KEQ - The Fashion Issue - Winter 2020

THE FASHION ISSUE

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VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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DRESSING UP

FOR THE SHOWDOWN Pg. 14

BSM’S

THE DOS AND DONTS OF DRESSING AT BSM

CLOT HING ENTH USIAS TS Pg. 3

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THE HOTTEST TRENDS OF EACH SEASON Pg. 24

HOW CLOTHES

CAN ALTER YOUR MENTALITY

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TEACHERS ARE JUST LIKE YOU! TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR VARIOUS STYLES

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RED KNIGHTS SUIT UP: SHOPPING AT THE SPIRIT SHOP

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OUR RESIDENT

SIGNATURE SNEAKERHEAD

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Hi everyone, I’m so excited for you all to read this year’s second edition of the KEQ. As we begin our second semester, it’s important to take some time to gain more knowledge of the school community we are immersed in. For this edition, the writers and I decided to focus on the fashion here at BSM. Fashion often tells a lot about either a person or a community. It tells a story and sheds light on what that person or community stands for and believes in. This is why I thought it was important to delve into how fashion is represented at BSM. It will give every reader a better understanding of BSM and what we stand for as a whole.

Overall, fashion is such a huge part of BSM’s culture. Because of this, there were so many different areas to cover. Whether it be the history behind BSM’s controversial dress code or the team apparel of our various sports teams, each area of fashion throughout our community contains significance.

It has been a great joy for me to be the editor-in-chief of this quarter’s KEQ. Thank you to all the writers, photographers, designers, and staff who have contributed to this publication and made it such an easy process.

Harry Madden, KEQ Editor-in-Chief.

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Students at BSM use different inspirations to execute their styles. (cont. on page 4.)

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>>>>>>>>>>> S tyles and trends are ever-changing, but students at BSM interested in fashion are seemingly on top of the latest and greatest, or they create their own trends.

Juniors Hampton Weber and Oriana Sampson express themselves through fashion. Alongside seniors Walker Niebergall and Coco Wicka, these four students have created an environment at BSM where their classmates should feel comfortable dressing eccentrically. “I hope that my style inspires the people around me and shows them that the type of clothes they wear can bring confidence to themselves,” Wicka said.

Weber describes his style as innovative, expressive, colorful, and young. With a long list of both online websites and stores that he shops at, including Stockx, Zara, H&M, Champion, Off White, Supreme, Saint Laurent, Burberry, Travis Scott, and Mansion Margiela, Weber almost never buys his clothes at full price. At a young age of thirteen, Weber started to pursue his style with himself as his own inspiration, but it is continually changing. “To me, my style expresses my ingenious, original, and innovative philosophy,” Weber said.

Sampson describes her style as ranging from “prairie girl” to “military-all-black.”

Her style inspiration is Valdrin Sahiti, a 32-year-old fashion designer from Europe.

“If I could afford his dresses, that’d be all I’d wear,” Sampson said.

After wearing uniforms up until high school, Sampson admitted she tried to be

“quirky” for a while, acting like she wasn’t just a basic girl who loved shopping. “In high school, I discovered that I loved shopping. Clothes are really fun to play around with. I can wear athletic clothes and be fine, but buying new fashionable clothes is fun,” Sampson said.

Niebergall takes a different approach to expressing his style. Consistently shopping at Goodwill, Unique Thrift, and H&M, Niebergall never pays full price for anything. “It’s against my character,” Niebergall said.

My style is like an extension of how I view myself.

- Walker Niebergall

At the age of 14, Niebergall dressed like Jacob Statorious, but it is evident that his style slowly progressed over time. Looking back at the pictures of his grandpa in the mid-70s, Niebergall confessed that he saw a lot of similarities. Through mixing “skater boy” and “preppy” styles, his style changes based on his emotions. “My style is like an extension of how I view myself. I was into ‘e-boy’ stuff before it was cool or even had a name,” Niebergall said.

Niebergall is more than just a fashion

icon. His claim to fame is that he’s an influencer. “I mean, I wear something, and the next week I see people wear something, you know? I don’t want to say that I’m responsible for bettering the fashion of other males in the grade, but at the same time, I do,” Niebergall said.

Wicka, seen wearing lots of layers paired with high top sneakers, describes her style as “urbanish.” Shopping at stores like Free People, Urban Outfitters, Adika, or Target has inspired her to experiment with many different styles. Wicka’s style expresses the type of person that she is, and who she wants to be. “Through traveling, I’ve gained cultural knowledge of the different trends and styles which has helped me discover my own personal style,” Wicka said.

Regardless of whether someone’s going for an e-boy, goth, skater-boy, or prep look, it’s important to own it. “I realize that ‘good design’ is all based on opinion, but most people would agree on the level of design of a given article. Some people pay full price, and that is not right nor wrong; if you justify paying $500 for a t-shirt, knock yourself out. If you think it’s ridiculous, then it’s ridiculous. My point being that it is not decent to criticize others’ styles and outfits because style is subjective,” Weber said.

Writer: Morgan Anderson Photographer: Jack Shields Designer: Max Erra

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RED KNIGHT ARMOR W

Students flash red and white pride through BSM gear bought at the Spirit Shop.

Writer: Connor Rahill Photographer: Lexi Basil Designer: Flynn Skahan & Wes Kirchner

hen walking through the halls of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, one may be greeted with a sea of students showing off their BSM spirit wear. Students pack the hallways, classrooms, and sporting events wearing BSM sweatshirts, jackets, pants, and many other articles of clothing representing a variety of school clubs and activities.

In a survey of 100 students, 89 respondents said they wear BSM branded clothing, and sweatshirts are the most popular clothing item by a considerable margin; eight out of ten students at BSM own a Red Knight sweatshirt. Spirit Shop volunteer Heather Scherer says that sweatshirts are consistently one of the highest selling items in the Spirit Shop. “It’s the same design we’ve had for probably eight or nine years, but it sells well all the time,” Scherer said.

While there are ‘mainstays’ that remain as high sellers for years, there are certain items that rotate in and out of popularity. This year, the hottest new item in the Spirit Shop is the Champion crewneck sweatshirt. “We were nervous to order those crewneck sweatshirts for Roundup, and then they sold out within the first couple of hours,” Scherer said.

Passing clothing fads can be difficult

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to keep up with, and the Spirit Shop volunteers try their hardest to stay on top of the trends. The Spirit Shop sells current and popular clothing items such as Champion sweatshirts and trucker hats in order to satisfy students’ demand to follow today’s fashion crazes. The volunteers also take input from students and sell requested items.

“We’ll take ideas from students, too; those Pura Vida bracelets that we’re selling were a student’s idea,” Scherer said.

