Craze Issue One: Orientation by Craze Magazine

cra ze the orientation issue

issue

/ volume

/ september

2014

contents

table of contents

assert yourself

contributors

host your own dinner party

graffiti to greatness

how to get or lose a job

street style

clark & company

overcoming expectations

westsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s utopias

diy: road trip

a bucket list you might do

fresh restaurants

the garage sale engineer

managing the musical

westsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fall fashions

glitter and glam

ask a teacher

diy: beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art kit

calendar

A note from the editors... s the school year drags on, I know the last thing on many of your minds is a beginning. Summer already feels like years ago, memories made and forgotten under the boiling sun. We live in a new world now. A world of fluorescent lights, Homecoming drama, and hours of homework. It’s easy to forget what came before. Here at Craze, we don’t want you to. Though the beginning of the school year is over, it’s never too late to start again. We can still feel the excitement of buying new school supplies or the rush of productivity that accompanies every school year and lasts approximately a week and a half. New starts come with new vigor and new interest in life. All that matters is our attitude. That’s why for this issue, we chose Orientation as our theme. We wanted to explore not only our beginnings but also the way we orient ourselves in our school. This issue will provide you with any number of helpful guides and tips for the rest of your school year and hopefully your life. It will also help you realize who you are and who you could be. It will allow you to make your place in this world a little clearer. Most importantly, it will help you start fresh. So, without further ado, let’s begin. Welcome back, Westside.

contributors

to the issue...

editors in chief: 1) Allie Laing 2) Lia Hagen

staff:

managing editors: 3) Tom Huerter 4) Lilli Marvin design editor: 5) Kirsten McCormack photo editor: 6) Abegale Headlee copy editors: 7) Grace Wolfe 8) Estella Fox

9) Jake Larsen 10) Jaylee Johnson 11) Sarah Lemke 12) Bridget Mizener 13) Jenna Hynek 14) Elise Tucker 15) Lauren Chesire 16) Maddie Look

17) Ally Guenette 18) Aaron Casey 19) Nikki Saner 20) Abby Hack 21) Claire Wilson 22) Casey Arritt 23) Audrey McCann

feature: spray paint art

STREETS

TO CANVAS

SENIOR TRANSFORMS GRAFFITI INTO ART

design, story, and photos by claire wilson

feature: spray paint art

hen I asked Matt Babe about how he got started with street art, he smirked at me and admitted, “Every artist who wants to make it big time in the graffiti business starts illegally.” Babe was just 13 years old when he began scribbling with markers on playground equipment. He and his friends would write the word “cruze” because of their love for skateboarding. As this ritual progressed, so did their handiwork. Stroke by stroke, Babe developed his own style of self-expression through spray painting.

them inspiration. “Although I was not overjoyed at first, it turned out to be a good decision for me,” Babe said. Babe owes his success to his mentor, Steve Walsh — a man with a knack for persistence. “Previously, [Walsh] told me I was un-teachable because I would always throw too much paint and go overboard on the murals, and he would have to go back over it,” Babe said. “I think the reason he was so rough on me was because he knew I had so much potential.” Now Babe and Walsh are closer than ever. As a mentor, he helps Babe find potential jobs and prepare for upcoming shows. Together, they paint murals that are scattered throughout Omaha. “Usually during the process of a mural is when we really connect,” Babe said. Ari Rauhauser, one of Babe’s best friends and fellow students at Kent Bellows, is another person who helped Babe in his work. “We both encouraged each other to try different lettering, and my mentor helped me out with that too,” Babe said. Babe’s artwork can be seen at many locations. His murals accent

he [babe] views the world as a canvas for his imagination. However, after an incident with a police officer, Babe was left with a charge of vandalism and a decision to make. He needed to find a way to make his art legal.The solution was simple: Babe was forced to ditch the abandoned walls and train cars of Omaha and begin painting on canvas. An opportunity for him to improve his art came through the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program. This program pairs professional artists with high school students to improve their technique and give

multiple bridges on the Keystone Bike Trail, and one wraps around a staircase in the downtown library. His most meaningful piece hangs outside of the Juvenile Detention Center. “Eye could be” sprays across the canvas in beveled letters. To Babe, this painting represents that “‘I could be’ inside that building or ‘I could be’ whoever I set out to be.” Babe spends his time off working on commission pieces. At the Maha Festival two years ago, Babe, Drew Shifter, and Chor Boogie, a foreign artist, painted a mural alongside the Omaha community. “I liked how it was interactive, and there were even boards sitting out with markers so people could tag their name,” Babe said. “The paint was prime and everything. It was one of my favorite events.” This wasn’t the first time Babe showed off his skills. A year prior, during Jazz on the Green, Mutual of Omaha hired Babe to spray paint a piano that had been donated to them. The force that drives Babe in his passion for art is the desire to create pieces that people can’t help but stop and contemplate when they pass by. He views the world as a canvas for his imagination, and he will continue to change people’s perspectives on vandalism for years to come.

