Quintessence: The Cosmic Issue by SCHS Flightline

QUIN TESS ENCE VO

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SSUE 3 // THE CO

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Contributors

Editors-in-Chief: Hannah Klemme, Gabby Giesler Copy Editor: Lily Yates Staff: Kayley Anderson, Tom Hermanek, Sara Zaleski, James Keeley, Peter Quinn, Allison Heithoff, Molly Gubbels, Maria Koliopolis, Ava Dreessen, Robert Killgore, Maria Miller, Allison Young, Sam Wiegand, Nessa Woosley 1

in this issue... 3

ASTRAY

6 9

PRETTY IMPERFECT

FIZZLING SUPERNOVAS

DO SPACE: TECH LIBRARY

DEFINING YOUR SPACE

IN ORBIT

From The Editor...

CONSTRUCTED CONFINEMENT

ASTROPHOPIA

2,380 MILES

ASTRAL ANTHEMS

JUST THE BREEZE IN THE TREES

12 15

BOUNDLESS: ART & POETRY

SPACE AND FILM

ZODIAC: FACT OR FICTION

41 43

INTO THE VOID

COSMIC BROWNIES

ART BY ANNA CAPOUN

The brilliant mind, Stephan Hawking once said, “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” Space: the universe’s greatest unknown. It’s almost impossible to even think about the galaxy and the complexity of it’s existence. It serves as a consistant curiosity that lends to some of humanity’s greatest discoveries. But being curious can be scary. The fear of the unknown can overpower the mind’s ability to wander for itself and asking questions can be a nuisance. When you think of the word ‘cosmic,’ you might envision a sky full of stars or an astronaut floating through an empty atmoshpere. As accurate as that may be, cosmicality is something much greater than that. Cosmicality is distance; it’s the inner beauty that we fail to see in ourselves. It creates an unspoken dialogue between the soul and the mind. This issue strives to discover that dialogue we may tune out at times. It’s important that we never lose our sense of wonder, and we hope this issue reminds you of that. Stay curious.

Astray

by Maria Koliopoulos

lost thoughts and untranslatable feelings cosmic /käzmik/ adjective

·of or relating to the universe or cosmos, especially as distinct from the earth. ·inconceivably vast.

It's easy to feel misunderstood. Words you might never speak bash against the insides of your skull, and sometimes they only succeed in reminding you of just how alone you very well may be. The mind is wired to thrive on human interaction, and when we convince ourselves that we are solitary in our dispositions, we subconsciously seclude ourselves from the surrounding culture. Once every blue moon, a few letters strung together can finally bridge the unforeseen gap amongst us. These words lay to rest here in the hope that you find solace and a home within their melancholy ambition. Jouska // joo-skä // noun // a hypothetical conversation you compulsively play out in your head endless nights spent staring at the ceiling, moonlight wasted on feelings left unspoken and thoughts thrown out to sea. The orange of the sun setting bleeds through the blinds and provides a lovely atmosphere for a conversation that will never occur.

Rubatosis // roo-bä-to-sis // noun// the unsettling awareness of your own heartbeat A heartbeat crashes through your consciousness, wreaking havoc on any sense your imaginary conversations might have been making. The covers slide off your shoulders as you sit up in a last ditch attempt to recreate your blanket[or veil I can’t decide] of words. Liberosis // li-be-ro-sis // noun // the desire to care less about things Slipping down the stairs, pushing ethereal conversations from your mind. False reassurances that it doesn’t matter; but it does. The slam of the door behind you rattles the windows in their panes, and it troubles you more than it should. Sonder // son-der // noun // the realization that each passerby has a life as complex as your own The soles of your shoes click against the pavement and partake in the anthem of the streets. A jacket slung over a slouched shoulder drifts by, a pair of matte red lips beginning to fade and smear travel through your periphery. A story unfolds from the chip in the windshield of that 57’ Caddy as it low-rides past. It hits a pothole, and yesterday’s rain soaks you with the living breath of seven billion. Kenopsia // ke-nôp-shah // noun // The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet Heels dragging along the concrete, you trudge on. A small house’s remains lie past victim to demolition. A set of stairs leads to nothing but the sky, and a chain link fence forbids you from reaching their promised enlightenment. The dusk becomes the dark, and at last, the dark becomes an ungodly hour. The sun has set on the reign of the nightlife, and now only the flickering yellow lights of the rusted street lamps rule. The metal pipes climbing up the alleys beckon ominously, but you slip by, the steam unable to hold you back.