The Spirit Shop volunteers order apparel from BSN Sports, a large supplier of high school and college apparel and team uniforms. BSN supplies the Spirit Shop with brands that are popular among students, such as Nike, Under Armour, and Champion. The Spirit Shop primarily uses BSN sports because of their reliability and low cost. “We try to keep things affordable, so everybody can wear [BSM apparel],” Scherer said.

However, price can still be a problem for some students. Sophomore John Mulcahy likes the designs of the school apparel, but he doesn’t purchase a lot of apparel because of the high cost. “I don’t buy clothes in the Spirit Shop very often because some of it is kind of expensive,” Mulcahy said.

Many students take pride in the clubs

and activities that they participate in.

Three out of four students at BSM own apparel representing their extracurricular activity, while just less than half of students have BSM apparel not specifically related to a team. Senior Kelly Dempsey owns seven different kinds of spirit wear, and nearly all of them come from dance team. “I have so much from dance team that I have never had a reason to buy anything else,” Dempsey said.

One of the main reasons students buy apparel is because of the attractive and eye-catching designs, but another important factor is the desire to show school spirit.

When students wear BSM clothing in public, they represent the school and show that they are proud to be Red Knights. “Wearing BSM apparel is a great way to show school spirit and wearing it in public is a great way to start conversations, and it represents BSM in my community,” Dempsey said.

Members of the BSM community also often wear apparel to sporting events.

Students and parents alike love to cheer on BSM sports teams while wearing clothes that represent their school. “When [athletes] look up in the stands, they like to see a sea of red,” Scherer said.

“We try to keep things affordable so everybody can wear BSM apparel.”

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The Wardrobe of the STUDENT SECTION

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art of a long-time tradition at BSM, or any high school for that matter, is the dressing up of the student section for sporting events. Football games, soccer games, volleyball games, hockey games, and baseball/softball games, are all events that BSM students have dressed up for. Many of the students will find a way to coordinate a theme to show unity and school spirit.

At BSM in particular, two seniors, Nick Renk and Zach Carden, run a student section Twitter account (@BSMstudent_ sect) that provides students the themes for

certain sporting events, especially big ones.

They took over the account from 2019 graduates Ian Bahr and Mason James.

“The account has been passed down by the seniors for two years now, and we plan to keep that tradition alive,” Renk said.

Every year, the Twitter account gains more followers and is more active with sporting events. It used to be just for football games, but now it is for any game or match with big meaning in the BSM sports community. “We try to make the student section look good and stand out. If every-

one is wearing the same thing, it makes the student section feel like one,” Renk said.

The Twitter account has reached over 300 followers and is used to promote sporting events and school spirit. “The point of the Twitter account is to get the word out about BSM sports games and get students to go and support their classmates,” Renk said.

Red. White. Hawaiian. USA. Pink.

These are the most popular themes for the BSM student section. Most of the themes allow the students to be casual with their at-

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Writer: Nate Schweitzer Photo courtesy of Temo Photo Designer: Flynn Skahan

tire, but there are some, such as Hawaiian, that allows them to find their creative side.

Students will go out and buy stuff for these more creative themes to make the section look more crazy and spirited. “I probably spend about 20 dollars,” junior Abigail Hancock said.

For the Hawaiian theme, many people wear cheaply bought Hawaiian shirts, but it’s the accessories that take it to the next level. Crazy glasses, hats, leis, and skirts are examples of the items that make the Hawaiian theme so creative and student-driven. “For Hawaiian-out, I usually buy a $5 Hawaiian shirt and maybe throw on a little sun hat and glasses, too,” sophomore Brady Yakesh said.

For most student sections, the most

fun/creative ones are the most popular, but at BSM, that is not the reality. BSM’s main school color, red, brings the most out of the students. It is the simplest theme for the student section, but students love it because everyone has something red and it stands out to make the student section look like one. “My favorite theme for the student section is red-out,” Hancock said.

It’s not just looking good in red that makes the student section stand out. Red is a strong color that is bold and is easily picked up by the eye. The psychological aspect of the color red is closely related to energy, passion, and action. It also can excite emotions and motivate people to act. One could also say that the BSM student section also brings energy, passion, and action to

sporting events. “Red just seems to bring out a rowdier student section that gets the boys going,” senior football and hockey player Charlie Warnert said.

The notion around the school is that seniors go try-hard in dress-ups for the student section. It is their last year to show their school spirit, and they want to go all out for it to show all of their classmates their support, while the rest of the school is slightly less outgoing with their attire.

“The seniors go the hardest on the themes for sure. Besides that, everyone is the same.

Freshmen do tend to wear less but start to get better once they get more comfortable with their classmates and with the school,” Renk said.

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hile athletes essentially dress as duplicates of each other, they have one way to stand out from the rest––their equipment and accessories. Many athletes choose to dress beyond the normal uniform to present their specific personality and paramountly allow them to shape their persona on their respective playing field.

The predetermined notion of basing a player’s skill on what they wear is most prevalent in hockey. In the eyes of many, style is a key component to this sport. With hockey having the player’s whole body covered in gear, it gives a lot of room for different types of flair. It all starts with team warmups. The players usually can glance across the rink and see the other team warming up. This can cause intimidation right off the bat before anyone even steps on the ice. It is human nature to be afraid of sheer size, but the psychology of what a team is wearing can cause fear. “If the whole team is dressed the same and warming up all the same, it shows team chemistry and a well organized team,” junior hockey captain James Callahan said.

Once the teams are actually on the ice, the first thing they see is each other. From opposite sides of the ice, looks shoot back and forth as players feel each other out before the game starts. “I try to stay in my own bag, but I sometimes take a look at the boy I will be playing to see if he is dust or not,” senior Charlie Warnert said.

What type of cage a player wears on the helmet also can give some insight into the skill of the athlete. A fish bowl or a bubble is a trend that is coming back into style over the last couple of years. “Girls who wear fish bowls are girls that are complete dust, but there is a select group that wear them who are the best on the ice,” junior captain Abby Hancock said.

If a player doesn’t wear a fishbowl, which is generally the case, they will be repping a full cage. They come in black, white, grey or titanium. Again whatever color is chosen, it gives off a vibe. “If you wear titanium or grey you are automatically two

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levels down from the rest of the pack,” sophomore Adam Marshall said.

A tape job on the stick of a player displays what type of player they are. It can express that they are a gritty player or a fancy, soft player that likes to dipsy doo all over the ice. “A short strip on the end of the toe is usually a sniper. Grinders or enforcers always have a little strip in the middle of the toe a little bigger than an index finger,” senior Charlie Bischel said.

Black and white tape can also give off a distinct vibe. “White tape is someone who is a person who likes to stick handle a ton and is quick; while black tape is a shooter who is really smooth on the ice,” Bischel said.

Football is another contact sport where equipment and accessories are very much a factor in what players think of each other.

Especially with football being such a violent game, intimidation can be detrimental to a player’s mindset going into the game.

