the prelude issue issue one
volume twenty-four
september 2016
table of contents contributors
03 - 04
saying goodbye
dundee theater
05 - 06
changing seasons 29 - 32
semester abroad
07 - 08
the pizza shoppe
33 - 34
happy hours
09 - 12
name that smell
35 - 38
freshman year
13 - 14
402 arts collective 39 - 42
teacher passions
15 - 18
mod lines vintage
goodwill goodies
19 - 22
religious tolerance 47 - 48
omaha girls rock
23 - 24
summer concerts
01
25 - 28
43 - 46
49 - 54
Letter from the Editor
I
, for one, hate beginnings. After a while the excitement of starting over wears thin. As a senior I’ve gone through this routine for what seems like 500 times and I gotta say, it’s getting old. This summer whenever anyone asked if I was excited for senior year I’d just shrug my shoulders. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not dread that I felt, rather pure apathy towards another year of high school. I cared so little I didn’t even bother to get new school supplies. But instead of living in my pessimistic bubble I’m hoping the reframe from state of mind. I guess beginnings don’t all have to be bad. They’re a way to reinvent yourself, find new ways to learn, new places to try. Here at Craze we hope you don’t feel blasé about the new school year but instead are excited about the changes and chances to start fresh. We hope you’re along with us all year long, so let’s get started.
- Grace Wolfe
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contributors to the issue
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editor in chief grace wolfe
ivan reyes
anastasiya petrosyan
managing editor kati stanzel
kaelyn mettler
biruk tewodros
design editor lilli marvin
isabella tyler
ella paulsen
samantha chesire
emma kopplin
anne stepanek
nick protzman
anna greene
megan murray
william larson
kendall brekke
staff
photo editor kyndall goodwin copy editors erin kruger
elisabeth facer
lydia kasem
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to be continued a look inside the future of a beloved omaha theater
story by megan murray, design and photos by isabella tyler
T
he theater that captured Dundee’s quaint culture for more than 88 years was sealed up in 2013 for renovations that never took place. Local hearts sank with the bearing of this news as the community had lost a valuable landmark. Generations of Omaha families that have become familiar with the screen, mourned the remains of the theater. The city of Omaha held on to hope that one day, the doors would reopen, and the velvet seats would be filled once again. Finally, the peoples’ wishes were granted. The historical theater that brought soul to the neighborhood is being revived. Film Streams Ruth Sokolof Theater has brought a wide variety of films to Omaha over the years since Dundee Theater’s absence. The Ruth Sokolof Theater has been bringing culture, support for small filmmakers, and arts education to Omaha recently. With the presence of two theaters specialized in independent films, the benefits are endless. Both theaters will be used to host an assortment of programs organized through Film Streams. “Film Streams’ programming, including our First-Run Films, Repertory Selections, Education initiatives, community collaborations, and special programs, such as visiting filmmakers, will take place
across both spaces,” Deputy Director of Film Streams, Casey Logan said. Having two theaters will also allow for a wider selection of movies to be showing, interchanging them more frequently, and constantly adding variety. “The two venues, and the ability to program films on more than the two screens we currently have to work with, will really help us bring to town more films and filmrelated opportunities, such as filmmaker visits,” Logan said. Although renovations are going to be made to the Dundee Theater, the historical authenticity is not at stake. Film Streams is making it a priority to preserve the crucial historical aspects of the last art movie house in Omaha. “The community is really helping to keep an amazing cultural landmark alive in our city,” Logan said. It’s in everyone’s interest to keep this buildings history alive. Film Streams wants to use this building’s importance to bring the art of film to the community. They are bringing more than just entertainment to their audience-they are bringing inspiration. “Our plan for the venue is to create a true community space around film as an art form,” said Logan.
our plan [. . .] is to create a true community space around film as an art form
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feature
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dundee theater
feature
emma galusha
emma galusha a semester in costa rica
story by biruk tewodros, design by ella paulson, photos by kyndall goodwin, lydia kasem, and emma galusha
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C
hange is good. I know, I know, this phrase has been recycled for decades, from movies to your parents. But the fact still remains that change forces you to grow as a person. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the hardest things to do. Routine on all scales is comforting, but breaking routine and expanding your horizons is when the best things happen. Changing cultures is definitely not an easy transition, but the people of Monteverde, Costa Rica made it easy for freshman Emma Galusha. From January to June of 2016, Galusha went to school in Costa Rica—and the experience changed her life. While she was there, Galusha attended the Monteverde Friends School—a K-12 Quaker school for local and international students, where her aunt is the co-principal. The transition went surprisingly quick for Galusha, who felt accepted by her new school and community. “Towards the beginning of March, I made some more friends in different grades, and since that moment, I wasn’t really homesick at all,” Galusha said. “I missed my friends and family, of course, but it wasn’t something that I was constantly thinking about that made me miserable.” During school, Galusha mainly focused on improving her Spanish speaking. Three of the eight classes she took were taught entirely in Spanish; as a result Galusha was immersed into the language through living in a Spanish speaking country. Learning Spanish was one of her goals for the trip, and she hopes to be completely fluent by next year. “The amount of Spanish I heard within and outside of school really helped me improve in that
language, although it was a little difficult to get used to at first,” Galusha said. In her free time, she did outdoor activities like hiking and participated in the community events. In April, the community gathered for Las Fiestas, which were like city-wide parties. Some of Galusha’s best memories were made at those Las Fiestas. “Las Fiestas were definitely the most fun that I’ve probably ever had. There were amusement park rides, the food was divine, and there was dancing,” Galusha said. “Most people went to Las Fiestas, and the music wasn’t the best, but it was a lot of fun to dance with the friends I’ve made.” One of Galusha’s favorite things about Costa Rica was the tight bond that the community shared. She immediately felt at home in her new surroundings. “I really enjoyed the strong sense of community there. It was something you don’t really get in Omaha,” Galusha said. “Everyone was so close and it didn’t matter if you were from Costa Rica or North America. Everyone was so welcoming.” If there was one lesson Galusha took away from the trip, it was to become closer with the people around her in Omaha. The sense of collective unity from Costa Rica still resonates with Galusha today. The experience has left her wanting to go back and she wishes her peers would adopt the same mindset. “We should learn to be closer with each other,” Galusha said. “Everyone knows everyone there. It doesn’t matter what age you are—you’re friends with everyone, and I thought that was a really wonderful thing.”