fashion: street style

STREET STYLE

WESTSIDErs FLAUNt their FASHION during football GAMES design by lia hagen, photos by lia hagen, sarah lemke, and kirsten mccormack

opinion: expectations

live your own life moving past other s expectations of who you should be story by jenna hynek, design by abegale headlee

ishing with my dad was what I looked forward to most as a kid, but as I got older, it started to feel like an obligation. Every time we go to South Dakota, I worry about impressing him. I have to get the biggest fish. I have to learn to clean them. I have to make him proud of me. I want to be the son he never had, the daughter cool enough to hang out with her dad when other girls are worried about

peers. I never wanted to let my friends down. I was constantly being overwhelmed with late night crying phone calls and endless screenshots of messages from new ex-boyfriends. I was always listening and trying to understand. I knew my friends counted on me to be there when no one else was and they trusted me with their private information. However, it always seemed like no matter how hard I tried to help, they were still questioning if I cared about them. It was like nothing I did for them was appreciated, and that’s the worst feeling ever. Trying to make my friends happy made me more and more depressed. When I saw them upset, it made me feel like I was worthless, which no one should ever feel. My friends’ expectations crushed me. No matter how late I would stay up for them, my advice was never used. I lost who I was in the process of figuring out how to cheer them up. Our own feelings should be put before anyone else’s. Worrying about other people’s opinions is only going to make you more upset, so embrace who you are and don’t be afraid to say no to other’s peoples standards. Last year, I was overwhelmed by my teachers. I was expected to volunteer as a science olympiad for my science class, while my literature teacher needed me to shag balls for his soccer game later that night in addition to writing a paper for my history class. I tried juggling all of these things and ended up forgetting about one of

“eMBRACE EXPECTATIONS YOU SET FOR YOURSELF.” shopping with their moms. He was and still is my entire life, and all I wanted to do was make him proud. We all have idols. They can be your mom, always there with bandaids and a kiss when you scraped your knee, or your wise grandfather who gives you old school lectures, the talks we all pretend to hate but secretly love. These people are our real heroes. We feel like we have to meet the standards they hold for us, which sometimes inspires us to be perfect people, but most of the time it just leaves us feeling stressed out, hurt, and useless. The same is true for our

the things I cared about most: my basketball career. I had to skip an important meeting that was supposed to put me on a selected summer team to improve my skills for the fall. After this, I realized that something needed to change, and it was me. I had a talk with my basketball coach, and he understood my position and still let me compete with the team. I also had talks with my science and literature teachers letting them know I couldn’t be there all the time for their extracurricular activities. They were both disappointed I couldn’t join as often, and for a half second I thought about changing my mind, but I stuck to basketball because I knew I would be happier. I also sat down with my dad one day, and we had a talk about how I felt like I had to be like the sons his friends had in order to make him

proud. There were lots of tears from me and lots of sad looks from my father because it turns out those standards I thought he had weren’t even there. All he wanted was to spend quality time with me. We can now go fishing together with less stress, and it’s enjoyable knowing I don’t have to impress anyone or meet those nonexistent standards. That crushing feeling of trying to be perfect is now gone. The same can happen for you. Embrace expectations you set for yourself; start fresh with what you want. If you’re a football player who wants to try ballet, try it. If you’re a girl who wants to join the gaming club, go for it. Stop worrying about other people’s standards. Once I began to worry about what I wanted, happiness progressively came back to me, and I know the same will happen for you.

Songs to jam out to when you are just being you! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

“born this way” : lady gaga “do my thang” : miley cyrus “all me” : drake ft. 2 chainz and big shawn “doin it right” : jack and jack “express yourself” : madonna “we r who we r” : kesha “man in the mirror” : michael jackson “tie me down” : new boyz

diy: road trip

DIY ROAD TRIP

WITH SCHOOL IN SESSION, DO THE THINGS YOU WANTED TO THIS SUMMER

story and photos by grace wolfe, design by lia hagen xploring the open road is a timeless endeavor, whether you have a destination or you’re driving just to drive. As a child, our only road trips were family vacations. We alternated between being bored and being annoyed, and we crammed our bodies into the least uncomfortable position to try and get some sleep. During these trips, we would dream about the excitement of our teenage years. So it’s no surprise that, when you actually become a teenager, summers are the prime time to live out those childhood aspirations. Once summer ends, however, you’re left with an empty feeling in your chest where your uncompleted summer adventures should’ve been. Although school has started, there’s still a chance to recreate the freedom of summer. A road trip is a cheap way to create lasting memories with friends, let go of the summer, and officially welcome in the beginning of a wonderful year.

1. gather food

2. make a mix tape

Nacho cheese smeared under the seats and sticky cup holders just add character to your car. Let’s be honest, the best part of anything is usually the food. Road trip snacks hold a special place in our hearts. Stopping at gas stations is fine, but the variety is cut down and the price is way up. As an alternative, hit up the Dollar Store where you can get anything for, well, a dollar. Off-brand bags of chips and obscure candies fill the aisles, all ready for you to tear open.

Mix tapes are a lost art. They’re an essential road trip component; music creates the soundtrack to the adventure. Get all of your passengers to create a playlist and take turns playing them. You’ll never know what song will come next. Your mix tape should have a combination of different genres and moods. Upbeat songs result in group singing and reckless dance moves, while a slow melancholy one will be great for looking longingly out the window and pretending to be in a deep music video.

3. bring things to do

4. tell stories

Let’s face it: you will get bored. There’s always a point in the journey where everyone wants to be quiet and get lost in their own minds. If you’re not one who gets carsick, bring some magazines or books to flip through. The Dollar Store also provides crosswords, Sudoku, and coloring books. You could also play cards or one of those mini board games with the person next to you. There’s only one rule: whatever you bring to entertain yourself, it has to be better than playing “I Spy.”