Certain brands are sometimes an automatic trigger that sends off radiations of a soft player. “If they have anything Supreme on, they are soft. Also if they wear anything with a design on it, like a camo sleeve, its just disappointing to say the least,” senior captain Joe Marinaro said.

Due to injuries, tape is also a big part of football. Guys will tape their ankles, wrists, and hands. This is seen as quite normal, but when guys start taping random body parts for no reason, it gets a little odd. “If they are a high school player wearing that tape on the back of their elbows, they think they are nice but are garbage,” Marinaro said.

Cleats also tell a lot about a player.

Generally classic team colored cleats are the norm. Players who want to express some stylishness, however, tend to sway away from those norms. “In high school, if they have cleats with money or cheetah skin on them, they want to be cocky and stick out. This means they are selfish and not a team player,” senior Elijah Brown said.

A major cupcake move in the minds of many is to wear sleeves. If it is cold out some see this as a sign of being afraid of the

elements. Others just want to stay warm. “I get why people don’t wear sleeves, but I am just trying not be dumb and play at a high level while staying warm,” junior Darnell McCrea said.

Gloves really have no effect on intimidation because they are so commonplace in this sport. Eye black is nearly the same, but it is more meant for the personal mindset of the player wearing the eyeblack. “You always have to go heavy eye black, gotta show get yourself ready for battle,” Marinaro said.

While hockey and football are contact sports, baseball is not. Surprisingly enough intimidation still exists. With baseball being another heavy accessory sport thoughts formulate in players’ heads before they step foot on the diamond.

Batting gloves have become almost a necessity when it comes to all levels of baseball. They used to be an odd thing to have and the player would be viewed as a softer than butter if they had them. Now the roles are completely swapped. “Someone who doesn’t wear batting gloves is a grinder,” sophomore Ben James said.

There is always that guy who wears sunglasses every game no matter what.

Many players even wear them when the sun isn’t even out. “I hate people who flex their sunglasses when it’s cloudy out,” James said.

Catchers have the option to wear knee savers. In a figurative sense, this is almost the same as sleeves on a cold night for football players. “They are a true warrior if they don’t, smart if they do,” sophomore Brady Yakesh said.

Clearly clothing sends off hidden messages even if the player isn’t trying to express it. Sports is very much a mental game and what they wear and how they wear it contributes to the mentality of a player greatly.

Writer: Charlie Deterding Photographer: Lexi Basil Designer: Mason McGonigle

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EVER CHANGING

Throughout the years, the BSM hockey jerseys have iterated to emulate some of the most iconic styles of today and yesterday.

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ust beyond the door of BSM’s boys’ hockey locker room, images plaster the walls showcasing jerseys from various years throughout the history of the hockey team. The styles range from a thick and dark wool jersey to a bright and lightweight breathable design in the signature red color that people associate with BSM today.

Over the past half-century, the jerseys have evolved with the times. Originally, the jersey design was very basic with Benilde written across the chest. As time went on and Benilde High School and St. Margaret’s Academy merged, the jerseys no longer simply said Benilde. The front of the jersey now sports names such as Red Knights, BSM, Benilde-St. Margaret’s or simply the iconic knight head.

With the help of Gemini Athletic and

HOCK

Adidas hockey, boys’ hockey head coach Ken Pauly develops a layout for each of his jerseys. The companies will send him a few templates to go off of and from there he structures his jersey. The jerseys have connections to other programs or are taken from parts of past BSM jerseys. Pauly is looking to build a program identity when choosing what his jersey will look like. “If you think about the best programs, you know what their jersey looks like, and they stick with it, and it becomes a staple. We have had a couple of major styles we have stuck with over the years. We have primarily stuck with the Detroit Red Wings style jersey for our home and away. I have also taken a jersey style from Boston College,” Pauly said.

In the building process of a Red Knight hockey jersey, Pauly likes to be

CKEY JERSEYS

very simple and not get too crazy with his design choice. The overall look of the numbers is one of the most important aspects of his jersey. “I like to avoid numbers that are too small. Sometimes guys will make jerseys too complicated and put white numbers on a white jersey. It might look good from two feet away, but it does not look good for someone sitting up in the stands. It is also hard to study game film and be able to read the players’ numbers when the numbers are white on a white jersey,” Pauly said.

In recent years, teams across the state have begun to change their jersey styles to be more simple and basic reflecting the early years of their programs. After the use of over 20 different jerseys, the BSM hockey program continues to return to its roots using the retro red with white and

black trim. “I love the old school, throwback jersey that was used in 2013 on Hockey Day Minnesota. It was a throwback from when Benilde was just Benilde high school,” assistant coach Derrick Raymond said.

The Detroit Red Wings style white home jersey has been used for the longest period of time. Within this period of time, the base color of the jersey was changed from a simple white to a tan color. For two years, the team switched to this base color, and it became a player favorite. “It was an oak color instead of white. It was unique and different but still felt like it was BSM,” junior varsity coach Tom Klein said.

To go along with the home white jerseys and the away red jerseys, BSM has also included red helmets to match the red jerseys and white helmets to match

the white jerseys. The helmets were a nice touch to go with the jerseys. “When you are playing at home, you want as much white contrast as you can, and when you are on the road, you want as much red contrast as you can,” Klein said.

Pauly is instrumental in designing the jerseys, his and the rest of the coaching staff’s favorite jerseys are the ones that bring in retro themes and reflect the history of BSM. The jerseys are designed with style and practicality in mind, but it’s also important to the designers to pay homage to some of the earliest jerseys the BSM hockey team wore.

Writer: Blake Mesenburg Photographer: Zach Zeman Designer: Jack Williams

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DRESSING

UP

for THE SHOW DOWN

Each team at BSM goes through the same apparel process but has their

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ports teams and clubs at Benilde-St. Margaret’s can be defined by their apparel. Whether it’s the sailing team repping their fleeces or the girls’ soccer team wearing their grey tracksuits, each sport has a distinct look.

A lot goes into choosing the apparel because players want to be comfortable and look sharp and intimidating to competitors.

Team apparel can be a great way to represent a team that someone is proud to be a part of, and most players wear it outside of their sport. All apparel choices have to go through Mr. Jerry Pettinger, who is the athletic director at BSM. “I try and prefer that all team apparel and design goes through me so we can make sure it keeps up with brand standards as we want BSM to be consistent in how we look. Of course, at times, things do sneak by,” Pettinger said.

Some of the regulations are that BSM can only have red, white, and grey apparel and Benilde-St. Margaret’s cannot be shortened to Benilde.

The sailing team has been distinctly known around the school for having impressive fleeces. Ananya Yogarajah is a junior who has been on the sailing team for three years and her favorite item that the team has gotten was the grey Patagonia fleece from two years ago. “I like how the detailing on it (the Red Knight and last name on the sleeve) is not super in your

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face, so it’s easy to wear all the time. It’s really comfortable, and it’s really nice to have on the water because it keeps us warm especially during the earlier parts of spring and later in the fall,” Yogarajah said.

