy blues music playing in the background adds to their unique ambiance. On a weekend night, the restaurant is almost always crowded. “[Mouth of the South] brings in a different vibe, a different feel to the atmosphere than the average diner or restaurant. It adds a little bit of

culture or a different food group that Omaha and Florence generally haven’t seen before,” Lane said.

The Cajun food at Mouth of the South is delectable, with some of the most popular items on the menu being their “Kickin’ Chicken Pasta” or the “Smokestack Burger”. The restaurant’s new flavors are something for the Omaha community to try and will help Florence to continue to flourish.

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Childhood Among the Plains kids draw their midwest

s to r y a n d d e s i g n b y e l i s a b e t h f a c e r , p h o to s b y a n n a g r e e n e

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remember sunny days, racing across the woodchip boobytrapped playground to grab the last swing. I remember the ease of every school day, laughing with friends, and experiencing the joy of learning. I remember running around the neighborhood with barefeet until Utah’s mountains were backlit with orange and pink hues.

I know my childhood experience isn’t wildly unique. As children we grow up seeing the same people and experiencing the same environment day after day. We aren’t taught to see the differences, but rather to see how we are all the same. With this being said, it’s no wonder that I had a culture shock when I moved to Omaha. I was astounded by how the Omaha way of life was so different from my understanding of life.

When we’re young we experience one way of life, and that determines how we perceive the world. When I was a child the glass was half-full, and the grass was greener on the other side.

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It wasn’t until I moved that it really hit me: my childhood experiences and perspective were not universal.

Though I could have treated moving as the worst thing that has happened to me, I have had to learn to love and accept the Midwest. The sunsets, the prevalent welcoming feeling, and the new people I have met have made for a new life experience that is unique to the Midwest. For the majority of the people living here, the Midwest means familiarity or home, but to me it’s still a place of wonder, and a symbol of adventure.

Craze asked students from Prairie Lane Elementary to draw, paint, or make a collage of what living in the Midwest means to them. Their perceptions ranged from stereotypical football and steak dinners to an Omaha we don’t commonly see. Or maybe even the perception of a newby—an outsider looking in. No matter their experience, these Omaha kids are showing what living in the midwest looks like through the eyes of a child.

Leah Filips

Adylen Paul

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Erin Lyle

Lauren Allen 29

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Joey Grace Jenna

Mia Sandwick

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Sienna Bovell

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Tatum Godinez

Lily Boukal

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Just Like Mama Used to Make

westside students share their family recipes s to r y a n d p h o to s b y i v a n r e y e s , d e s i g n b y samantha chesire

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oming from a Latino heritage, when I visited my father’s family in Mexico, there was no day without food being placed in front of me.

Every morning, I would wake up smelling tortillas because of the small family business who made fresh corn and flower tortillas below my uncle’s room. Now I can see why my father loves tortillas so much - the food here can’t compare to that of Mexico. It’s so important to learn and commemorate your family’s recipes, because it reminds me of my own heritage and where my father’s family originated from.

Food brings everyone together. Everybody

eats the traditional American dishes, but not many people experience other recipes from different cultures. That’s why it’s important to honor people’s culture, simply because it’s what makes us unique. Our cultural heritage and background establish our identity and build our lives. We respect our descendants because their history matters. In order for culture to keep on moving, people shouldn’t to be afraid of expressing and showing other people how their family’s culture works. It’s a matter of letting others know how you’re different from them. For this reason, Craze acquired a variety of recipes from students that are from different cultural backgrounds.

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Aya Abdulrazig

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senior

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Farrah Al Twal

senior

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Humans of Omaha faces representing the midwest

story and design by nick protzman, photos by biruk tewodros

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maha is completely underrepresented.

With only a few notable names and places associated with our city, we are often lumped in with Midwestern stereotypes. What you will actually find is a town with lots of potential and genuine people.

With a music scene that has been thriving for years and growing urban areas, Omaha is looked over too often. But coming from a place that is also noticeably racially segregated, we can find ourselves being close-minded and unexposed to other kinds of people and

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cultures. No matter where we come from, behind each face is a story to tell. Many show pride in being from the Midwest, as it holds a different meaning for every individual. Taking influence from Humans of New York, a blog that finds random people walking the streets of New York and gives insight into their lives, Craze decided to do something similar. We went around downtown Omaha and talked to various people that we ran into, showing different viewpoints from the people that represent our city.