it doesn’t matter what age you are– you’re friends with everyone
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food
happy hour crawl
happy hour crawl check out omahas hot food
story by erin kruger, photos by anna greene and kyndall goodwin, design by lilli marvin
I
have noticed throughout my time as a high school student that I spend a lot of my paycheck on food. My friends and I love eating out—whether we go to cool restaurants, pick up fast food, or get a caffeine fix at the local Starbucks. However, this habit of mine can get really pricey at times. I make minimum wage as a barista, and I can only assume most other teenagers are in the same situation. Even though I
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should be saving for college next year, I love exploring Omaha’s dining options and cuisine. Omaha is a hub for delicious but sometimes expensive restaurants. Luckily, a lot of eateries in town have great happy hour deals that allow you to have a nice dinner without burning a hole in your pocket. Craze is here to show you some of the best options Omaha has to offer.
blue sushi
Blue Sushi and Sake Bombers Lounge is known for being Omaha’s epicenter of sushi. All types of people flock to the restaurant for their tasty Japanese cuisine. Sushi can become an expensive meal, even at gas stations and grocery store. But Blue is different. The quality of sushi and other Japanese foods at Blue is the best in Omaha, and the restaurant offers great deals several times a week. For only $5.50 for a roll, you can get options like the Crunchy Blue, the Crunchy L.A., the South Pacific, or everyone’s favorite: the California roll. The buoyant atmosphere, and intricate yet sometimes humorous decorations at Blue tie everything in for a fun dining experience. “Blue has an upbeat vibe. The Blue part downstairs
has a different feel than the Sake Bombers Lounge upstairs,” Blue Sushi assistant manager Ruben Valdez said. “The lighting and design gives off a different feel in the different parts of the restaurant.” Besides Blue’s impressive maki rolls, there are other great options on their happy hour menu. The Blue Balls—which the restaurant gets a lot of recognition from—are only $4.50. Blue also offers scrumptious starters like edamame, calamari, and mango crab Rangoon, all under $5.50. Don’t like sushi? There are other great deals on the happy hour menu, like the chicken and vegetarian lettuce wraps, and chicken satay. No stomach will leave empty from Blue Sushi and Sake Bombers Lounge.
happy hour: mon-sat 3-6 p.m. fri-sat 9-11 p.m.
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food
happy hour crawl
donut professor It’s five o’clock somewhere! But while most of you are out partying, I just want a donut. The Donut Professor is an extremely popular breakfast spot here in Omaha, offering great prices and a fast, friendly staff. With a wide gallery of donuts and a warm cup of coffee, who could want more? The art of donut-making is done by the “Professors” in their “Laboratories” around the Omaha Metro, with locations in Papillion and Elkhorn. A family run business, the Donut Professor provides great breakfast and stellar service.
Some of their great flavors include the chocolate buttermilk, the maple iced donut, and the classic chocolate iced with sprinkles. The Donut Professor also has more unique breakfast options like the Bavarian Crème Éclair, the Glazed Twist, and cinnamon rolls. All of these great options and none of them will cause you to spend all of your last paycheck. Also, the coffee there is less expensive than your daily trip to Starbucks or Scooter’s, which goes great with the delicious pastries. My suggestion is to start the party at the Donut Professor.
happy hour: daily 6 a.m-12 p.m
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crave We’ve all been in the car on the way to dinner, arguing about what restaurant to go to. Someone wants Mexican, someone else is craving burger, and someone is just dying for some sushi. Well, at CRAVE Restaurant located in Midtown Omaha, you can get all of these things. CRAVE offers something for everyone, whether they have a favorite food or a dietary need. The restaurant also provides a relaxing atmosphere with live music and entertainment every Friday night. “What makes us unique is that we’re a made-fromscratch kitchen. All of our produce is fresh and all of our products are made fresh daily,” CRAVE Restaurant manager Bria Beninato said. “If people have allergies or any special needs when they eat, we can eliminate or add in anything you want.” CRAVE promises freshness for their extremely
diverse menu. This melting pot of a menu includes everything from sushi to burgers and fries. They also have an awesome happy hour menu that includes the restaurant’s famous lemon garlic wings for only $7, a large $5 serving of chips and guacamole, and a wide variety of sushi rolls ranging from $4 to $7. The happy hour menu also includes delicious items like truffle parmesan fries, mini flatbread pizzas, and edamame. “You can come here if you’re a steak-and-potatoes kind of person. If you’re a burger person, we have really good burgers. If you want to try something totally unique, we have poke bowls, and some awesome sushi rolls that I haven’t really seen anywhere else in Omaha,” Beninato said. “We have the classics, but we also have things on our menu that add a surprising element or twist.”
happy hour: mon-sat 3-6 p.m. fri-sat 9-11 p.m.