Since their sport is on water, the sailors need to be practical about the apparel they choose. “Usually, we choose apparel mainly for warmth, quality, and material rather than solely how they look, even though we want them to look good, but it has to be practical, too,” Yogarajah said.

They pay for their apparel individually which means they have to choose wisely about what they want. “Paying for our apparel can sometimes make placing orders difficult to get team discounts and such, as the team is small in itself. We don’t fundraise, but we often place family orders for parents and siblings if they want apparel,” Yogarajah said.

The dance team gets an abundance of apparel every year, and spends a lot of money on it. “My favorite item that we got this year was our grey Champion sweatshirt that says Knightettes on the front because it looks very put-together and trendy. I also love getting classic black joggers because I wear those all the time and are worth the money,” dance team captain Lauren Hawkison said.

Not only does the dance team get their apparel at the beginning of the season that

usually rounds out to about eight hundred dollars, the team usually gets another set of items when going to State. “If we end up going to State, we have a huge send-off party where the team gets gifts from the parents and coaches. Last year, the gifts were black Nike tennis shoes, a grey Lululemon sweatshirt, and a red silk robe that we wore while we were getting ready,” dance team captain Jada Kosek said.

Although the apparel is expensive, dance team is in the summer, fall, and winter, so it definitely gets worn all the time. “We wear our tank tops and shorts to practice, warm up jackets and leggings to competitions, and I am always wearing the sweatshirts outside of practice,” Kosek said.

Girls’ tennis is similar to dance team in the sense that they have Lululemon and Nike apparel. They have red and white Lululemon shorts and a mix of red and white Lululemon and Nike tops. This is important for tennis because they can constantly mix and match what they are wearing for every match.

“I’ve always played tennis in Lululemon apparel. It’s the most comfortable to me, and they have it in Benilde red which is nice,” senior captain Anna Gehrin said.

Gehrin’s favorite apparel item they got this year was their white windbreaker because it’s nice to put on before or after matches.

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Team dress-up days build chemistry and raise awareness for athletes on game-days.

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their own unique style.

“I’ve wanted a windbreaker all four years that I’ve been on the team and I was so excited to finally get it my senior year,” Gehrin said. This year, the girls’ soccer team wore a grey, Under Armour tracksuit with matching red and white Nike Air Maxes, “I really liked the shoes we got this year because I think they really bring the outfit together. It looks a lot better when we all have everything the same and it’s intimidating to the teams we play,” junior captain Alli Voss said.

Each player pays for most of the apparel themselves, and it isn’t outrageously expensive because they get lots of team discounts. “How we choose items depends on how much we can spend. If what we like costs less than we are able to get more, like this year our grey jumpsuit didn’t cost as much as we thought, so we were able to get a long sleeve shirt and shoes that were in a reasonable price range for everyone,” Voss said.

Writer: Nick Renk, Live Schmitz Photographer: Alice Petty Designer: Jack Williams

n game days, it is not uncommon to see the otherwise commonly dressed athletes of BSM transform themselves through a variety of costumes, all to draw attention to that day’s game. Other than the game itself, the preparation for dressing may be the most difficult and strenuous part of the whole day. With many opinions from teammates, teams and captains have to be careful and make sure that everyone is able to participate in the dress up along with making sure that the theme they choose is within the BSM dress code.

“The biggest thing is that we follow the rules and be respectful to our opponents. We also can’t have dress ups that are borderline of the dress code,” senior Sarah Luong, captain of the volleyball team, said.

The volleyball team has stood out this year for their creative dress ups. The team rocked everything from their warm ups to dressing up as e-girls: all in raising awareness for their game. Out of all of the options, the team warm ups seemed to be the favorite. The volleyball team could be seen wearing their warm ups before every away game they had.

For home games they wore pajamas, Hawaiian shirts, groutfits, and tie dye. The girls’ hockey team takes a different approach on things. Along with wearing the classic apparel and jerseys for games, they also have a traditional dress up for the first section game of the year. When the first section game comes around, students can see the girls’ hockey team wearing their breezers around the school. “Everyone’s favorite dress up is definitely when we wear breezers for the first day of sections,” Rose Beeman, senior and assistant captain of the girls’ hockey team, said.

Boys’ basketball has two dress ups that they partake in. For home games, they dressup in their all red jumpsuits and for away games they dressup and wear ties and button down shirts. “We wear nice stuff to look professional walking into the gym and that we mean business,” Zach Carden, senior basketball captain, said.

The dance team also has a variety of dress ups that they use throughout their fall and winter seasons. For regular competitions, the team usually wears joggers with one of their sweatshirts. For big competitions such as sections or state, the team chooses to spice it up a little, by wearing things such as jazz shoes or leotards over their jeans. “The point of these dress up days is to let other students and faculty know that we have a competition, and it’s always fun to see my teammates in the hallways wearing the same thing as me,” senior Liv Schmitz, captain of the dance team said.

There are many purposes to these dress up days. The dress ups are often meant to raise awareness for the games. It reminds people that they are playing tonight and helps get their team noticed. “It also helps bring awareness to our game that night so that we can get people to come.

Overall, it’s just for fun, and it helps us get excited for our game that night,” Luong said.

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The History an

When one of the greatest basketball playe create the Air Jordans, basketball and

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ichael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan is an NBA champion and finals MVP, a five-time NBA season MVP, a fourteen-time all-star, a Hall of Famer, a billionaire, and arguably the most influential sports player in fashion history because of his name brand shoe— the Air Jordan. There are thirty-four different Air Jordans starting with the Jordan 1 that came out in 1985 and continuing on through the Jordan 34 that came out in September of 2019, and there is no sign of these shoes stoping being made.

The Nike Air Jordan 1 is the best selling Nike shoe of all time, and within Nike’s top thirty best selling shoes of all time, twelve of them are Jordans. The Jordan basketball shoe started the “sneakerhead” fad that led to millions of people obsessing over these shoes. Debuting in 1985, Jordan 1 became the very first sneaker specifically designed for and named after one player.

Because the Air Jordan 1 was not a primarily white shoe, the first Air Jordan did not follow the NBA’s 51% rule which said that player’s footwear has to be mostly white and have team colors on it. The shoe was banned from being worn in the NBA because it did not follow this rule and

a $5,000 fine was charged every time a player decided to wear them. To add to the hysteria, Michael Jordan wore his shoe day in and day out instead of obeying the NBA’s rules.

Rumor has it that Nike paid all of Jordan’s $5,000 fines and encouraged him to keep wearing his sneakers because the shoes were starting to take off and the sales of the shoes were through the roof. After seeing the kind of revenue, the NBA allowed players to wear more colorful sneakers on the basketball court. Today, the 51% rule doesn’t exist because of Jordan’s actions.