When you’re stuck in a car with people for hours on end, trading stories and jokes makes everything 300 times more enjoyable. Invite a new friend to come along and learn about them or bring old friends to re-hash some of your greatest (or worst) moments. Create new stories by taking a detour to track down that fresh melon stand advertised on the main road or stopping at a small town to meet locals. Sharing stories on your road trip will feed into the overall experience, making the journey an everlasting memory.

food: new restaurants

discover new food check out these underappreciated omaha eateries

story by jaylee johnson, design by jenna hynek, photos by abegale headlee

food: new restaurants

Picasso s Pizza he first thing that catches my eye is the peeling yellow paint hanging from the walls. The restaurant smells of cheese and grease. A sweet old lady greets me with a “Hey there! What do you want today?” The thing that sets Picasso’s Pizza apart from any other pizza shop is that they cook your food right

in front of you, which makes it convenient and fun. Their house special pizza consists of marinated tomatoes, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese. The consistency of the ricotta gives this pizza a twist, differentiating it from the typical cheese that every other pizzeria sells. For a real homemade taste, make your way on down to Picasso’s.

4963 Center St.

Mon-Sat 1-9 p.m. 18

402-614-7113

Doc & Eddies A

s I walk into Doc & Eddie’s BBQ, the charcoal smell hits me, and it feels like I’m in heaven. With the St. Louis Style ribs, beef brisket, and bulk platters, it’s clear this restaurant believes in tasty home-cooking. “We’re different from our competitors because everything’s homemade, not brought in from a store

6881O S 168 st.

or factory,” said John, an employee from Doc & Eddie’s. For the same low price as a homemade meal, you can get a delicious pulled pork sandwich with your choice of a side. The unique atmosphere will almost make you feel like your dad is cooking up greatness on the grill.

11 a.m.-8 p.m. 19

402-895-7427

food: new restaurants

Ted & Wallys ed & Wally’s neon ice cream sign will send you to the 1950’s. The flavors of the day are written on a chalkboard for all to see. The unique names of these flavors leave many people puzzled. “We have many wacky flavors,” said manager Robert Little. “One of our owners does a lot of research for new flavors and looks a lot to other cultures.”

However, Ted & Wally’s doesn’t just have ice cream cones. A unique dessert served at Ted & Wally’s is called the egg cream soda. It’s exactly what it sounds like: egg cream and soda mixed together. It’s one of the best non-ice cream desserts you’ll ever taste. All in all, this restaurant goes beyond what Goodrich or Dairy Queen serves, and their employees always serve it with a smile.

112O Jackson st.

11 a.m.-1O p.m. 20

402-341-5827

Plank

ith the wooden architecture inside, the little nautical details on the windows, and the blue and white striped napkins, Plank makes it feel as if a wave will come crashing through the window any second. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re craving seafood, but not the sushi kind, try this coastal inspired restaurant. Manager Matt Carper recently managed Sushi Blue, which is many peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite place to go on the

12O5 Howard St.

weekends, and after working there, he took his talents to Plank. They offer many varieties of fish, oysters, and lobster bisque. This is a great way to get seafood in your diet without eating mushy-gushy sushi. The peaceful atmosphere makes it a great place to get together with old friends. Although the items on the regular menu can be pricy, their happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is a great time to go for a casual date.

Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-close 21

402-507-4480

snapshots: glitter

sparkles rock

PHOTOS DEDICATED TO GLITTER AND GLAM

story, design, and photos by kirsten mccormack

It wasn’t until I viciously painted all of my nails in about four coats of sparkly nail polish that I began to fall in love with glitter. After that, the obsession became real. There wasn’t a day for at least a week that I wasn’t covered in specks of sparkles. They remind me of New Years, of a million resolutions made and broken only a few weeks later. For this, Craze’s first issue, I wanted to capture that feeling. With these photos, I hope to make our school year, already way too long, feel exciting and new. students featured: junior jasmyn ross, sophomore lauren mankin, senior ellie kroeger

Playlist: you go girl glamorous - fergie material girl - madonna just a girl - no doubt primadonna - marina and the diamonds girls just want to have fun - cyndi lauper pretty girl rock - keri hilson

bad reputation - joan jett respect - aretha franklin

snapshots: glitter

diy: art kit

a beginner s guide to spicing up your kit

story by aaron casey, photos and design by kirsten mccormack

roken papers and pencils combined with shoddy paints and colors are a frequent problem for beginning and even experienced artists. This DIY will make sure you don’t fall prey to those problems by explaining how to successfully customize your very own beginner’s art kit. If you want to truly personalize your art kit, then make it relate to who you are. Follow your own vision and ensure you’re satisfied with every step, and we guarantee your art kit will turn out great. If you ever think you messed up when creating your designs, start again. That’s the beauty of art.

art essentials: Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Princeton RealValue Brushes

Studio Drawing Pencils Set

Blick Studio Acrylics

Marvy Fabric Markers

Strathmore Sketch Pads

things you need:

a hip storage container

hot glue gun or regular glue

patches, stickers, and more

creativity and a drive for fun

Assemble an assortment of cool items, such as patches, to put on your art kit

Before you glue the patches, get an idea of where you want to place them

Glue in the patches around the kit

Let the glue dry, and you have your very own decorated art kit.

opinion: assert yourself

how to stand up for youRself for when subtweeting JUST CAN NOT SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS photo, story, and design by lia hagen, playlist by estella fox

There are some comments that stick with you forever. They don’t have to be important. Usually they’re throwaways, casual observations by someone who doesn’t want to hurt your feelings. Your friend tells you your calves are big or laughs at something you worked hard on. Maybe your parents rolled your eyes when you were telling them about your day. They didn’t mean anything by it. It was probably an accident. It’s just that now, every time you look in the mirror, your eyes flick down to your huge calves. You hide your artwork or writing from everyone, afraid of being mocked. When your parents ask you about your day, you just say it was fine. No one ever really wants to talk about it. It’s so much easier just to curl up in a ball and hide from your problems. If we can all just pretend like it’s okay to hate your friends or to feel disrespected, maybe it will be.