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a year in black and how i learned to treat myself white story and illustration by kaeyln mettler, design by william larson
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reshman year: braces, ugly clothes, and constant confusion. Everyone had different experiences, but we can all agree it was the worst. For most kids, it’s a year of experimentation and finding yourself. For me, it was full of terrible friends and even worse grades. With the pressure of transitioning into high school came the need of approval from others, so I looked high and low for someone to give me that validation. Then one day, I started sitting with my middle school friends and we all clicked together like old times. It was like I had the friends I was searching for, and with that came my first best friend. I was finally getting invited to a lot more social events, and I found myself away from home a lot more. Here they are, I thought, I finally
found my perfect high school friends.
At least, that’s what I thought. Unfortunately, what I saw on social media wasn’t what their life was actually like. I slowly realized that they only pretended to be
best friends. The routine we had built dependent on the same place and time every weekend had started to get boring. What started as friends eating lunch together turned into gossip sessions about each other when they turned their back. Eventually, the time came where our friendships ended. Although I pretended not to notice, I couldn’t help but feel the
the first step to finding your friends is becoming fully comfortable with yourself judgment of others when I walked through the halls. It was like I’d come out of a delirious state. Suddenly, I realized that I had isolated myself with these people for so long that I lost all of my real friends. Not only that, but I had paid so much attention to my social life that I was failing two classes. After investing all of my
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time into school and my grades, I ended up passing some of my classes, but not all of them. Those are the consequences I had to face for putting friends before school. Although it has taken me some time to find my new friends—and I’m not so sure I have a best friend—I’ve realized friends don’t just show up on your doorstep. You have to prove your own trust and respect to get the same in return. I joined journalism which truly has made me a better person. I’ve opened up a lot more, and I am starting to take on more things to finally be proud of. The importance of finding your “thing” in high school is real. Whatever you’re interested in you should stick with it. Craze is the best thing I’ve gotten out of high school so far. Once I walked into the Journalism room and instantly felt the positive energy radiating from the environment, I learned that I don’t need the constant approval from others. The first step to finding your friends is first being fully comfortable with yourself, so as long as I’m happy, it’s all good.
opinion
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freshman year
interactive
passionate teachers
Teacher Passions
language teachers talk about their passions story by anne stepanek, design by elisabeth facer, photos by ivan reyes
E
verybody has something that they’re passionate about—the hobbies and things we love help us learn more about other people and ourselves. Without our passions we would all be the same person and there would be no individualism in our society. We start to
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develop our passions as teenagers and keep them for a long time. In the end, our passions define who we are. Whether you’re into music or sports our loves are still important to us. This is true for a number of Westside’s English and Language teachers.
Mrs. Spisak honors literature To most countries, America is considered isolated. Citizens from around the world think Americans don’t know anything about other countries’ cultures. Despite these assumptions, traveling is something that allows us to learn more about other people and how their traditions differ from ours. Honors Literature teacher Molly Spisak understands this, and that’s why traveling is one of her greatest passions. During the summer, she usually spends a good amount of her time at the pool with her kids, but when she’s not busy in Omaha she likes to travel and see other states. “Life is really busy and stressful everyday,” Spisak said. “To appreciate a new perspective or to understand a little bit more or get out of your comfort zone. I think it’s a good experience for humans to do.” Traveling is something that has been important to Spisak for a long time. She loves
being able to experience new things when she explores a new place Her favorite cities in the United States are the ones that are rich with culture like New York where she used to live. “I’d say to be able to have a lot of different cultures sort of embodies what the United States is— a lot of different cultures and a lot of different perspectives in one location,” Spisak said. Spisak has been able to gain new experiences by visiting other cities and taking in the diversity around her. In traveling to these new cities, she has been able to get away from the isolation of America and the idea that they only care about themselves. Her passion for traveling has provided her with new situations and will help her experience new cultures in the future.
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interactive
passionate teachers
Miss Hollenbeck
german
A new face you might be familiar with because of her amazing sense of style is Ms. Hollenbeck. As the new German teacher, many people probably have noticed her in the hall because of her cute clothes. But what her her incredible sense of fashion doesn’t show is her love of biking. Most people in Omaha get around town by driving a car, taking the bus or walking, while Hollenbeck gets almost everywhere by bike. It started when she was a student teacher in Saint Paul, Minnesota. During her time in Minnesota, Hollenbeck didn’t have a way of transportation. She looked into getting a bike to get to and from school and since then, it’s something she’s stuck with. “Wherever I go in or out of town, I try to ride my bike regardless of the season,” she said.
Other than her normal commute to and from work, she has gotten into some other type of bike races. One of the kinds of races she loves are alley-cat races. Alley-cat races are less structured than your average race and are usually done in larger cities. They allow people to enjoy the city they’re in while still competing. “You have to go to certain checkpoints, but you get to choose your route,” Hollenbeck said. “It’s kind of cool because it’s really just an unofficial race.” Hollenbeck has been biking in many different cities for a while, and her passion has stuck with her as she moves around. Even though the cities she lives in have changed, she still continues biking as a commuter and enjoys races like the alley-cat in bigger cities.