The hype of the Air Jordans was most definitely real. “All the cool kids wore Jordans… I just wanted them to fit in,” Mr. Jeremy Cramer, a religion teacher who grew up in the Jordan era said.

Every kid growing up wanted these shoes. “I wanted the Jordans 4s so bad,” Ryan Hogan, an English teacher said.

Writer: Matthew Nachbor Photographer: Jack Shields Designer: Max Shogren

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layers of all time teamed up with Nike to and fashion history changed forever.

Just like Cramer and Hogan, Science teacher John Porisch also wanted the shoes.

“I wanted Air Jordans so bad, but instead I was gifted the knock-off version, the City Wing Pony, because the Jordans were far too expensive,” Porisch said.

The expense of the shoes made it hard for some kids to get their hands on them.

“Not a lot of kids had them, but it seemed like everyone wanted them,” Mr. Jeff Fix said.

It’s obvious that pretty much every kid wanted Jordans, but the reason they were desirable is a lot less obvious. “Part of the reason they were so desirable was because of the inaccessibility of the shoe. They were higher priced and higher valued than any other shoe,” Hogan said.

Wearing Jordan sneakers was more than just wearing average everyday basketball shoe. “If you wore Jordans, you were thought to be the best player on the court, but even more than that, it was a status symbol,” Fix said.

Obviously, Jordans were the popular shoe during the mid-1980’s to the early 2000’s because of Michael Jordan being a dominant figure in the NBA. When Michael Jordan retired for the third and final time in 2003, the shoes continued to be popular.

Ever since the Jordan 1 debuted in

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1985, Jordans have adapted to be more than just a basketball sneaker. Jordans are now a lifestyle sneaker worn more for style rather than basketball purposes. Last year, the Jordan brand pulled in 3.14 billion dollars of revenue. “Jordans are really about the culture, and they became a stylistic phenomenon. They are perfect because they are simplistic but stylish,” Junior Aydan

Davidson said. It almost seemed as though there was an unhuman-like aura surrounding Michael Jordan. He won championship after championship, MVP after MVP, and he was always everyone’s favorite basketball player. He had the Midas touch, where everything he touched turned to gold—including his shoe-line.

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hroughout the halls of the Benilde-St. Margaret’s, there are people with a wide variety of hobbies.

These various hobbies include playing sports, fishing, playing an instrument, and much more. Help Desk Manager Bill Cheney’s hobby is collecting shoes.

By definition, a sneakerhead is a person who collects and trades sneakers as a hobby and who typically is knowledgeable about the history of sneakers. “In 2009-2010, I started to consider myself a sneakerhead,” Cheney said.

Cheney began his hobby during his high school days. He was really into skateboarding at a young age and really liked skate shoes, so he started to slowly collect them. Then, his love for basketball skyrocketed, and basketball shoes became his new fascination. “Sneakers are almost like basketball cards. You can tie any shoe back to an NBA moment, and each shoe has a story,” Cheney said.

Like many sneakerheads, Cheney does not remember his first pair of shoes. However, his first memorable shoe is the Jordan 7 (Raptor Colorway). His cousin bought them while he was overseas and wrapped them up and gave the Raptor 7s to Cheney as a Christmas present. The first shoe he geeked about was the KD 4 Scoring Title Edition.

In college, he truly began to realize that he was a sneakerhead. While he was in public, people began to look out for what shoes he was wearing that day.

He realized that shoes were somewhat a part of his identity. “Going to the market at two in the morning to get milk, I would just throw on some slides. But if I knew I would be seen in public, I would wear nice shoes and color coordinate my outfit,” Cheney said.

In college, he also realized that he didn’t only have to buy shoes, but he could sell shoes to make a profit as well. He would buy one pair of shoes for himself and buy another two or three to resell later on. “I would sit on the shoes for a couple years and wait for them to rise in price and wait for people to become interested in them once again. The sneakerhead industry is all about supply and demand,” Cheney said.

The most expensive shoes he has sold thus far are Nike Doernbecher 2s. He sold them for a couple of thousand dollars. All profits made by Doernbechers goes towards cancer research as each version of Doernbechers is made by a Make-A-Wish child.

However, Cheney’s favorite part about the shoe game is the hunt of getting the shoes, like camping out for shoes and hoping a pair is still available. Waiting in line for a day and a half just hoping and praying there will be shoes left in the store. Not only will Cheney stand in line, but he will ask friends around the country to stand in line for him and enter shoe raffles for him. He will

send them money to purchase certain shoes for him. He does not always win the shoes, but when he does, he will send a little extra gratitude money to his friend.

His most expensive shoes, the Union Air Jordan One, which are worth around $2,000 dollars, were bought by a friend that he paid to stand in line. The shoes were only available in a single store in California, and Cheney called one of his friends to see if he would be able to stand in line for him. “I had friends fly in from all over the country just to enter the raffle for the shoes not knowing if they would get the shoes for sure, so I didn’t think I had a chance at getting the shoes. But lucky for me, I got a pair,” Cheney said.

There is quite a big community of sneakerheads around the country. Cheney has met many cool people from around the country at many different sneaker events. His favorite event so far has been SneakerCon. SneakerCon is the world’s premier sneaker show, providing a huge space for vendors and attendees to buy, sell, and trade some of the most sought after footwear in the game. Cheney enjoys events like these because he can make a profit on shoes by only walking 40 feet. Buy one shoe for $400 then walk to another vender and sell those same shoes for $450.

“There is really no default value for shoes. You can talk people up and down in price,” Cheney said.

Cheney has met many cool people in the sneakerhead community. One of those people is BSM 2016 grad Bill Lichliter.

“I helped Bill get the Travis Scott Jordan 1s. I was trying so hard to help him get them that I missed out on them,” Cheney said.

Today, the sneakerhead community of BSM is quite small. There are students who have stayed involved in shoes and are very knowledgeable about the topic, but none of them are necessarily sneakerheads themselves. “I would consider myself the only sneakerhead at BSM,” Cheney said.

With over hundreds of shoes, BSMs Bill Cheney loves collecting shoes and considers himself a passionate sneakerhead.

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Although BSM students have widely different styles and fashion preferences, some of these common accesories are too good to pass up.

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ccessories expand students’ sense of style and their ability to make statements through clothing. These little additions may include shoes, jewelry, hair clips, headbands, and handbags.

While accessories themselves have always been a prevalent addition to fashion, they have changed drastically over time.

With 90s attire back in style, hair clips have seen a large comeback in the fashion world. Many students remember wearing hair clips and barrettes as children, but now they fill the hallways at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. This trend made a comeback during the summer months.

Oftentimes girls color coordinate hair clips with their outfit, bags, or makeup. This is the spitting image of trends that were popular in the 90s. “I wear them [hair clips] to save time and effort in the morning while adding an extra piece to my look,” said senior Jordan Schindler.