Onism // ô-nism // noun // the frustration of being stuck in just one body, that inhabits only one place at a time Your lungs fill with the toxic vapor leaking upwards from the sewers, and your rib cage finally lives up to its name. You glare up at the stars, hardly visible through the city haze. Nerve endings and air molecules burst in a vain attempt to free themselves, to become as numerous as the very stars that taunt you. Nodus Tollens // no-düs tol-lenz // noun // the realization that the plot of your life doesn’t make sense to you any more Kaleidoscope eyes forge jaded memories. Rusting bicycles and broken crayons bend and break against the backs of your teeth, tongue flooded with the taste of metal and wax. It seems as though the scabs on your knees had belonged, just as natural as the ground that had put them there. Now only the slightly textured skin remains, a relic of the days where your sole purpose was to be. Énouement // é-noo-e-ment // noun // the bittersweetness of having arrived in the future, seeing how things turn out, but not being able to tell your past self Times have truly changed. A hint of light hits the gloss of the photographs strewn throughout your consciousness and pierces your vision with color. The smudges of fingerprints attempt to reach through to times past, to reassure that bright eyed kid, balanced on knobby knees, that it really does turn out in the end.

Pretty Imperfect By: Molly Gubbels

When I was little, I used to run the streets of my neighborhood barefoot until my feet turned a faded gray and, in most cases, began to bleed. Being an imaginative youth, I went on many a quest to fight dragons and save myself from harm before a prince had to. Of course, a t shirt and a pair of ratty old jean shorts are in no way the proper attire for a brawl. Bruises and scrapes became my battle wounds and matted hair and muddy hands became my new face of beauty. My mother absolutely loathed the days that I would track mud through our newly cleaned living room, but how else could a gladiator be expected to find the troll kingdom? As I grew up, however, bruises faded away and scars were quickly covered with a thick layer of concealer because I soon learned that imperfection was something to hide. But, I am here to tell you (yes specifically you reading this message on a fresh-printed magazine smelling “You strongly of ink) that somewhere within my short time on this earth, I've got are the finest, things mostly figured out. Don't get me wrong- this is in no way another article about how you should love loveliest, tenderest yourself no matter what because I find that to be painfully cliché. Rather, this goes out to all of you scar faced, imperfect canvases and most beautiful per- painted with beautifully ugly hues of black and blue. For so long, son I have ever known- and I believed that the pimple on the side of my nose or the small, curved scar on the under side even that is an underof my chin was something that you should feel obligated to keep hidden. What I didn't realize was statement.” - F. Scott what those things meant to me. The bulbous pimple that revealed itself on my nose on picture day Fitzgerald was a dreaded blemish and a heart breaking discovery. I broke open every last bit of makeup I had in a weak attempt to make it appear smaller. Yet, the only real memory I have of that simple little zit was naming it “Balthazar King of Acne” and laughing about it enough that my smile is the most noticeable feature in that school picture. That scar on my chin was the direct result of my getting too excited and slipping on the wet pavement of a public pool only to smash my jaw into the concrete and splash into the chlorine infested water waiting below. I cried for about an hour and a half after the fact and I almost entirely swore off swimming altogether, but something must have changed my mind. You see, I am one of the most flawed human beings I know; composed entirely of small imperfections and insecurities. The fun part about growing up, is that you get to slowly piece together who you are and what that means to you. For me, it was realizing that without my chapped lips and perpetually bruised knees, I would have absolutely no proof that I was making a name for myself. It's easy to look pristine and clean cut, but I believe wholeheartedly that the real trick is accepting your minor defects and knowing that you are a blank page being written on entirely with bloody nosed ink and dotted with pimple periods.