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Mr. Sayre honors american literature, ap literature If you haven’t taken AP Literature or Honors American Literature, you’ve probably missed out on the incredible opportunity of meeting Mr. Sayre. In the short amount of time I was able to talk to him, I felt that I had learned so much about him and the type of person he is. The passion Sayre has for everything he does—especially his music interests— is clear from the way he talks about them. Music is an important part of Sayre’s life. It has a large impact on his daily life, and it’s one of his biggest hobbies. Earlier in his life he had many people who influenced his love of music. “I was influenced heavily by my parents. They’re music teachers and there was always music in the house. It encouraged me to find music that I connected with,” Sayre said. “I had a friend who turned me on to a band called The Smiths, and that changed everything for me in terms of seeing music as art.”
At the end of the year, Sayre makes a playlist for students so they can enjoy the music he loves. He finds music that fits into what he’s teaching in class. At the beginning of class he plays particular songs so his students can relate the lyrics to what they’re learning. Along with music, he fell in love with literature through people who introduced him to different types of writing. “In literature, I had lots of mentors. As a kid, I had an uncle who was always handing books off. I love reading and it turned me on to poetry,” he said. Mr. Sayre is passionate about many things and you can tell by simply talking to him—it’s clear by the way he gives elaborate answers on topics like Shakespeare and poetry. His passion for these topics is obvious, and it’s incredible that Sayre is able to share his love of literature and music with his students.
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GOODWILL GOODIES
unique clothes that won’t break the bank story by nicholas protzman, design by elisabeth facer, photos by biruk tewodros
A
nyone can walk into their local Goodwill or any second hand shop with a few bucks and leave with a piece that no one else is wearing. Whether it’s a vintage designer or something someone’s grandma got rid of, thrifting is a great way to dress distinctly while going easy on your wallet. Discovering the good spots where people don’t shop often and having to go through racks and racks of clothes only to have it turn out to be a complete
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bust is all part of the game. Although it’s not as straightforward—or practical— as shopping online or at the mall, it can make for a fun day of hunting for treasure. Craze had sophomore Ramon Martinez go to thrift stores and try on clothes that we found. Martinez shows that a functional outfit can be made from a small budget and a decent amount of searching.
photo essay
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goodwill goodies
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rock your socks off local music camp empowering young musicians
story by elisabeth facer, design by lilli marvin, photos by kendall brekke and anna greene, omaha girls rock logo courtesy of omaha girls rock
A
s a kid I never wanted to be in any spotlight or have anyone look in my direction. I spent my childhood clinging to the close friends I had, never feeling strong enough to let go and become my own person. I never allowed myself to feel empowered, and to this day I still struggle to realize that I am just as capable of being empowered as anyone else. Empowerment doesn’t mean that I have to be the most outgoing, carefree, or assertive, it means I get to be the authentic me. Just like my younger self, some of the most creative people I know look at the world around them and run into the shadows because they don’t feel powerful enough to express themselves. Expression is scary, especially when there is so much pressure to do something so mold-breakingly amazing to “earn” a place in this world. In a perfect world, we would realize that we all are learning and growing together. Everyone should be allowed to represent themselves however they see fit. But what can we expect when we live in a world where respect and power are seen as something tangible? In the music industry we see women like Beyonce, Sia, and Rihanna, and even lesser known artists like Liz Phair, who have defined individual power. Realizing that everyone is born with an innate power to be who they are is exactly what empowers you, and that’s exactly what organization Omaha Girls Rock wants
young girls to realize. Stefanie Drootin-Senseney started Omaha Girls Rock in 2011. The organization’s week long summer camps and afterschool programs allow girls from ages 10-16 to learn an instrument and take workshops for leadership skills, gender and race diversity, and healthy relationships; all centered around female empowerment. “They wanted to start early and create an organization where girls are able to express themselves, feel good about that, and feel empowered while learning something new—because the element of learning something new and then expressing yourself through that. That is empowerment,” current executive director Melissa Wurth said. The girls that come to this program get the ultimate package of making amazing connections with others and with their inner power. I had the opportunity to interview band mates Ryleigh Welsh, Baylin Davis, Emma Rezac, and Addie Costello, who participated in Omaha Girls rock this past summer and are now performing outside of the camp. Their female powered band Lions, Tigers, and Babes began at Omaha Girls Rock this past summer. Their musical education was amplified—not just in the different music they discovered—but also in how it impacted them as artists. “Before, I hadn’t heard of very many female artists and then I came here and it was all accepting. There was all this new kind of music
[girls rock] shows me that women can do anything they want to do
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feature
that I had never heard of and it taught me to be who I want to be and helped shape me as a person,” Davis said. Each girl comes to the camp from a unique background, but one thing they all have in common is that they want to grow and learn more about their own empowerment. The leaders and counselors help each girl gain confidence through their own individual power. “I love how all of the women in our Omaha scene have taught us that you don’t have to have a perfect voice and you don’t have to play instruments perfectly, but if you have a message you can say it and you shouldn’t be afraid to say it,” Welsh said. The girls begin the week long camp by choosing one instrument they are interested in and would like to learn. They take lessons in that specific instrument, take character building workshop classes, and form a unique band with the other girls. At the end of the week each band shows what they’ve created at the end-ofweek showcase. Parents, loved ones, and other members of the Omaha community come to watch these talented girls strut their stuff, but most importantly to see how they express themselves in their own way. “It helped me realize that no matter what I choose to do, there will be people to help me along the way like the camp counselors and everybody in Omaha is there for me,” Costello said. Performing doesn’t just give the girls a major confidence boost, but it shows them they have the ability to create something they can be
omaha girls rock
proud of in a world so dominated by men. The amount of male artists in the music industry is double the number of female artists. According to an article in the Huffington Post in 2014, the music industry was 67.8% male artists and 32.2% female artists, and only 5% of music producers were female. With 95% of producers being male, only a small amount of the music we hear has been produced in a female powered environment. These girls at Omaha Girls Rock are learning that even if the industry is dominated by males, they’re just as capable— if not more—to be a part of such a creative industry. Some people get stuck on the idea that Omaha Girls Rock is just a music camp. Sure, it does have music, but more importantly, through this program these girls learn how to become more aware of the world around them. They learn how to connect and grow in the unique, fun, and positive environment surrounding Omaha Girls Rock. “The most important thing is that they are allowed to express themselves however they want,” Wurth said. Self empowerment relies on us believing we are ready to be an authentic version of ourselves. It takes time, practice, and determination—just like learning any instrument would, but it’s definitely worth it. Through their positive environment, creative atmosphere, and dedication to these amazing girls, Omaha Girls Rock really hits the downbeat when it comes to helping girls realize their right to just be themselves. “It shows me that women can do anything they want to do,” Rezac said.