Hair clips are also accompanied by hair scarves and headbands. Hair scarves were at their peak during the 50s but have slowly made a comeback. The scarves are tied around a ponytail and hang down, adding an extra touch to any outfit. Headbands are often worn in the middle of one’s head with pieces in the front pulled out. These specific details either make or break this accessory

addition.

Masses of rings have also found their way into the spotlight. Many girls stack chunky and larger rings together with dainty pieces in order to make the perfect combination. Various kinds of ear piercings have also become more popular. Having two or more piercings is very common,

and now it’s not unusual to see mismatch earrings being treated as a pair. The lack of coordination creates a more effortless look and switches things up. “I think rings are unique enough that they have the potential to show someone’s style more than the just top they are wearing. I wear them because they are super unique to me” said senior Bridget Baker.

Dainty necklaces may be paired with a variety of looks, adding just the simplest touch. A dainty necklace is characterized through a very thin chain and simple design, nothing standing out too much. “I wear my confirmation necklace every day, it’s my staple piece. I don’t like being without it,” said sophomore Mary Zavoral.

While accessories tend to be more associated with girls, boys at BSM have been proving that they may also accessorize and take advantage of today’s current trends.

Senior Pepe Smith is often seen wearing a Louis Vuitton bracelet, stacked rings, an earring, and a chain, encompassing many of the trends seen amongst his male classmates. “Honestly I just wear whatever I want, simple as that. I don’t try to follow a set style or any trends, I just wear what I think looks good,” Smith said.

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oodwill, Arc’s Value Village, and Shop For Change—there is an endless list of thrift stores in the Twin Cities. What many teens previously deemed an awkward experience of sifting through racks of donated clothes and the miscellaneous smells that come with them, has now become a popular pastime for finding vintage and trendy clothes for a cheap price.

Thrift stores are mainly known for their positive environmental and economic contributions to families in need. Most second-hand clothes stores like Goodwill will donate their profits to help people find jobs and support themselves and their families. The impact of on oversized men’s t-shirt reaches far beyond the fashion statement, contributing to the jobs for unemployed and financial stability for families. By saving clothes from being thrown out and giving them a chance to be reused, thrift stores can limit the amount of unnecessary waste.

But when did thrifting become socially acceptable and cool? Let’s be honest, during the middle school years, when someone complimented an outfit, no one would dare commit the fashion sin of saying, “Thanks, I thrifted it.” Now, the mom jeans and vintage, oversized men’s t-shirt proudly worn to school allow you to declare your thrifting like a badge of honor.

Perhaps it is the exposure thrifting has received from influencers, the value of uniqueness teenagers desire, or maybe it’s the very shift in fashion itself.

The popularity of thrifting is very much multi-faceted. One of the most prominent trends of the past few years embraces a “vintage” feel.

While items like mom jeans, crewneck sweatshirts, and oversized graphic shirts can certainly be bought in other stores, a craving for uniqueness is what drives people to thrift stores. The internet holds nearly imaginable items, but it’s much harder to complete an image that is distinctive to one individual when everyone has access to the same clothes. Vintage clothes perfectly fit the popular style of today while also delivering a look that few can copy. “Vintage clothing has become a very popular trend, and there is no better place to get vintage stuff than a thrift store,” senior Walker Niebergall said.

Thrift stores fulfill not only style standards, but they don’t break the bank as well. Unique, second-hand, even limited-edition

items sell for a fraction of their retail price. Finding the perfect pair of designer jeans in your size is truly an accomplishment, especially when you might not have been able to afford them from a different store. Even the most intense Black Friday sales can’t compete with the everyday price of thrift store clothing. “[Thrift shopping] is cheaper, I can get a $3 sweatshirt that retails for $49.99,” Niebergall said.

Social media and fashion influencers have also contributed to the rise of thrifting. With YouTubers like Emma Chamberlain uploading thrift-haul videos and best tips for thrifting, millions of people watch and get hooked on the idea. A popular trend, as seen in these YouTube videos, is for girls to thrift men’s shirts and sweatshirts, and many will search for these items specifically. “When I thrift shop, I always migrate to the men’s section because the selection is better of sweatshirts and pants,” Senior, Emma Bearson said.

The embracing of thrift shopping has brought comfort to those who’ve loved the activity long before it was deemed cool. “I really love it, and I’m glad there is not a stigma attached to it like there used to be. I remember in elementary school everyone thought the idea of wearing clothes someone else had owned was gross, but now it’s become a trend,” senior Julia Hoover said.

The actual process of thrifting takes different forms for different people. Some make it a planned activity where they go to a store once a week while others have a much more relaxed approach. “Oftentimes my thrift shopping is spontaneous. Like if I have some time to kill or I’m hanging out with friends and I happen to be near a thrift store, that’s when I usually go,” Hoover said.

While it can be entertaining, it does not come without its own challenges. Coming across the perfect pair of jeans in the wrong size is painful. “Usually, I don’t go thrifting for a particular piece of clothing, just because you never know what exactly the store is going to have,” Hoover said.

However, sometimes, the stars align, and the perfect piece you’re longing for is waiting on a battered hanger. “I thrifted my homecoming dress last year and that was a huge steal. I got it for $14, and it looked fantastic. Couldn’t have been happier,” said Hoover.

Writer: Emily Howell Photographer: Jack Shields

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FOUR

SEASONS OF

FASHION

Despite various weather changes throughout the year, Minnesotans still staying in style.

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iving in Minnesota means living through four very different seasons, each with different climates. This leads to needing a closest with a variety of different kinds of clothing. Minnesota brings harsh winter months where trying to put on a cute outfit seems impossible; chilly and wet springs that make one wonder, “Should I wear a coat today or will a long sleeve do the job?”; brisk falls that are almost always perfect sweater-weather except for when mid-November turns the lake water from liquid to solid; and brutally hot summers where the lake water, still cold from the winter is the only thing to cool off.

SUMMER

Because of the many lakes here, summer is always taken advantage of. The biggest trend that came back for girls this past summer was high-waisted swimwear.

High-waisted bathing suits are a two-piece set and not just an ordinary bikini. The top remains the same, while the matching bottoms rise above the belly button rather than below it. “I love that this is a trend. It allows me to wear a bikini while still being able to feel comfortable within my own skin. It doesn’t cover my whole stomach, but it covers most of it while still being cute. Having confidence in what I’m wearing does not only let me enjoy the moment more, but allows me to feel great in my own skin,” local store owner Sommer Downs said.

Another trend that has come into style

for women is oversized tees. Oversized tees typically are worn two sizes bigger than the fitted style of the individual. This allows the t-shirt to fall below mid-thigh. “Since the oversized look is in style, it allows me to be more comfortable because the shirt isn’t skin tight. It is comfortable but still cute, which is always the goal,” freshman Mallory Mathwig said.