'I've never been the prettiest girl in the room, and that used to bother me a lot. I would come home every night and beg my mom to let me go get new makeup, clothes, shoes and anything to make me look like the other girls. it took me forever to realize that the girls i was trying to look like, felt the same way about themselves that i felt about myself. We're all a little imperfect in our own ways, but instead of trying to hide our imperfections, we should embrace them because if not we're just blank canvases in a black and white world.â&#x20AC;? - Sarah Devlin

e t o

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think in the end it's really all about how you lived, not what you looked like while doing it. LIke, you don't have forever to live, but you're given just enough time to mess up and make things right again. At the end of the day, nobody is more perfect than anyone else. we're all pretty messed up in our own special ways, you just have to find the beauty in that.â&#x20AC;? - Tim Mendick

of green on think to yourself: varied soundtrack of surreal sensation of taking a outskirts that comprise Omaha, peace of the natural world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The forest is a non-profit says 29 year old Kyle Anderson. A 3-year employee possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I grew up in the Boy Scouts, made it to Eagle all

Just the Breeze in the Trees

stories from the quiet reaches of fontenelle forest by Lily Yates

It’s summer time. The air is lush and warm; waving curtains of leaves threaten to burst and spatter hues your fingers. From underneath the thick canopy, you can only detect the occasional creeping finger of sunlight. You so this is the forest. But you wonder what instruments the trees themselves wish to play, so often overtaken by the bikes, joggers, and babies bumping along in strollers around you. Is this really what a walk through the trees means? The stroll through Fontenelle Forest is indisputable, no matter the day or time. Within the bustling city, suburbs, and various Fontenelle presents a rare haven of relative quiet, relaxation, and an invaluable opportunity to immerse oneself in the organization and has been around over 100 years. Our mission is to provide a place for people to enjoy the quiet wild,” at the forest, Kyle works as an outdoor educator, helping people to experience Fontenelle in the most enriching ways Scout, but I was also a kid who played outside all the time,” says Kyle of what spurs his interest in the job. “For virtually of the students and many of the visitors I see, this one of their first times really being in the outdoors. For me to get to be the Lorax (he spoke for the trees) is amazing,” he gushed. “I get to show new people that they don’t need fancy cell phones or WiFi; the forest is an amazing place and it’s never a rerun,” he continued. “One of my favorite experiences I ever had in the forest was a hike with the girl who is now my girlfriend. I took her there not as a date but as a friend to show her how cool I thought Fontenelle Forest was. The day came to go on the hike and… it’s a rainy fall day. But I was so excited when she said, ‘Sure. Let’s go anyway.’ So we hiked, slipping and sliding in the mud & seeing the occasional bird or squirrel dashing for cover from the rain,” Kyle remembered. “Our shoes were caked in mud and our pants were soaking wet and just as muddy, but we didn’t mind. I told her stories of other hikes in the rain and for a few hours it was just two friends having fun walking through a dripping forest.”

But this brings us back to the original question. Is there something in the forest, are there sights and sounds that one just can’t beat (even enchanted with the buzz of a summer day)? “My favorite time at the forest is right as night falls,” Kyle mused. “Many think: sun goes down- time for bed. But at the forest, a whole new shift is just waking up. The nocturnal critters begin to stir, and the moon and stars are so bright that some nights I don’t even turn my flashlight on. It’s so quiet, yet there are so many sounds: leaves in the breeze, the shuffle of a raccoon headed towards the river to get his breakfast, the occasional owl call. It’s a different world,” he intoned. “So calm, yet so alive.”