But it will never be okay. If you’re having issues in your life, you need to be able to deal with those problems head on. It’s one of the most important life skills in my mind, something everyone needs to learn. We should be handing out booklets in preschool, creating handy dandy guides to social interaction. Oh, you’re going to meet people outside of your family for the first time? Well, here’s how to stop them from being jerks. Because they will be jerks. Even if it’s on accident, even if they don’t mean it, even if you don’t want to deal with it. Everyone can be selfish. The answer is to not run away. We can’t spend our lives avoiding our problems. It just makes them bigger. Instead, check out these steps and learn how to confront a problem face on. Learn how to be assertive, and I promise, your life will get better. It may take time, and it will take effort, but it will happen. So, without further ado....

opinion: assert yourself

1. REALIZE YOU DESERVE THINGS Contrary to popular belief, most of the teenagers I know are not self-possessed ego fiends. They’re wrecks. They secretly hate themselves and their bodies more often than not, and even the people who love themselves never quite meet their own needs. Many of them buy nice clothes and spend hours on makeup, but they let their friends or parents walk all over them. Despite this, I understand some of what people mean when they criticize the sense of entitlement many Americans possess. It’s strange that we believe we have earned everything we have based on an inherent right, while we deny those same rights to millions of others. But here’s the reality: You do deserve things. Not everything, mind you. You definitely don’t deserve everything. You probably don’t deserve a million dollars or that choice parking spot, nor do you really need to make out with your crush. You aren’t born with an inherent right to the world, but you still have things you deserve control over. You deserve to have control over your life and yourself. Simply by being a human being, you have earned the right to as much respect as you show others. You should be able to determine who you hang

out with, when, and for how long. I’ve seen too many people let others step on them because they don’t understand they deserve more. Once I watched as a girl’s best friend mocked her openly, to her face. The friend wasn’t being funny or joking, and the first girl was clearly uncomfortable. Yet she continued to be friends with her for years. When I asked her about it, she admitted it bothered her but said it was just her friend’s personality. She said it like that explained everything. It didn’t. I don’t care who your friend is — or your teacher, or your girlfriend, or anyone in your life, for that matter. You have the right to feel comfortable. You have the right to your life. If someone really needs to be a jerk, they can find someone else to be a jerk to. Unfortunately, they don’t always give up so easily. With that in mind...

2. BE READY FOR CONFLICT Now, I’m guessing the fact that you’re reading an article about how to stand up for yourself is proof that you aren’t the biggest fan of conflict. I can get that. It’s messy and complicated and stressful, and it can fracture important relationships if it’s not handled well. That said, sometimes conflict is the only way to get things done.

We’re not in middle school anymore. We can’t ask our friend to talk to our other friend about what a total jerk they were at Mackenzie’s sleepover, ohmygod. Nor can we make passive aggressive comments and subtweets and expect things to get better. They won’t. When someone is behaving in a way that’s detrimental to you or to your relationship, you need to be ready to sit down and have an honest discussion with them. And by honest discussion, I don’t mean you should tell them what a jerk they are or be rude to them. Rather, I think you should lay out the way you feel about the situation and leave room for them to do the same. Let them know you understand where they’re coming from, but make it clear how their actions affect you. The thing is, most people are pretty decent. Whether they’re a teacher, a friend, or a parent, they understand what it’s like to be a person with, y’know, feelings. If you try to relate to them, they’ll often try to relate to you in turn. If it’s a particularly difficult situation, write out a script. Plan out your talking points. If you know they’ll overreact and scream in person, text or call them. If you think they’ll misinterpret what you say over text, organize a time for you to meet in person. The how and where of the conflict vary from situation to situation. The

important thing is that you are willing to fight for the respect and consideration you deserve. Ideally, your friends would return the favor. That said…

nothing you can do. You may have to distance yourself from that friend or, with parents and teachers, grit your teeth and wait it out. The important thing is that you tried. You can’t go through life expecting all of your relationships to be perfect. Conflicts will arise, and you’ll have to deal with them. On some days, they just won’t be solvable. Still, you should always...

3. know things will not always go your way

4. believe they will be

It’s a harsh fact of the world that sometimes life sucks. Sometimes you just slam your finger into a door or feel like crap for no reason. We all wish we could do something about it, but there are times when we just can’t. Not every relationship is worth having, not every teacher will have your back, and your parents won’t always understand you. If you communicate your feelings honestly and they still don’t listen, there’s

Yes, life is hard, but that’s no reason to give up hope. If you are willing to respect others and fight for your right to be respected as well, nothing should stop you from having healthy, happy relationships. As hard as it may be, hold onto that optimism. You’ll find a way to get what you deserve.