As for boys in the summer, athleisure is what’s in style. “Lululemon shorts are worth the price because you truly get what you paid for. The fabric of the shorts allows me to wear them for multiple years without them ever feeling like they’re not brand new,” sophomore Mitchell Dokman said.

For shoes, both girls and boys often wear “Jesus sandals,” aka Birkenstocks, throughout the summer. “Birkenstocks are the best. They are a very supportive shoe, and you can dress them up or down which is great,” sophomore Adam Marshall said.

FALL

Transitioning into the slightly colder season of fall, summer clothing like sandals and swimwear are not worn often. In the early 2000s, low-waisted jeans were in.

Now, high-waisted jeans are in––not just any high-waisted jeans: vintage ones. “Old trends are the new trends. Everyone wants to make old clothing look new. High-waisted Levi jeans are the most popular seller in stores during the fall time because they ride up high on your waist, allowing the crop-

tops to not show so much stomach. This allows kids to wear the shorter tops because less of their stomach is shown with the jeans,” Downs said.

The classic fall flannel is still in style. “I love flannels in the fall because you can tie them around your waist if it’s warm outside or wear it if it’s cold. It’s a super versatile piece of clothing,” sophomore Max Benning said.

A new trend coming into play for the fall time are beanies. Boys and girls both rock beanies because they are warm and also stylish. “I wear beanies all the time now and see others wearing them often too.

They’re snug to your head and really help add an extra piece to any outfit in the fall season,” senior Phoebe Sellke said.

WINTER

The coldest season of them all: winter.

Minnesota is known for having brutally cold winters with below-average temperatures that can make it hard when trying to be warm but also stylish. A popular trend with both boys and girls in the winter is Lululemon joggers. Lululemon joggers, like the shorts, are very expensive. “Lululemon joggers are the best joggers out there. They’re super comfortable, but they’re more fitted to your body than sweatpants. I love wearing my Lululemon joggers on block days when I’m sitting in long classes because their quality is great,” Benning said.

A few years ago, turtle necks were al-

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most never worn. Now, they are one of the most popular shirts in the wintertime. “Turtle necks I think came back in style because of the oversized t-shirt trend. This allows you to wear all of those t-shirts you got in the summertime in the winter because you can layer a turtleneck underneath it to stay warm,” Downs said.

SPRING

Old is the new trend. The 80s vibrant colors are in, especially during the springtime. Retro windbreakers have made a comeback. “After a long, dark winter, I want to see as much color I can get. Windbreakers are the perfect transition piece be-

cause they still give you warmth from the long sleeves, but the material is light, so you aren’t overheating. The 80s colors for some reason are appealing to me because they’re so neon and fun,” junior Grace Bauer said.

Along with windbreakers, another spring trend is khaki shorts. Khaki shorts are popular for guys and have been for years. “Nothing can beat khaki shorts in the springtime. They’re shorts, but made with a thick material, so you aren’t freezing. It’s the perfect piece of clothing because in the spring sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t know if winter is over or summer is here,” senior Charlie Warnert said.

Minnesotans make due with having to

constantly switch up their style to adapt to the weather changes by having a good attitude and a ton of clothes. Living in Minnesota forces people to own different types of clothing for each season. “You gotta have good clothes for the fall, good clothes for the summer, good clothes for the spring, and a ton of clothes for the winter,” says Axel Toft.

Writer: Maddie Zachman Photographer: Jack Shields Designer: Flynn Skahan

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A Non-UNIform

Catholic School

Benilde-St. Margaret’s holds a long history of being a nonuniform Catholic school, resulting in both praise and criticism.

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SM is the only Catholic high school in the Twin Cities area that does not have a uniform. It is a valid truth that most Catholic schools require their students to wear uniforms. So, why did BSM decide to break the mold of traditional Catholic schools and allow their students to follow a dress code rather than a uniform? The answer is not completely clear.

Senior High Principal Dr. Susan Skinner’s understanding of this question is that it has simply always been BSM’s history. “The practical answer to the question why don’t we have uniforms is because we never did,” Skinner said.

When Benilde High School and St. Margaret’s Academy were separate schools, the boys at Benilde did not have uniforms, while the girls at St. Margaret’s did have uniforms. When the two schools came together to form Benilde-St. Margaret’s, the girls kept their uniforms for a period of time. “When the school’s merged, the girls had uniforms the boys did not. As best as we can figure out the last year of uniforms for the girls might have been 1982,” Mary Fran O’Keefe said.

Since this time, BSM has been a no uniform Catholic school simply because it has been the school’s tradition, and it has worked for the school. “There have not been compelling reasons to make a change,” Skinner said.

The debate over uniforms is not something that the BSM staff talks about every year. BSM will stay with the dress code method unless a significant problem arises. “If there were a pressing issue that could be solved by uniforms, we would consider it. If there were compelling reasons that would improve the educational environment for our students and that uniforms were the solution, then we could consider it,” Skinner said.

Although BSM does not have uniforms, it does hold its students to a relatively strict dress code. This dress code is able to serve some of the purposes of a uniform, pushing students to dress professionally while also allowing students to have somewhat of a free choice. “I think the dress code over the uniform is better. The dress code allows us to talk with students about what is appropriate and not appropriate in terms of how you present yourself,” Skinner said.

BSM as an institution has a clear view on uniforms, but the student body is more divided. Students make up all sides of the debate. Some want to keep the dress code the way it is; others want to completely change to uniforms, and some students, such as senior Jordan Schindler, want anything other than the current dress code situation. “Honestly I would kind of be down for uniforms. It would take away so much stress and time. Although if we could wear whatever we wanted then I wouldn’t want uniforms,” Schindler said.

Out of the 230 BSM students that responded to a survey about uniforms, thirty-three percent of the students want BSM to

get uniforms and sixty-seven do not want uniforms. While looking at the general trends in interviews conducted, the people in support of uniforms at BSM are predominantly upperclassmen girls and people who went to schools with uniforms. Most male students and underclassmen interviewed are strongly against a uniform.

For the students who support the current uniform policy at BSM, such as freshman Samantha Steensland, they see the free choice in what they wear as a way to express themselves. Having a choice in one’s outfit can be a tool for self-confidence. “Not having a uniform allows me to express myself, and I don’t have to conform to a certain wardrobe. I can look cute one day and comfy another,” Steensland said.

Some students hold the view that not having a uniform allows students to wear what they are comfortable in. Uniforms might not work for everyone’s body type, and they can make students feel uncomfortable throughout the school day. “At my old school, the uniforms simply did not fit the girls. They were boxy and did not fit the growing figure of any girl. Uniforms would be good if there were comfortable and were able to fit girls of all shapes and sizes. Although, this is very hard to do,” junior Anna Meina said.