So what’s the appeal of the forest atmosphere’s seeming split personality? “I like the quiet. There are way less or no other guests, no kids on the play area, just the breeze in the trees and the occasional owl call or little animal in the brush. I get this feeling of peace, of pure relaxation, and just a connection with something that’s bigger than myself. ” “I recall one of my first night hikes that I helped lead. We were hiking in the wetlands and that’s definitely one of my favorite areas day to night to begin with,” Kyle admitted. “Only one of the hikers with us had been on a night hike before. It’s always fun to take new people out, as it’s all brand new and (hopefully) amazing. We had hiked about half way through our hour-and-a- half hike and hadn’t seen or heard much. But then: all of a sudden, a barred owl called out and then it was just ghostly silent. The look of surprise and awe on the faces of the group was pure shock; waiting to breathe. No one made a sound, and again the same owl called out. But this time it got a response call from another owl behind us, then another to the left and the right until 5 or so owls were calling to each other, back and forth, and we were right in the middle of it. As we began to move again, one of the owls left its perch and flew silently right over our heads. It was just a great treat for all of us to get the chance to hear and see owls like that. ”

“...A connection with something bigger than myself.”

As for the stark differences in conditions and climate between day and nighttime, “One: you can’t see. Humans’ eyes work differently at night than during the day. On the one hand there are tons of vivid colors, whereas at night it’s all a grayscale. The longer you stay in the dark the more you will see, but in black and white. It’s also much cooler in temperature. The sun goes down and the temperature goes down with it. As you can imagine, on hot summer days this is very welcome,” he finished. “Nature is not a thing that can be explained or looked at on a screen or in a book, but... it must be felt and experienced. These cosmic feelings have to be felt in the forest itself, not just at a desk looking at a screen. What can I say? The forest is a wonderful place; words cannot describe it, you just really have to experience it,” Kyle continued. “We all just sincerely love to enjoy nature and to be able to be the educator that shows people the outdoors for the first time. It’s a great job to get to show many img credit kyle anderson: p9-10 spread who may have been on some level afraid of the forbottom triangle; est that it is a very peaceful place to just let go of p9 bottom right; p10 top middle; p11 Headshot the busy business world and see the real earth.” And so, the mood of the forest changes; whether it be from day to dusk or from the musky, hot verdance of summer to the brittle bones of oak branches in the winter. As does the forest change; so does the earth, reveling especially in its most serene niches yet largely undiscovered. While we all may, sometimes, be caught up in the skyscrapers (physical or otherwise) and blurry fog which we encounter, we might hold on to one comfort. The grass; the leaves, persevering, invite the humans whom they have watched grow for so long to join in their change, and thus, the blissful grace accompanying.

Fizzling Supernovas

Bath Bombs incite exploding visions of color AND delight

By: Gabby Giesler

Intricate, swirling patterns of vivid color and dimension enclosed in a tub of rushing warm water. Bath bombs have recently become a means of expression for artists of all types. However: this form of art doesn’t require paintbrushes, or skill at all, really. Simply dropping a bath bomb into the tub has fizzled up into a trend dubbed as “Bath Art.” And indeed, art it is - these explosions create a new portrait each time, and no two baths are the same. Lush Cosmetics, notorious for their original bath bomb recipes, has hit the ball out of the stadium with the spark of bath art, and is the inspiration for all of the following.

Heavy gold glitter sparkles throughout a bath worthy enough for the first man on the moon. Intergalactic is a masterpiece like no other with peppermint, vetivert and cedarwood combined with an array of blues, greens, and pinks. This bathing experience combines a refreshing scent with exemplary colors to bring a stellar picture for all to admire.

Intergalactic

Shoot for the Stars A surprise, certainly, Shoot for the Stars appears to be something of a pastel blue and yellow starry night sky, then transforms into a deep purple twilight. This honey bath depicts a true shooting star, bright for a moment, and then forever fleeing into dusk.

Yog Nog

A warm, toffee scented aroma brings the sweetness of Yog Nog to a neon yellow bathtub dressed to impress. Encircling a luxurious bath melt inside, this yellow fizzer could light the night sky up to infinity.