“The arts are what keeps me here. I’m really heavily based around arts, my whole lifestyle is. I feel like Omaha is a really artsy town. It’s a growing city. I was raised listening to Sinatra and the Rat Pack, and my dad has played sax ever since I can remember. He got me into it and ever since, I practice on the daily. It’s a real big passion of mine.” - Ian Edie

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“I always said I was going to move when I got older, but I love Omaha. I do laugh when people think Omaha is like [the Midwestern stereotypes], but there are parts of Nebraska that are cornfields but that’s what we’re made of. We’re the Cornhuskers, there’s no shame in that. People are like, ‘you’re from Omaha, is there cows everywhere?’ No, it’s not like that. It’s a cool city and is up-and-coming. It’s really becoming a booming place.” - Hannah Garrido

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opinion // outside the bubble

Around the World traveling outside the midwest

s to r y b y a n a s t a s i y a p e t r o s y a n , d e s i g n b y e l l a p a u l s o n , p h o to b y g r a c e w o l f e

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henever I step foot on foreign soil, I’m attacked with numerous questions about my life in America.

What is life like there? Do the stereotypes match reality? Do all Americans eat eggs and bacon for breakfast? It can be overwhelming, and it’s sometimes difficult to truly describe what it’s like living in the U.S. It can be harder to explain what the Midwest is like without referring to stereotypes.

Throughout my life I’ve traveled to many places like Egypt, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. For the majority of my time living in the United States, I have traveled to different places around the country, exploring different states.

But, whenever I meet someone who has a connection to Omaha, my spirits fill with joy and pride because Omaha has grown to be something more than just the city I live in.

People aren’t always enthusiastic about the Midwest. Sometimes if I tell someone I’m from Omaha, they laugh in my face.

To people from Europe, if I’m not from New York, Chicago or California, I’m irrelevant. To these people, Nebraska is simply corn and cows. However, after

living here for many years, I can see that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what the Midwest has to offer. When I moved here in 2009, areas like Aksarben didn’t exist and many places were barren land. But as the city grew, Omaha became something more than a medium-sized city in the middle of the country.

Traveling outside the country is rewarding and fun regardless of the repetitive questions. Sure, being at home is fun, but exploring new places that I’ve never been to and will probably never go back to before I die just makes my life have a bigger purpose. It fills it with excitement.

The best feeling ever is seeing the reactions of the people around me as I say that I live in Nebraska. It will either be shock, surprise or confusion all masked by a somewhat un-genuine smiling. We may not have hundreds of tourist attractions or many places to go, but that doesn’t make the Midwest boring.

It makes us different than other cities, and it makes us more adventurous and curious. Anytime I go anywhere, I will always enjoy telling people I meet I live in the Midwest because to me, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, but something to be proud of.

“To these people, Nebraska is simply corn and cows”

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Eerie Vibes gas stations at night

s to r y a n d p h o to s b y k e n d a l l b r e k k e , d e s i g n b y w i l l i a m l a r s o n

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s this all for you, ma’am?”

I nod my head and pull out three, crumpled one-dollar bills and throw them on the counter for the store clerk. He watches me suspiciously as I grab my large slushie and teriyaki beef jerky, and quickly make my way out the door. The cold air hits me as I step outside, and I try not to think about it as I sprint to my

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car. I reach the car and hop in, and immediately stick my key in the ignition. As the car roars to life, I crank the heat and slowly pull out of the small eerie parking lot, leaving the gas station behind me. Gas stations at night are a whole other world like an alternate universe. But while mildly scary, there’s something about them that always brings you back.

student featured: junior Taylor Kellogg

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Exhibition Unknown

exploring towns outside of omaha s to r y b y k a t i s t a n z e l , d e s i g n b y e l i s a b e t h f a c e r , p h o to s b y k y n d a l l goodwin and kati stanzel

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ver since I was a little girl, I’ve been an explorer. I was the kid on the playground who wouldn’t share the plastic telescope on top of the slide tower with anyone, as I aspired to be like the Vikings, discovering a new land to call home. I craved adventure, and my imagination was just as wild then as it is now. I still think of myself as an explorer—just in a different way.

Instead of being the captain of a ship, I am the commander of my Honda CRV. It’s typical of me to just randomly go out on drives with hope of discovering something new. New libraries, new art galleries, new parks—it’s the little places like these that hold the most value to me.