Students on the other side of the argument see the dress code as a source of stress in the morning. Senior Laura Boase and others would rather have one outfit to pick in the morning than waste time searching through their closet. “Honestly I kind of think it would be easier if we did have uniforms. It is super hard to prep an outfit everyday,” Boase said.

Many students believe the lack of a uniform at BSM doesn’t just cause stress in the morning, but it also causes a sense of negative social pressure around the hallways and classrooms. There is a natural tendency for teenagers to compare themselves to others and want to keep up with what is “cool.” Some students see a school without uniforms as a breeding ground for these types of negative inclinations. When teenagers feel like they must keep up with others, it can be very expensive. “I don’t like the dress code, and I don’t like having to buy a lot of clothes. You would save money, save time in the morning, and you would not compare yourself to other people. Having uniforms would be good for self image,” senior Lexie Borgelt said.

There are pros and cons to uniforms, pros and cons to a dress code, and pros and cons to complete free choice in clothing. The current dress code at BSM can be a way for students to express themselves, but also a way for students to feel unneeded social pressure. Most students have some sort of opinion on the current dressing regulations at BSM, either wanting less of a dress code or a complete switch to uniforms. Although, unless a problem arises, BSM will not be changing its long-standing tradition of being a Catholic school without uniforms any time soon.

“The practical answer to the question why don’t we have uniforms is because we never did.”

-Dr. Skinner

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lDress and Denim t e ac h e r s g i v e t h e i r t h o u g h t s o n t h e t e ac h e r d r e s s co d e a n d w h at c a s ua l F r i day s m e a n to them.

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riday is a day of fun and anticipation for the students, but for the teachers, Friday holds a different meaning.

Fridays include much more leisurely wear for teachers that many would consider to be the best part about the dress code.

The teacher dress code, as stated in the teacher handbook, is “Professional dress…”, which includes any typical business attire.

The intent with the dress code, according to principal Dr. Susan Skinner, is “to look professional because a teacher is a profession… A doctor wears scrubs, a lawyer wears a suit, policemen wear a police uniform.”

The BSM Administration is held to an even higher standard and that is thanks to school president Dr. Adam Ermentraut. He is known for his modern, classy suits, and legend says he has never worn the same suit twice. “Our president sets a good example

for us; every day I see him in a nice suit…

He just exudes professional dress,” Skinner said.

Jeans day holds a special place in the teachers’ hearts. Every Friday, faculty, staff, and administration are encouraged to participate in the weekly jeans day, also known as Spirit Days. “Jeans days are nice; there’s something about putting on a different pair of pants that makes people feel casual and comfortable,” John Sabol, business teacher, said.

Megan Kern, history teacher, also enjoys jeans days at BSM, “Jeans days are pretty great; they add on to an already great day,” said Kern.

The one specific qualification for jeans day is that teachers must wear a red BSM top with their jeans, which is where the name Spirit Day comes from.

This isn’t hard for the teachers, because they are provided with a BSM shirt at the beginning of every year. “In the past two years, we’ve bought all faculty and staff two nice BSM pieces that work well for jeans day,” Skinner said.

Sabol loves the flexibility that comes with the overall dress code in general.

Room 16, Mr. Sabol’s room, is notorious

for being hot, and he appreciates his freedom to wear short-sleeved polo shirts on a daily basis. He even wishes sometimes he could wear shorts. “Some of those days became unbearable in the hallways, bathrooms, and classrooms with exposed windows,” Sabol said.

Kern’s favorite part about the dress code is that she doesn’t have to wear a suit or dress to work like some other schools.

She wishes she could have Spirit Days all the time. “I think it would be nice to always be able to wear jeans as long as it was with Red Knight spirit wear,” Kern said.

Beyond the dress code, teachers at BSM are also encouraged to participate in the many dress-up days throughout the year such as Catholic Schools Week, Homecoming Week, and Halloween.

Spanish teacher Profe Terell is known for her wild Halloween costumes, “Every year I dress us as Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter, known for her colorful self-portraits,” Terell said.

Sabol, on the other hand, only dresses up when it’s convenient for him. “Often times I don’t have clothes for the dress up days, if I do then I might wear them,” Sabol said.

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ew trends are forever going in and out of style and will always be part of fashion. In recent years, many trends have come from past; in 2019, there is a strong sense of inspiration which has come from trendy styles in the 60’s 70’s 80’s and 90s.

Popular trends that have returned that are frequently seen today include cargo pants, ripped denim, fun pants (designed pants), bell-bottom jeans, mom jeans, plaid, crop tops, and platform tennis shoes. At BSM, one can see a large variety of styles in the halls. Some of the most popular trends include mom jeans, platform tennis shoes, and joggers; all of which have come back from past decades. They are worn for comfort as well as style. “I normally wear mom jeans. I like them because they are super cute and loose fitting which makes them more comfortable to wear on a day to day basis,” sophomore Maggie Amaris said.

Last seen in the 90s, joggers have made a huge comeback and are being sold at a rapid pace. Joggers used to be called sweatpants, and were invented in the 1920s for comfortable athletic wear.

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Walking through the halls at BSM, joggers are everywhere. Joggers are very cozy and fashionable. “I usually wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt because it is comfy. I really like joggers because they have style but they are also really comfortable,” sophomore Leo Warner said.

In this decade, it’s impossible to not notice hints of the 80s and 90s trends.

Leggings were a hit style in the 80s and returned in 2006 and are still largely popular today. Leggings can be seen anywhere even if the weather says it is too hot to wear them. Again, like joggers, they can be dressed up or down to a certain extent. They are worn for comfort along with style. “I like leggings because they are comfortable, versatile piece of an outfit that allows me to either dress up or down. If I want to be comfortable and don’t want to put forth too much effort, they are so fun to wear with a hoodie and sneakers. But if I wanted to dress them up, then I could by layering them with a long jacket or something that would compliment them,” sophomore Emma Proulx said.

Some trends are long-lived while some are short-lived. For the trends that end quickly, they tend to not be so sought

after. Recently, one of the short-lived trends was chokers. Chokers were popular in the 1920’s and 1940’s as well as the 80’s and 90’s and have made a comeback. Although the trend has faded, they occur every once in awhile in the halls at BSM. “I am not a huge fan of chokers because I think they look weird with some outfits, and they can sometimes downgrade outfits,” freshman Abby Garvin said.

Not having uniforms at BSM has allowed students to express who they are in a sense of style while also being comfortable.

“It enables students to dress how they want and through their clothes they can express themselves,” sophomore Avery Junker said.

For those who keep things and don’t get rid of them, trends which they kept may come back in style. It is unknown whether or not a trend will come back. “If you wait long enough, you see everything. And sadly, it is the validation for people like me being squirrels because we don’t throw things away, we keep them. It is unfortunate, but it is true,” English teacher Maura Brew said.

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