SCREW YOU A PLAYLIST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TIRED OF BEING MATURE and just want to get mad 1. crown on the ground -sleigh bells

5. unhappy birthday -the smiths

2. ocean breathes salty -modest mouse

6. you’re so vain -carly simon

3. now, now -st vincent

7. same boy you’ve always known -the white stripes

4. box elder -pavement

8. regret -fiona apple

food: dinner party

save the cash expensive homecoming meals made at home story and design by estella fox, photos by sarah lemke

Every year, just as we put away our beginning of school syllabi and settle into a routine, a new and terrifying challenge emerges: Homecoming. The seemingly simple dance comes with a million small problems and a nearly endless planning stage. In addition to who weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be going with, we have to figure out what to wear, where to take photos, transportation, and post-dance plans. We wanted to make your Homecoming night a

little easier. Instead of having to make reservations and paying a lot out of pocket for an overpriced dish, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll show you an inexpensive and fun alternative to eating out. Cooking with friends is a great way to get excited for the night, and your fancy plates are sure to impress all of your guests. This three-course meal serves four people, but you can scale it up to serve any amount of people.

food: diy: glitterdinner project party

0536

APPETIZER salad with balasamic vinegarette Ingredients: 1 tub baby arugula Cranberries Walnuts

Instructions: Blue cheese Combine first four ingredients in a bowl. Then whisk 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar balsamic vinegar and olive oil in a separate bowl to 1/2 cup olive oil combine. Add vinegarette to salad, and serve.

food: dinner party

Entree Pork chop with balasamic reduction Ingredients: 4 center cut pork chops 16 small potatoes 2 bushels asparagus 4 tbs. olive oil

8 shallots 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1 1/2 tsp. sugar Salt Pepper

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375. Quarter the potatoes, and toss asparagus and potatoes in half the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden

brown. Pat dry pork chops and season with salt and pepper. Quarter shallots, leaving the roots on, and pan fry with the pork chop on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until both sides of the meat are browned. Take the pork out to rest (it should not be fully cooked), and add balsamic vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the pan. Cook for about two minutes or until it reduces by half. Add the pork back in to finish cooking, and cover it with the reduction. Once meat has cooked for one to two minutes, serve.

diy: glitter project

0539

food: dinner diy: glitter project party

0540

DESSERT ICE CREAM WITH CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL SAUCE Ingredients: 1 tub of vanilla ice cream 1/2 cup sugar 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate

high heat, without touching it, for about two minutes or until sugar begins to melt. Stir occasionally for two to three minutes or until sugar is melted into a deep caramel color. Remove from heat and pour in cream. Once bubbles stop forming, stir in chocolate until smooth. Pour warm sauce over ice cream, add berries and mint, and serve.

3/4 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup rasberries 1/2 cup blueberries 8 mint leaves

Instructions: Place sugar in a small heavy saucepan over medium-

diy: get/lose a job

A job poorly doneAND story and design by tom huerter

any high school students find themselves spending their summers bagging groceries or flipping hamburgers. Although these menial jobs fill the average teenager’s bank account with more Taco Bell money, they do get old. Sometimes you need to find some new surroundings. Parents may force you to remain employed, so quitting your job is not an option. This leaves you with only one choice: get fired.

firing 1. hide

3. Use your phone

Hiding is the best way to be presently absent. Storage rooms and closets are the best hiding spots, so bring an iPad or laptop and pass the time by watching Netflix or scrolling through Tumblr. Be sure to make a lot of noise so your employer will walk in on you. When they start to yell at you, put your headphones in to let them know you don’t care.

Most jobs have a no phone use policy. Well, the time has come to break that rule. Use your phone every second of your shift. Even when you aren’t using it, keep it in your hand to let everyone know you were using it. When helping customers, be sure to live tweet the experience. Most importantly, take personal calls whenever your boss attempts to yell at you for phone usage.

2. Arrive late and leave early

4. Curse Often

If you really want to lose your job, then punctuality should be the last thing on your mind. Never arrive at work until at least 15 minutes after your shift starts. When your boss asks you why you were late, respond with something sassy like “My life doesn’t revolve around your schedule,” “I had better things to do,” or “I was crying over your face.” Oh, and never forget to leave as early as possible. In fact, when you leave for a break or for lunch, just don’t come back.

Talking too much won’t be a big enough offense to get you fired, so make sure it’s as inappropriate as possible. Make sexual innuendos when talking with customers. Scream expletives whenever you are asked to do anything by your boss, especially when children are around.

5. FIGht Being nice is a no go when trying to lose your job. Fight with your coworkers as much as possible. Be the person who argues with everyone at all times. For an extra bonus, fight with customers too. Losing their business forever ensures you will lose your job.

From fIred to hired story and design by tom huerter

ongratulations! Your job has been terminated. Now it’s time to go out to dinner with your friends. Oh wait, you don’t have any money because you’ve been fired. How about a movie? Whoops, can’t do that either. Go to a football game? The pool? Shopping? Too bad. You’re unable to do any of those things because you lost your job. Looks like it’s time to start looking for employment. You’ve mastered losing a job, now it’s time to master getting a job.

1. Dress appropriately

4. prepare for the interview

It’s crucial you dress appropriately to make a good first impression. Your interview is a good time to leave the thigh-highs, fishnets, and mini skirt at home. Then again, that could show you’re an individual…. No, no, just kidding. That’s a bad idea. Go to the Gap and get some business casual pencil skirts or slacks.

If you’re anything like me, the question “tell me something interesting about yourself ” makes you cringe. The best way to deal with this is to think of an answer and always have it in the back of your mind. Look up the most common interview questions and answer them beforehand.