Because Omaha is so large, many people forget the spirit of discovery. They get stuck in one place, only thinking about where they need to be at a certain time, not wanting to go out and explore their city. It’s easy to forget there are other towns that surround Omaha that are just as unique as the Big O. Craze took the time to find the cute, little towns in Nebraska that are definitely worth the journey, for there are many treasures still waiting to be discovered in these special places.

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Springfield

17.7 miles from Omaha

With a layout similar to downtown Omaha, Springfield is a hotspot for people traveling on I-80 West. It’s home to famous Midwest attractions such as the Sarpy County Fair, the Sarpy County Rodeo, and Springfield Artworks.

All of these places, and many more businesses, are found on Main Street—a busy hub for travelers and residents alike.

The businesses on Main Street capture the beauty of Springfield. Driving through the business district is like driving through the heart of the town. Home Town Bling, a woman’s boutique, is one of the many shops that caught our eye when we drove through Main Street.

“It’s a beautiful community,” Home Town Bling employee, Lisa Wilsey, said. “We’re a very close knit community, and if you have a business here, everybody supports you. We want our locals to succeed and that’s what makes it fun.”

Whether you’re looking for a small town shopping experience or a fun time at the Sarpy County Fair, Springfield is an adventure that’s only an hour away from home.

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Louisville

23.2 miles from Omaha Louisville is a small town built for any kind of traveler.

If someone takes a wrong turn, it’s not a problem. In Louisville, they’ll just run into another fun thing to do or place to see. For example, Louisville Recreation Area is a camping ground hidden in the beautiful woods right in front of the business district. However, if you turn the other way, you’ll run into an art gallery, a library, and two boutiques. There are many beautiful treasures hidden in the town. It just takes the right eye to see them.

Coop de Ville, a sister shop to Home Town Bling in Springfield, has clothing, accessories, and trinkets that aren’t found anywhere else. Coop de Ville employee, Cindy Hanson, is content working in Louisville. “[I love] the small town atmosphere, the friendliness, and the fact that everyone knows everyone,” Hanson said.

The sense of community spreads beyond town borders, which is one of the many things residents love about the area. With things to do for just about anyone, Louisville is a place filled with excitement for any adventurer.

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Greenwood

33.6 miles from Omaha

Greenwood is a small town filled with more houses than businesses, and the drive there is as simple and beautiful as the town itself. As a land filled with windmills, farms, and friendly people, Greenwood is a town for the best detectives, because adventure can only be found when people look hard enough.

Though Greenwood was one of the smallest towns on our adventure on I-80, it holds one of the most wellknown treasures of the Midwest: Baker’s Candies.

Baker’s Candies is a place that all ages can enjoy.

The shop is filled with a collection of retro candy, new candy, and homemade chocolate creations. The little shop is the center of attention in Greenwood, especially during the holiday times.

Teenagers and adults from Greenwood can agree on one thing: their town is a quiet place for thinking.

There are treasures for every kind of explorer, as long as they’re willing to do the work to find them.

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Ashland

27.3 miles from Omaha People never know what they can find in Ashland, and this is probably because they never really know when they’re in Ashland. The town is spread out across several miles, filling the boring plains with random pockets of excitement like the SAC Museum, Mahoney State Park, and the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari. On average, each attraction is about five miles away from the next, while the businesses and housing are in a completely different area of Ashland. According to SAC Museum staff member, Bob Ruwe, there is a reason behind the randomness of each location.

“It was designed for this section [of the Midwest] to really grow,” Ruwe said. “It’s definitely starting to. We’re halfway between Omaha and Lincoln, and just look how much they’re growing this way.”

Ashland’s unique collection of activities and attractions keeps growing and already serves as a halfway point between Omaha and Lincoln. The plains are calming to drive through, while the attractions are exciting to go to— definitely making Ashland a center of adventure.

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music // local music playlist

Local Fire

songs by local artists s to r y b y r i c h i e p o r r a s , d e s i g n b y e l l a p a u l s o n , p h o to s b y l i l l i m a r v i n a n d r i c h i e p o r r a s

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usic makes the world go round and speaks to others universally. As civilians that lives in Nebraska we have trouble creating and sharing our art with others.