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opinion
saying goodbye
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Gone but not forgotten
dealing with friends leaving through the stages of grief story, design, and photo by grace wolfe
I
f I had to choose, I’d take a night of Chinese water torture over packing to move. It’s an arduous task; not only does it require picking and choosing what things are important enough to take, but it also represents the huge change that’s about to occur. And no change is bigger than leaving for college. These last few weeks I’ve helped several friends pack for their dorm rooms. It’s wicked depressing to see my best friends’ most cherished possessions laying out on the dining room table, waiting to be stuffed into duffel bags. One of my friends refused to pack until hours before leaving, because she was still in disbelief. In the end, however, each one of my
friends hugged me goodbye with an excited smile, giddy for the future they were about to embark upon. And then there was me, left alone in my final year of high school. Over the course of the past few weeks I’ve felt more emotions than I have my entire life. Looking back, I realized my time processing resembled the five stages of grief. In my own dramatic fashion I’ve laid out exactly what was going through my mind as I dealt with my friends leaving for college. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine hopefully you can think back on this article and remember you’re not alone.
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opinion
saying goodbye
Denial August 22nd: D-Day. The date was circled with a big red marker in my mind. It seemed implausible that eventually my friend and I would have to separate. To cope with this, we spent every waking minute together. It didn’t matter if we were sleeping or hanging out with a group of people, we just had to be in the same vicinity. At one point, I’d spent so much time at her house my mom sent an Edible Arrangement to apologize. But in all
this time we had together, the 22nd of August was never brought up. There were no signs of packing, no plane tickets bought, no plans for the future. In our heads, the date didn’t exist. Everyday would be spent doing the same thing we’d been doing all summer. When I’d have a moment to myself, however, those thoughts would creep their way in. It felt like we were all about to die, simple as that. So, I just pushed it all into the back of my mind.
Anger Too bad my complete denial of the situation didn’t prevent my friends from leaving, and the day came when I was completely alone. Being the youngest person in my friend group didn’t seem like too big of a deal until I had to slowly say goodbye to them one by one. It’s almost like I was a senior last year and I somehow messed up so bad that I had to come back. Thinking about how the world had wronged me made my blood boil. I found
myself growing frustrated at the drop of a hat; everyone I interacted with bothered me in one way or another. My mom received a bulk of the anger, mainly because she’d birthed me a year too late. My house was filled with slamming doors and huffs beneath my breath. I imagine my mom had no idea why I’d suddenly decided to challenge every word she said. 17 years had gone without incident, and now all hell was breaking loose.
Bargaining After I’d successfully ostracized myself from everyone around me, I began to overthink everything. Things that once seemed small potatoes turned into wild speculations that kept me awake at night. I began to think that maybe it was a bad idea I had gotten extremely close to people a grade older than me. My cultivation of these friendships had left me disconnected from the friends I had in my grade. When I thought about all the social events I
would have to attend this year, I panicked. I decided I didn’t want to hang out with anyone because nobody could understand the situation I was going through. I even began to doubt my position on Craze. My entire future that once seemed so planned out was in shambles; I would twist every glimmer of hope into something pessimistic and it started driving my crazy. I would’ve done anything to bring my friends back and return to my old happy self.
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Depression Then came the long days spent alone in my room. A crippling wave of depression came over me, leaving me half of what I used to be. The pure thought of attending class made my body ache. When I was actually in school, I couldn’t help but feel the hallways were hollow, even if there was a new class of freshman to fill them. The journalism room — the room that had been my safe space for the past three years— also felt barren and awkward. I’d lost the zest for school I had last year. It was difficult to accomplish tasks for any of my classes, especially Craze. And to me, there’s
nothing worse than messing up in Craze. But how could I when everything reminded me of my friends? To remove myself from this pain, I subconsciously decided to pull away from everyone and fall deeper into the hole. I’d spend hours switching between social media apps, not actually connecting with anyone, just staring at the screen to pass the time. I wasn’t upset my friends were having fun without me, I just figured they would inevitably forget about me. It took weeks of crying between classes and forgetting to eat before I understood things would get easier.