A silvery show of glitter combined with fluffy purple licorice clouds births the best of both worlds: Bar Humbug, a bubble bar that bursts with color like a bomb, but delivers the bubbles of a bar. Combined with Starlight bath bomb, these two intertwine for a bubbling good time.

Bar Humbug Emeralds in Orbit is a rosy, lavender bomb recipe composed of ingredients found right in the pantry, and works just as well as the Lush Cosmetics versions. To make your own, you will need the following: 1 cup of baking soda 1/2 cup of citric acid 1/2 cup of Epsom salts 2 tsp essential oil ( Rose and lavender) Food coloring 3 tsps coconut oil A spray bottle of witch hazel A bowl A whisk A mold (plastic ornament that can be divided in half)

Emeralds in Orbit 1. Combine all dry ingredients in the bowl and sift together evenly with a whisk. 2. Slowly add the essential oils into the dry mixture and constantly stir with the whisk. Add food coloring drop by drop until desired color is reached. 3. Add the melted coconut oil and keep stirring. The wet ingredients will begin to react with the citric acid. We do not want this, so stir constantly. 4. Spray witch hazel while stirring until the mixture is similar to wet sand. 5. Form into the molds and seal shut - let sit for 20 min. 6. Remove bombs from mold and place on lined baking sheet. 7. Let sit for 24 hours and they are ready to use! 14

2,380 Miles connecting across the world By: Kayley Anderson

t he world is remarkably small in comparison to the rest of the

universe. Yet, for some reason, we humans rationalize it as a big, all-encompassing entity. Perhaps this is due to the simple fact that we as people each occupy our own little “world” independent of at least 75 percent of the rest of the world’s population. Sometimes, though, it becomes necessary to branch out from this narrow worldview to a more universal state of mind. Skutt Catholic has long fostered its “Make a Difference” motto, inspiring its students to go the distance to make a positive change through things like volunteering and advancing in fields in need. Annual service trips have been taken to places like the Rosebud Indian Reservation, and even as far as Haiti. Another way Skutt Catholic branches out from its small world is by partnering with its sister school, the Diana Ortiz Parish School in Guatemala. The money raised through events such as the Winter Formal dance and some charity dress days goes straight toward helping the kids in this school. Most students in Guatemala have to drop out early on and don’t end up getting the education that they could use to help them get out of poverty. Girls have an especially high dropout rate, so some of the money raised is used to help keep these girls in school and even pay for a university education so that they can later return and educate the younger children of their own community. However, even if these children can stay in school, they often don’t have enough of the typical resources that we have here. Things like maps, pencils, and paper are sometimes hard or even impossible to find. By giving of ourselves on these few donation days, we help to make a real difference in the lives of others, even though they’re almost 2,380 miles away. This creates a community that’s more than just our little corner of the universe.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our sister school program is built on the idea

of solidarity. We are not just here to give them money and repair the broken walls, we are committed to bettering each other through prayer and faith.â&#x20AC;? - Mrs. Twist 17

All photos taken and used with permission from Rachel Twist

Do Space

the first technology library of its kind By: Allison Heithoff

3D Lab

The green machine above is a laser cutter that can cut, engrave, and etch wood, glass, acrylic, and other materials. The other two are 3D printers, the one on the left being much more advanced and capable of printing larger objects like prosthetics.

This shelf displays the visions of various people that were brought to life using the 3D printers and laser cutters above.

Membership includes access to more than 50 PCs and Macs and over 60 laptops equipted with the latest software. Advanced software includes Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, PremierePro, and more), AutoCAD and SketchUp Pro.

Technology in our world is inescabable, even in some ways comparable to a black hole. Yet, at the same time it can seem as distant and unreachable as space, especially when it comes to state-of-the art computers, machines, and software that many of us never dream of comprehending. Do Space, a revolutionary technology library aiming to fix this problem, provides the latest technology of our generation, in one place, for free. While located right here in Omaha at 7205 Dodge Street, it has gained national attention from Good Morning America and CNN. People from around the country and even as far as Germany have traveled through Omaha to see it.