Our struggle is to create something new, something no one has heard or thought of. Staying up all night trying to find the right rhythm to mix with the right sounds. Hoping that others will find as much joy

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hearing it, as you are creating it.

Assembling lyrics that reflect what your thinking and where your life is at. Sharing some of your most interpersonal stories, deep in your mind and soul, hoping that it will be heard. This is some of Nebraska’s raw talent that it has to offer. This is a taste of our hip-hop and trap influenced beats. Enjoy this spacemotional production and creative power these local artist offer.

Sacred Grove //. S I R I S Ø

Peace & Serenity Black //OYET Permission // Money$hotProd Toodaloo // Steelo TooFooly nova // Johnny Parkins What, Hello // OYET Swan //. S I R I S Ø

Nothing More Than Feelings // Roa Minds of Mercury // alajia

Northside // Steelo TooFooly

The End of the Journey // OYET

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Inspiration from Home highlighting a local best-selling author story by emily hammans, design by isabella tyler, and photos by william larson

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fe a t u r e / / r a i n b ow r owe l l

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alking into a small, local bookstore in Just as she described Omaha in a in interview the middle of Omaha, the first thing you for Yalsa, Rowell is, “unpretentious.” This quality notice are the smiles on the staff ’s faces. is just one of the things she loves about Omaha.

Helpful questions chime out from behind a desk Rowell also attributes her writing style to growing piled high with books. The personnel’s attitude up here.

This friendliness is a distinctive quality of native “I grew up reading The World-Herald and then Nebraskans—even the famous ones. When most working there, which gave me a specific journalistic people think of an award-winning author, they style and also lots of insight into the community,” don’t think of someone who has lived her whole life Rowell said in an over-Twitter interview. She was a in Omaha Nebraska, but Rainbow Rowell defies the reporter and columnist for twelve years before she stereotype. began writing fiction.

Rowell is the author of bestHowever, the road from selling books such as Eleanor & Omaha to success wasn’t always Park, Landline, and most recently, easy for her.

Carry On. She has also won “I think it was hard for me to Goodreads Choice Awards Best sort out how publishing works,” Fiction and Best Young Adult Rowell said. “I didn’t have any Fiction. Despite this fame, Rowell connections; I didn’t know any doesn’t let this fame get to her authors. It took me awhile to get

— Rainbow Rowell head; the thing most people notice published, and then to acclimate.” about her is her down-to-earth, Despite these difficulties, she humble, and kind nature. says she wouldn’t trade her experience if it meant “She’s pretty famous and doesn’t really act not calling Omaha her home. When asked why she like it­—she comes across as very normal,” Vane stayed here, she replied, “Why would I move? I can Fletcher, Westside Alumnus and employee of The write books as well here as anywhere.”

Bookworm said.

“Why would I move? I can write books as well here as anywhere.”

Visit Rowell’s website for more inforrmation, or follow her twitter @rainbowrowell

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I Spy...

capturing classic nebraskan scenes s to r y b y i s a b e l l a t y l e r , d e s i g n b y j u l i a s t e i n e r , p h o to s b y l y d i a k a s e m a n d k y n d a l l g o o d w i n

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e’ve all passed through the country, but usually with a more exciting final destination. Most of us have probably experienced skidding along dirt roads, causing our cars to be caked in dust. Small farmhouses and wind turbines line the highway, resting in layers of cornfields. In the distance, a rusty windmill sits. Cows glare at you as you speed past them,

leaving them behind in the dirt.

Though all of these are common Midwest occurrences, many of us don’t always appreciate them. Living in the city can cause us to forget the true essence of Nebraska. So whether you live in the city or the country, the following photo essay will introduce the Midwest that people have been missing for a long time.

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opinion // trump in the midwest

Learning to Accept what trump means for midwest

s to r y a n d g r a p h i c b y e m m a ko p p l i n , d e s i g n b y e l l a p a u l s o n

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lection season; amusing for some, stressful for all. This one, the 2016-2017 election was especially difficult. Hillary Clinton, secretary, democrat versus Donald Trump, billionaire, republican. Either way, history would be made. A first woman presidential candidate vs a candidate with no past political or military experience. Donald Trump won, and the nation reacted in different ways. Some parts of the country celebrated, others revolted. But here in the Midwest, things are still very divided.

Everything from intense worship of the man, to local schools walking out in protest.