Acceptance I started calling my friends more, and after weeks of six hour long FaceTime sessions, I slowly started to adjust. My decision to reach out to both graduated and senior friends made everything a lot easier to handle. My acceptance came through no big revelation, but rather a series of reflective moments I had. When I think about the people I love that surround me, my heart swells, no matter the geographical distance. Although the past month had been extremely difficult, I couldn’t be where I am today without it. I was removing myself from my friends because I figured
that would happen anyway. But that didn’t happen, and it never could. Good friendships don’t end at graduation. Everything might not be perfect right now (I still want to curl up into the fetal position constantly), but it gets better with time. I remember the moments I shared with my friends and look forward to the moments we’re going to share. Goodbyes may feel permanent, but they aren’t. Change is terrifying. It’s even more terrifying to go in alone, but I know that whatever comes my way I’ll have my friends to work through it with me. So bring on the next big step. I’m ready.
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the time between story and photos by kendall brekke, design by william larson
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relfecting the time between seasons
love nothing more than fall: it brings me back to memories of my birthdays and the pumpkin patch. Autumn is a popular season but, before we can enjoy the cold weather and the pumpkin spice coffee, we have to make it through the awkward month of September. September is the segway that
helps us ease our way out of summer and into autumn. It’s hard saying goodbye to sleeping in late and exchanging it for early school mornings, but don’t worry! There is always a light at the end of the tunnel—and that light is crunchy leaves and Halloween.
Model: Ember Forbes model: zoe debolt, junior
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photo essay
the time between
model: zoe thackray, junior
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model: graham guenette, senior
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photo essay
the time between
Model: Zoe Debolt
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review
pizza shop collective
hours: mon-thu 10-11 p.m. fri-sat 10-12 a.m.
6056 maple st (402)556-9090 33
A Slice of Nostalgia revisting the pizza shoppe collective
story by kati stanzel, design by grace wolfe, photos by ivan reyes
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he sweet aroma of dough filled the air as I took a sip of Mr. Pibb, watching as people rushed inside to get out of the rain. A storm was brewing outside, but I was safe sitting under the restaurant’s vintage, mustard yellow lights. Hipsters, families, and old people milled around, patiently waiting for their pizza or bobbing their heads to the band playing in the adjacent room. The Pizza Shoppe, located in the heart of Benson, was doing business as usual. The Pizza Shoppe serves a diverse group of customers. A small stage area—called the Pizza Shoppe Collective— draws music lovers to the restaurant for live performances by local groups. Even without live music the atmosphere is cool and captivating. With a jukebox playing over loud
speakers, the vintage tables and booths, and a wide variety of food, the Shoppe is a cool place to hang out. When I visited, the melding of old and new made my experience enjoyable. My family used to go to the Pizza Shoppe all the time when I was little, and seeing how the place had changed was truly amazing. Despite the Shoppe’s evolution, one thing has remained the same: the food. First, I ordered a small house salad with “The Pink Stuff ” as my dressing. “The Pink Stuff ” is the Shoppe’s famous, homemade dressing that’s literally pink. The creamy sauce is sweet with a garlicky bite and adds flavor to a plain old salad. It was delicious and—since I’m a saucelover—I even licked the rest of the sauce off my fork when I finished my salad. After I devoured my
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salad, it was time for me to choose my main meal. I decided to order my own personal, Kansas City-style pizza with Canadian bacon, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese. The flaky, delicate crust melted in my mouth while the sweet red sauce balanced out the savory Canadian bacon flavor— easily making the pizza one of the best I’ve ever had. I was pleased with my visit to the Pizza Shoppe. The unique atmosphere, mouth-watering food, and friendly staff are the reasons why customers, including myself, keep coming back. The Pizza Shoppe is a restaurant for anyone including college kids, older people, or hip teenagers. Whether you’re a hungry customer looking for some scrumptious food or you’re in dire need of hearing some live music, the Pizza Shoppe is the place to go.
interactive
draw that smell
Draw! that! smell! artists draw from scent
story by kati stanzel, design samantha chesire, illustrations by drawing and painting 2 students
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his smells like…home.” Ashlyn Smith closed her eyes with content. She was at peace as she moved her pencil across the paper, creating something out of nothing. The junior concentrated on her work and everything around her faded out, memories of home filling her mind. Something about that smell… To Smith, the aroma of French vanilla coffee beans smelled like home. She took another whiff of the brown bag in front of her—not knowing that actual coffee beans were inside—but that wasn’t the point. The point of the exercise was to reveal the buried memories that were linked to the distinct smell, then sketch those memories.
Smell is one of the most abstract senses—making it the hardest to visualize. An artist has to truly be creative to sketch straight from an abstract thought, like a memory. It is extremely difficult to sketch something without a reference photo, let alone drawing something solely based on the memory of a certain smell. Abstract and life drawing are two skills artists work on for years to completely master. Despite the difficulty, art instructor Liz Dittrick’s Drawing and Painting 2 kids were up for the challenge. The next few pages are filled with the sketches art students made after smelling coffee beans, perfume, peanut buttor, or a candle.