5. DO YOUR RESEARCH

2. Talk normally

Before walking into an interview, it’s important to find out everything you can about your possible employer and the company. Figure out what the work environment is like by asking current employees and researching on the internet. Then, when the interview comes around, you will know what type of person they are looking for to get the job done. If all else fails, just break out into a choreographed dance and then they will have to hire you!

Talk like you know what you’re talking about. Whatever you do, don’t bring up your boyfriend Jeremy and how he is so rude. Playing dumb isn’t cool in the work force.

3. REMAIN CALM

Every employer is looking for someone motivated to work hard. However, acting too excited can be, well, annoying. Stay cool, calm, and collected. If you do get the job, don’t scream when they tell you you’re hired because they may quickly rescind their offer. Just remember: excited is good, annoying is not.

6. BE YOURSELF The thing that will really make you shine is your personality. They’ll see right through you if you try to be something you’re not. Show them the amazing person you are, and nothing will stop you.

music: clark & co

lyrics

pouring down like rain westside singer/songwriter expresses herself through music STORY BY NIKKI SANER, DESIGN BY ALLIE LAING, PHOTO BY ESTELLA FOX

ll senior Sophie Clark needed to get into the swing of writing music was one song. The lyrics poured out of her late one night. The song, called “When It’s Raining,” was the first song that showed who she was. As soon as she added the instrumentals, it all fell together. Writing this song gave her a feeling she’d never had before. It was the song that made her a better writer and musician, the song she’d been looking for. While producing it for her first rock band, Strange Antics, Clark was constantly smiling. She gets the same feeling every time she writes music for her and her brothers’ band, Clark and Company. Things just seem to fall into place when she’s writing now. Clark realized that all she needed was a piano, drums, and bass to create her own unique sound. That sound hasn’t always been so easy to find. The long search began when the Clark triplets were 8 years old and took classical piano lessons. “Me and my brothers hated piano lessons so much,” Clark said. “I just couldn’t click with the classical piano, so I decided to take lessons on how to play the keyboard.” The keyboard helped Clark find her love of music and eventually lead her to

form a band called Clark and Company with her brothers, Cooper and Simon. Between Sophie’s keyboard and vocal skills, Cooper’s killer bass, and Simon’s expertise on the drums, they have come together to create the music they had been looking for. Clark and Company is inspired by Counting Crows. Counting Crows gives the band a rock influence, supplementing the jazz influence they get from other musicians. This helps them create music of all kinds, from ballads to blues. This variety is present in their second album, coming out in Oct. They started working on it immediately after their first album, “3 of Swords,” was released last Jan. “It’s a constant learning process trying to get what’s in my head to sound the same when it’s performed,” Clark said. Though she’s still learning, Clark has come a long way since she wrote “When It’s Raining.” One thing, however, remains the same. This time around, the song is called “Larger World.” Once again, the song was written in a hurry, and all of the components flowed together naturally. And once again, Clark’s personality shined through the lyrics.

interactive: utopia

In a perfect world... wishing for your own utopia

STORY AND DESIGN BY ALLIE LAING, PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCCORMACK, PORTRAITS BY ABEGALE HEADLEE

n a perfect world, I would be two inches taller, 10 pounds lighter, and have skin that was always clear. Maybe my parents would still be married and I wouldn’t have to spend holidays in two different homes. I would have a million dollars in my bank account and be able to spend unlimited amounts of money online shopping during a boring class lecture. I wouldn’t have to worry about friends coming and going, and everything on the Taco Bell menu would be under $1. Let’s face it. A perfect world doesn’t exist. ...But what if it did? What would you want? Maybe it’s racial equality, or knowing you can come to school every day without the chance of being bullied. Maybe it’s a chance to obtain pure happiness or be married to a celebrity who made the Top 100 Sexiest Men Alive in People Magazine. We all dream about who we want to be and the world we wish to live in. A perfect world may not be obtainable, but why stop imagining? If you introduce yourself to new thoughts and ideals and live as if perfection is possible, it just might be.

SO, WHAT’S YOUR UTOPIA?

interactive: utopia

In a perfect world... everyone is equal. -junior janeecia survillion

In a perfect world...

iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m married to zac efron. -freshman lily parizek

In a perfect world... people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t judge each other for the way they look. -freshman zoe bohelski

In a perfect world... people set their differences aside and treat each other with respect. -senior tj renfrow

In a perfect world... everyone gets along and lives peacefully.

-freshman tj sheibal

In a perfect world... bullies arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t around.

-junior elizabeth cheek

for full interviews

check out westsidewired.org

diy: bucket list

bUcket List

THings you might actually do before you die

story, photos, and design by bridget mizener and lauren chesire

You could be struck by lightning or hit by a car. You could die tomorrow, but realistically, you probably won’t. Though it might not be that soon, we will all “kick the bucket.” It’s a fact of life. But there are many amazing things to be done before then: a swim with the dolphins, going skydiving, or a visit to Paris. As high school kids with limited funds, however, crossing things like these off a bucket list is no simple task. So, here’s a bucket list with some items you might actually accomplish.

Complete a marathon Exercise is hard. Instead, catch up on Breaking Bad and Orange is the New Black. Then you can tell your friends you did a (Netflix) marathon.

Have a bonfIre on the beach It’s a long way to the nearest beach. Just find some sand; it’s close enough.

Go on a road trip with friends It’s not about miles traveled, but about the memories made… and who wants to drive any farther than they have to? Gas is expensive.