Two of the issues that affect the Midwest and its people are his plans for immigration and the communities it affects, his attitude towards these minorities and LGBTQ communities and how this attitude affects the next generation. As a study from Forbes shows, the demographic of Trump voters were 2-to-1 people without a college degree and majority white, leaving many minorities behind.

Trump’s treatment of immigrants is something the Midwest will be immediately affected.

“They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists.” Trump said while talking about undocumented Mexican immigrants after announcing his candidacy June 2016.

In a study by Slate (2010) there were over 1,220,000 illegal immigrants in the Midwest, desperately trying to call it their home, and since then this number has only grown. These immigrants are not rapists and drug dealers, they’re mostly people trying to find a good life.

“We’re going to build the wall, and we’re going to

stop it. It’s going to end.” Trump said March 2016, as a solve to illegal immigration. Only problem with his plan, a September study in 2015, from Politifact, shows that more than 40% of illegal immigrants actually get here by plane; making a fence irrelevant in the grand scheme. The only thing Trump’s plans would do, would spend more tax payer money and uproot innocent communities and families.

And then there is Trump’s undeniable unacceptance of the adult LGBTQ community.

“There can be no discrimination against gays. I’m against gay marriage.” Trump said in 2011. “I am a traditionalist. I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist.” It’s a good thing gay marriage was legalized before he came into presidency, it’s a right he hopefully will not take away. This intolerance is not what the world needs, instead of progressing, Trump’s attitude creates an uneasy attitude towards the LGBTQ community and sets the example for the rest of the country to target these communities.

Not only are his comments affecting the adult life of America, but it’s future voters as well. Teaching Tolerance, an organization founded on educating the public of tolerance, sent out an anonymous survey to about 2,000 teachers asking about how the election is affecting their students. A few of their replies were as follows, “Students from families supporting Republican candidates, especially (but not limited to) Trump, have been much more vocal about their distrust of Muslims and President Obama.” And “I think Trump’s rude and brash behavior teaches my students that they can act like

“ ultimately, the president doesn’t change the country— its people do”

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that.” And “Conversation is so negative and there is not way for it not to be. Adults need to be role models, not playground bullies.”

Children need a better remodel than how Trump’s attitude perceives him. Minority children feeling unsafe in their schools, young girls being disrespected by their male peers and all in all intolerance; this is not what America needs.

The resounding question of this election, what to do now? To protest or to move on? The answer involves both. Acceptance of the presidency is just as important

as the civil disobedience against his prejudices. Not all of his ideas are bad. Several of his thoughts and goals for our economy would really help the United States. But what is left now is to show tolerance and acceptance of everyone as human beings, not illegal immigrants or anyone else who makes you feel “not feel right”. Everyone has a right to be as they are, and ultimately the president doesn’t change the country— its people do. And here in the Midwest, change is happening and the people can form this region anyway they want. Be ready and be a part of it.

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p h o to e s s a y / / s t a r g a z i n g

students featured: juniors Darci Simmons and Miriam Marcus

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Aren’t They Lovely watching big balls of fire in the sky

s to r y b y k a e l y n m e t t l e r , d e s i g n b y w i l l i a m l a r s o n , p h o to s b y k e n d a l l b r e k k e

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magine the bright beautiful stars you have followed since adolescence, the gleaming mystery balls of gas scattered across the sky like an explosion. Whether it be a warm breezy night in the spring, or a cold cuddle fest late-fall, a typical go-to, night adventure is star-gazing. These scenic locations in good old

Nebraska feature some places that you may enjoy if you’re planning star-gazing in the Midwest.

When it comes to star gazing it isn’t necessarily about the stars, but about the time you have that makes it memorable! Whether that be alone or grabbing a few pals, you should definitely try out these gorgeous places and gaze up at the stars.

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Here at Craze, we pledge allegiance to keeping it real.

To giving a voice to the unheard students To expressing emotions through art To being too loud To avoiding clichés like the plague To finding a reason to celebrate at all times To gaining life long friends Because what makes Craze unique is the family that forms with it, Making each issue the product of a lot of love.

We hope after reading you: Want to explore the restaurants and shops of your town Have gained solace from a personal story that hits close to home Begin to look at the world around you differently Or maybe feel like your school isn’t so bad after all And that’s just why we’re here, us cool and relatable teens.

Because Craze helps you not care what others think But encourages you to think for yourself.