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ana carissimo, junior
margaret lawson, junior
nicky winter, junior
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Lilac
interactive
draw that smell
erin huie, junior
Perfume
Coffee
ashlyn smith, junior
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ashley guinan, senior
claire smith, junior
peanut butter
emmy miller, junior
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feature
402 arts collective
The 402 Arts Collective arts center for music
story by anastasiya petrosyan, design by anne stepanek, photos by samantha chesire
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rt has always been a vital part of the teenage experience. We take art classes, we perform in music groups, we consider certain fashion trends art. Ultimately, we praise art. Teachers talk about the purpose of art; where we see art in the modern world,
but they may sometimes fail to mention the art’s impact on our community and how it inspires individuals daily. According to 402 Arts Collective Administrative Assistant Sara Thomsen, art means something completely different.
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402 arts collective
“I think art is really just communication and financial aid for people who maybe can’t afford regular that means that anyone can do it— you can use it to priced tuition, and we have a ton of instruments communicate whatever is important to you,” Thomsen and supplies that have been donated,” Thomsen said. “It’s really important to be exposed to good music said. “People have just really come to us and kind of and great art at a young age. Everyone of all ages organically created this network of people who all love should be able to create art, see art and do art.” doing the same thing.” A couple different things happen at the Collective, Thomsen hopes the organization will expand even but the main thing they teach is one-on-one music more and for them to continue inspiring the young lessons. There are roughly 200 people coming there generation. She would love for the 402 to continue to every week taking guitar, piano, and voice lessons. grow in size and to keep impacting more students in The most popular age group being seven to ten years the Omaha community. She hopes that the students olds. The Collective also offers classes who go to the Collective are developing for middle and high school students. not just as musicians but also as a whole While the majority of students are people. we’re all young teens, 10% of the overall group “There’s many valuable life lessons about people are adults over the age of 20. There are that you learn from the experience of also some visual art classes in addition trying something new and creating art,” trying new to the recording studio, gallery, and the Thomsen said. things and venue. The organization has an open mic The organization has also found its night every night, and there are always way into the halls of Westside. Junior pursuing students wandering around. Some have Ben Brodkey used to be a part of the their never played in front of anyone before organization. He found out about the and it’s a welcoming environment for passions and Collective by going to a concert of a teen newcomers. from The 402 Rock Academy and finding what band “We’re all about people trying new another group called “The 402 Street things and pursuing their passions and Beats”, these were run by musician Nick they love finding what they love”, Thomsen said. Brophy. After the concert, Brodkey The organization started because and his mother talked to Brophy about executive director and musician Ben the Rock Academy and shortly after, Shafer, wanted to find a way to create a community Brodkey was placed in a band of primarily Westside where artists could give back and do something. He students. They called themselves House Arrest. wanted to create something meaningful. The 402 Arts Collective has become a whole Leaving an impact on the community certainly community in itself and has become immensely worked out for the organization. The Collective popular in the Benson area and around Omaha. If started collaborating with schools downtown as well more students become associated with the Collective as dance class programs at the alternative Omaha more people will become involved with art, and will Street School. Along with performing at the schools, learn the meaning of it through the experience of the Collective makes sure the classes are affordable for trying new things and creating something that they are anyone. passionate about. “We have a lot of generous donors. We have
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feature
authentically retro
vintage store brings back trends story by isabella tyler, design by megan murray, photos by kendall brekke and anna greene
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rends these days seem to come and go in the blink of an eye, but there’s always been one trend that will never go out of style: vintage. The catch is, vintage items are already out of style. With most furniture, stores are really trying to incorporate the mid 20th century modern vibe into their products. Some shops even sell real items from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Unfortunately, Omaha seems to be lacking stores where you can get good quality, vintage furniture. Despite the small quantity of vintage stores in town, Mod Lines is a small, locally run business that sells authentic retro furniture. The store may appear to be just a bunch of old clutter at first glance, but after some time of sorting through all of the bar sets and tube televisions, you’ll discover that there’s definitely something about it that makes it special. According to owner Scott Hill, the store celebrated its first birthday on September 10. Mod Lines was founded after the store that Hill, and co-owner Chris Pilatska originally collaborated with, stopped selling vintage items. They had so much
unsold furniture that they were persuaded to open a new store. By storing vintage items in the Omaha area, Mod Lines benefits the community. It introduces people to the idea that it’s good to be cool and unique, and even doing something as small as buying furniture for your home can be an amazing experience. Being able to buy new furniture that won’t fall apart at a good price is definitely an awesome deal. It’s nice to be able to support a local business knowing that it’s good, quality furniture and not ridiculously overpriced. “It’s also stuff that can be used again instead of being thrown away,” Hill said. Mod Lines has a lot of heart. The owners genuinely care about selling good quality furniture and tending to their customers to make sure that they’re getting the piece that’s right for them. The warm energy that surrounds you when you walk in the door is what makes Mod Lines so special. From the vintage furniture to the dedications of the owners, it’s safe to say that Mod Lines isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon.
[mod lines] introduces people to the idea that it’s good to be cool and unique
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mod lines
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feature
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mod lines
opinion
religious tolerance
The search for unity
understanding religious tolerance story and illustration by emma kopplin, desing by grace wolfe
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eligious tolerance is not an easy subject to talk about. The first religion is theorized to be Hinduism, which was founded in as early as 2300-1500 BC, and it’s still practiced today. These ancient meanings and historical roots show a depth of belief systems that make the subject of religion not something to be taken lightly. Religion at its core is so sacred to so many that it can be a touchy subject. Religion gives meaning to existence, brings peace, and unites people under a common belief system. And yet, there are constant wars bring fought over it.