Visit a farm Barn animals are dirty, and they smell. Just find something furry or four-legged and call it good.

sleep Beneath the stars It gets cold outside at night. And the ground is so uncomfortable. And the bathroom is so far away. Actually, just forget it.

cook something from scratch The toaster and the microwave both count as cooking, right?

AChieve success as a writer Anybody can get published on e-readers these days. A real test of literary prowess is how many favorites you can get on Twitter.

feature: engineer in training

Inspector Gadget One sophomore explores his passion for math and science story and design by abby hack, photos by estella fox

t’s Saturday, and sophomore Søren Johnson’s first outing of the day is a garage sale down the street. A broken but fixable television has been spotted. Luckily, Johnson knows exactly how to fix it — all he needs for the job is an additional electrical part. The owners of the television know it’s broken and decide to give Johnson the television for free. After his first major score of the day, it’s on to the next garage sale for Johnson. Here he finds the exact part he needs and heads back to his own garage where he calls his friend David to help him fix the television. It’s not the first time he’s spent his weekend hunting for spare parts at garage sales, and it certainly won’t be the last. As a passionate student, robotics team member, and budding engineer, Johnson is constantly

looking for inexpensive parts to get his engineering fix. This need started at an early age, when Johnson discovered legos. “Legos always fit together perfectly and they’re perfectly stacked,” Johnson said. This preciseness appealed to Johnson. By working with legos, he was able to see how different parts fit together. As the years went on, he switched from legos to real machines. Johnson has built numerous robots, engines, remote controlled objects, and has fixed dozens of common household appliances. One project Johnson worked especially hard on was a handmade steam engine complete with a boiler. In order to complete this project, Johnson first had to figure out what function

this robot has a photoresistor. when light is shown on a side, the motor will stop on that side, and the robot will turn. students are taught how to build this in intro to robotics class.

this robot is designed to move, grab, and release objects. it is controlled by a remote.

the piston — a key component in most engines, don’t worry, I had to look it up too — would serve. Instead of consulting the internet or a knowledgeable individual on the subject, Johnson simply experimented using his own creativity. “I got an air pump from a bicycle and hooked it up to the attachment on the piston,” Johnson said. “I knew if I could create pressure I could get it to go.” And that’s exactly what Johnson did. He created a boiler which would generate steam and power the piston. Unfortunately, the boiler was extremely hot. Instead of giving up, Johnson solved the problem by cutting small slabs of wood to put around the outside of the boiler.

Troubleshooting and just “figuring things out” is one thing that makes Johnson so successful. “I’m a very logical thinker,” Johnson said. “I can figure out what each little part is and figure out the system.” Johnson’s motivation has carried him through all of his projects. When you love something as much as Johnson loves order and logic, anything is possible. “[We] come up with some crazy ideas and we think it’s impossible, but then we think about it a little more and we realize it’s not,” Johnson said. “It makes sense. It’s always going to have a correct answer to it, and I like to have an answer to things.”

fashion: fall

find your style students show off their autumn looks story and photos by audrey mccann and madeline look, design by casey arritt

roll out of bed, unlock my iPhone, and check the weather. A perfect 62 degrees, overcast, and a breeze. As I sift through my closet, nothing strikes a chord. I’m ready to pack away my short shorts and tank tops, but I’m still not sure how to transition from the warm days and late nights to cool weather and study groups. I settle on a chunky scarf, my grandpa’s old sweater, and leather tie up boots, a classic fall ensemble. I’m cozy and comfy, the perfect qualities in an autumnal look, but it’s still unoriginal. It’s so hard to decide what to wear, especially during the seasonal changes. Everyone is worried about whether or not people will judge them for what they’re wearing or how they look. The daily struggle is to find the most stylish look while still being comfy. It can be hard to take a risk with your fashion, but if you do it the right way, you’ll look great and feel great. Here at Craze, we wanted to show you a few ways to develop some of your own personal styles. We took looks that are popular with teens and in pop culture to show the style struggling students at Westside how to make their own fall looks. students featured: sophomore alice nguyen, senior reece watanabe, junior lizzie harwood, sophomore mo druliner, senior blair goldstein, junior roger slatten, senior aaron duin, and junior lauren zimmerman

fashion: fall

PREPPY must

irls, toss on a vest with a plaid shirt underneath (sleeves rolled up of course) and yank on some leather boots. This look is never complete without some big pearl earrings and perfect curls. Boys, throw on a “manlier” version of your preppy female counterpart’s button-down and a pair of corduroys. If you’re worried about the brisk fall weather, wear a cable knit sweater over your shirt. We suggest carrying over a summer favorite and wearing your Sperry TopSiders year round.

Lizzie’s Necklace Moon and Lola

Reece’s SweaterBrooks Brothers

Lizzie’s Shirt - J Crew

Reece’s Shoes Cole Haan

SOFT GRUNGE T

his look is all about the angst. Use autumn’s dark color palette to your advantage and cocoon yourself in burgundys, olives, and blacks. Wear every pair of chunky boots and Doc Martens you can find scrounging in vintage clothing stores. Girls, pull out your darkest lipstick. Don’t bother with a hair straightener or a curling iron because wild hair is in. If you’re really dedicated to this look, consider dyeing your hair a pastel pink or a light gray. You can also go for a an ombré effect like our model, Alice Nguyen. Our inspiration for this look is reality TV sensation Kylie Jenner. For boys, a classic leather jacket with a black V-neck and some dark skinny jeans is all you need to complete this look. Cool dudes like Johnny Depp and our model Roger Slatten will help to gather more style inspiration. Alice’s Dress - Urban Outfitters

Alice’s Jacket - Flying Worm

Roger’s Shirt - Sonoma

Roger’s Jacket - Charlie and a Half

fashion: fall

Indie kids

his look is all about finding unique pieces of clothing and combining them into something that expresses your personality and fashion sense. Mix thrift shop finds with newer pieces to create a look that is different from everyone else. Rolling up your colored jeans is a bold fashion statement that tells your peers you’re not afraid to show off those defined ankles. If you don’t have perfect vision we suggest big, thick rimmed glasses to finish the look off.

Blair’s Shirt - Goodwill

Mo’s Jacket - H&M

Blair’s Boots - Forever 21

Mo’s Jeans - Levi’s

Sporty Chic

ace up those sneakers and dig up your windbreaker to brave the brisk weather. You’ll need it when you’re out running with your dog. When the cool air moves in, it’s hard for people who are used to running shorts to transition to long pants. Boys look fantastic in some jeans, khakis, or soccer sweats with a quarter-zip, and it’s a great way to feel warm and comfy but still look good with all your other well dressed bros. For a more feminine twist, grab your favorite pair of leggings and a sporty zip up. Some go for a casual sneaker, while others sport true running shoes

Lauren’s Leggings - Ellie Athletics

Aaron’s shoes - Pacsun

Lauren’s Shoes - Mazzuno

Aaron’s hat - Dick’s

q&a: ask a teacher

Ask a teacher: PEITZMEIER

advice from math instructor and coach

story by elise tucker, design by lilli marvin

eth Peitzmeier is the kind of teacher who tells stories in class about her life on her family farm and laughs when she shows her students her laptop wallpaper. She teaches Algebra, Geometry, and Math Topics in addition to coaching basketball, volleyball, and track. In school, she didn’t like math, but she grew to love the subject. She’s one of the most popular teachers because students come up to her and just want to sit down and talk. With her goofy personality and great story telling, Mrs. Peitzmeier is the perfect candidate for giving advice and answering random questions in “Ask a Teacher.”

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

What is the best position to play in volleyball?

-sophomore katie McAlister Peitzmeier: “My favorite thing about teaching is getting to know students and building a relationship with them. Students contact me when they are in college. I have one student [who contacted me] who I taught a while back. She is now married and has a baby.”

-senior Alex Burdyny Peitzmeier: “Setter because you get to touch the ball every time. I was a setter, and you need a certain personality to take a lot of blame.”

What do you do to get a boyfriend?

How hard is your job? -freshman steven amato-hanner

-junior Alyssa Naab

Peitzmeier: “When students do the work, my job is easy, but I don’t really think my job is all that hard.”

Peitzmeier: “I would say be yourself. Some people are just so fake, and if you are fake, the relationship won’t work. If the boy doesn’t like you for who you are, then it wasn’t meant to be.”

How do you pass a challenging math class?

Do you have any future goals you would like to accomplish?

-junior jewelia sims

-junior Monica Jansky

Peitzmeier: “I would say you need to work with your teacher, make sure you do all of your homework, and do extra practice.”

Peitzmeier: “I would like to teach higherlevel classes like Advanced Algebra Honors. It would be cool to teach one of those in the future.”

calendar: sept.-oct.

SEPT. - OCT. REINTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR CITY WITH THESE EXCITING EVENTS. photo by kirsten mccormack, story and design by lia hagen

MUSIC

FOOD

Sept. 24: The War on Drugs with Califone @ The Waiting Room // 9 p.m.

Sept. 27: Omaha Farmers Market @ The Old Market // 8 a.m.

Sept. 25: Ty Segall with La Luz @ The Waiting Room // 9 p.m. Sept. 25: End of Summer Concert Series: The Sugar Thieves @ Turner Park // 7 p.m. Oct. 1: Saintseneca @ The Slowdown // 9 p.m. Oct. 18: The Magnolias with Bullet Proof Hearts @ Brothers Lounge // 9 p.m.

Oct. 4: Harvest Fest @ Village Pointe // 8 a.m. Oct. 11: Best of Omaha Festival @ Ralston Arena // 3 p.m. Oct. 12: The Great Omaha Chocolate Festival @ La Vista Community Center // 12 p.m.

OTHER EVENTS

ART

Sept. 27: Slutwalk Omaha @ Downtown Omaha // 11 a.m.

Sept. 27-28: ARTsarben Art Fair @ Aksarben Village // 10 a.m.

Sept. 28: Zoo Run @ The Henry Doorly Zoo // 8 a.m.

Oct. 4: Rockbrook Village Apple Day Craft Show @ Rockbrook Village Shopping Center // 10 a.m.

Oct. 4: Gotham Ball @ Slowdown // 9 p.m.

Oct. 11: Opening of “In Living Color: Andy Warhol and Contemporary Printmaking’ @ Joslyn Art Museum // 10 a.m.

Oct. 4: Pigskin in the Park: Nebraska vs. Michigan State @ Turner Park // 9:30 p.m. Oct. 4-5: The First Annual Scream in the Dark Film Festival @ Scottish Rite Masonic Theater // 10 a.m. Oct. 5: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure @ Century Link Center // 7 a.m. Oct. 10-12: Junkstock @ 315 S. 192 St. // 10 a.m