Some of the largest mass killings in history were said to have been done in the name of religion. According to a study on the parallels of religion and war published in the Huffington post, approximately 1-3 million were killed in the crusades, 3 thousand killed by the inquisition and nearly 6 million killed in the Holocaust. The openness and comfort searched for in religion is sometimes taken advantage of. Especially the populations that society leaves vulnerable. In a story covered by CNN, on March 8, 2016 two pastors in Phoenix, Arizona were found guilty of laundering
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money and then were also alleged to run a “food stamp swindle” with prejudice against the lower income communities. Women and children are exploited as well, like in the breaking news story covered by The Washington Post that put a spot light on sexual abuse of minors and women in the Catholic Church. “The sexist bullshit inevitably slips in through all the human finger prints that leave their mark on texts like the bible and systems like the church.” Said Debra McKnight, founding pastor of Urban Abbey, a non-profit coffee shop and church in Omaha, Nebraska’s Old Market. However, as often as the bad in religion happens, the good in religion can usually be seen shining through. A story written by The Huffington Post called “Yes, Religion Can Still Be a Force for Good In The World” talks about how religion has helped former gang-involved youth be given a second chance, provided trainings and support for those with disabilities, inspired kids to take care of the environment, trained churches on how to address HIV in their communities and so much more. Religion can be a bright and amazing beacon in our dark world. But it can’t be this light with the extremism that sometimes over shadows it. In situations of religious intolerance there seems to be two outcomes. First, movements towards conversion, or the spreading of one’s religion to other populations. To some, there’s an unalterable belief that there’s only one way to look at the world and anyone who looks at it differently is wrong. Secondly, violence can be the result as the level of intolerance increases. When everyone is fighting and chaos ensues it’s hard to distinguish right from wrong. According to gettysburg.edu ,when the Spanish first came to north America they used violence such as brutal beatings or mass hanging as the means of spreading Christianity. Entire cultures have been lost to this “burn and rebuild” way of thinking. Spiritual violence is not the point of religion. “Violence is an ugly manipulation of the many spiritual practices of the world.” Said McKnight.
But Religion must not be defined by it’s body count, nor any extremist followers. Buddha once said “Be kind to all creatures; this is the true religion.” And there are many people and organizations working hard to create a more open environment in religion. One of these is the TriFaith initiative here in Omaha. In a story by NPR, they are described as building one home for three faiths. A mosque, a synagogue and a church will all share residence in this peaceful co-existence. “I value spirituality and religion in a community, because if I just pick and choose my own bouquet of spirituality then there are no roots and the whole thing [will] wilt [in] the way I leave flowers in a vase too long.” McKnight said. There is no one right way to live. Your life and other’s lives are lived completely different. According to reference. com there are over 4,200 different religions in this world, maybe more. Religion can be a way we learn to live with ourselves, carve out right from wrong, and give us a clear conscience and peace of mind in life. The universe is unfathomably enormous and we have little affect on what happens. In such an unpredictable world, religion can be our way of finding comfort. Humans as a species are incredibly new, like specks of dust in an endless chasm, looking hopefully for any light that can be found. We need to celebrate anyone who’s able to look at the world in a way that makes sense to them, whether that’s in a god, a soul, an animal, in science, or even nothing. It’s time to celebrate those brave souls who dare to look into the universe and smile with curiosity. “It can be brave to lean into vulnerability when the world around us chooses violence, control and dehumanization.” McKnight said. What if religion was not dividing, but unifying? For many, religion is a central part of their being and living. How is it that religion is so paralleled with violence and just as much with joy? It is possible to be unified in different beliefs, be implored to see different religions in this world as sacred and to find joy in the variety of the amazing, inquisitive people in this world in which we live.
it can be brave to lean into vulnerability when the world around us chooses violence
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music
summer concert review
rewind: summer 2016 recapping the best concerts of the summer story, design, and photos by lilli marvin
pictured: cage the elephant
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stir concert cove T
he rap gods. The indie legends. The rock n’ roll problem child. Summer 2016 was a time of diverse concerts, festivals, and gigs that catered to anyone wanting to experience live music. Bands such as Cage the Elephant and Panic! at the Disco headlined Stir Cove, while infamous rappers such as Vince Staples and Tyler the Creator frequented local music venues in Omaha. Whether it be for the blistering summer heat, the record breaking Maha attendance, or the mosh pits at Tyler the Creator, this summer was one to go down in Omaha music history.
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music
summer concert review
pictured: the joy formidable
maha music festival
pictured: vince staples
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C
ondoms littered the sky like balloons while rapper Vince Staples got the crowd groovin’ during his Summertime ‘06 set. Random fans kissed (the admitably fake) Warren Buffet. Hundreds of people tied yellow bandanas around their sweaty heads, a bond between the thousands of Maha Music Festival attendees this year. Maha 2016 was one for the books. With artists headlining such as Passion Pit, Grimes, and Vince Staples, the festival once again pleased music fans of all genres. Music taste aside, Maha also did well by festival standards to provide plenty of porta potties, and, to the great relief of the sweaty moshers, free water throughout the entire event. Returning again this year were local shops such as Scout and restaurants like Mangia Italiana, making Maha not only a music festival, but a melting pot of Omaha’s culture. Exceeding all previous
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music
summer concert review
arvest bank
pictured: the neighbourhood
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waiting room
pictured: saint motel
pictured: twenty one pilots
pinewood bowl
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Craze Manifesto 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 Feel like maybe 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