Computers

Why? Do Space is the only building of its kind in the nation, setting the standard for a future of libraries as places where technology is accessible. It provides the free use of desktops, laptops, tablets, and one-on-one technology assistance with a membership card, which functions just like a library card does for books. The only cost for the 3D printers and laser cutters is the material you use for the machines. Thinking about a certain career path? There is a wide range of job skill classes and programs for people of all ages. The opportunities are endless and space is the limit. Adequate seating and work space makes for a perfect study environment.

Teen Room

One large display made up of four indivual screens and an array of controllers make for a gamerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream experience.

DEFINING YOUR SPACE By: Hannah Klemme

It’s kind of odd to say that an area encapsulated by four walls can say so much about a person. A bedroom is much more than the place where we routinely begin and conclude each day. It’s the place where people can unapologetically express themselves and escape the judgement of the outside world. It’s a personal museum of collected mementos where our most valuable possessions are kept inside drawers and mounted on shelves. A bedroom caters to one’s identity and allows them to have a creative outlet that they might not even be aware of. Personal space is just one of those assets of life that keep us sane, and most importantly, keep us connected to ourselves. Here are a few examples of Skutt Catholic students and their take on selfexpression in their territory.

Emma Brisbois

-Freshman“Music is a huge part of my life, and the more I surround myself with it, the more I feel at home. Music makes everything feel safer, like a bedroom is a safe place. Music makes it feel even safer.”

JENN HOODY

-Seniorâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I like my room because it has a beachy and calming vibe. I have always dreamed to live in California and be able to go to the beach whenever I want, so my room is like my way to have my own little escape.â&#x20AC;?

Renee mergens

-Junior“My room has never been “finished” or had a real theme for decoration, except for the randomly placed photos, notes, letters, and drawings I’ve collected over time. Whenever I need a reminder of what really matters to me, I just look up at my wall.”

In Orbit

retired astronaut sam gemar recalls experience in space By Ava Dreessen

“10, 9, 8,” I looked to my left, and my crewmembers were strapped in like I was. To my right, the same. “7, 6,” The engines came to speed in an explosion of sound that erupted in an instant and vibrated throughout the shuttle. I thought about my years of training, how I’d been leading to this very moment throughout my life, how the simulators reenacted this event with perfect imitation, the only difference being the view out of the window. “5, 4,” Out of the window, I could see nothing but sky, the endless void I was about to travel into. The vibration continued with accelerated force. Soon, the only thing I could hear was blaring of the engine, it was almost louder than the own thoughts in my head. “3, 2,” I thought about my wife, my kids, and the people I was about to leave behind for the next few weeks. How much I’m going to miss seeing their faces, the possibility of me never being able to return to them. But I promised them I’d be back for them. I promised myself the same. “1.”

Charles D. (Sam) Gemar is a former NASA astronaut born and raised in southern South Dakota. He graduated from high school in 1973, and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in the U.S. Military Academy in 1979. In 1985, he was selected by NASA to attend a two-year training and evaluation program to become an astronaut. “Once selected for a mission,” Gemar explained, “You’ve already gone through two years of prerequisite training as an astronaut candidate. Then, of course, you’re eligible for a mission. Once you’re selected for a mission, then we’re going to start mission specific payload training. And then we’ll spend a lot of our time in orbital systems and simulators. The pilot, commander, and lead flight engineer will end up spending 800 hours in the simulator practicing many different operations, and then the rest of the crew joins them as it is appropriate,” he continued. Since then, he has been on three missions and has logged over 580 hours in space. He now spends a lot of his time speaking at events, many of which are held at The Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida. Within his missions, he has flown on STS-38 Atlantis to conduct Department of Defense operations, STS-48 Discovery to deploy the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), and STS-62 Columbia to conduct experiments in many scientific and engineering disciplines, including material science, human physiology, biotechnology, robotics, and others. “Seven seconds before lift-off is when those engines come to speed. And then the whole spacecraft is going to start to vibrate and then you’re going to hear and feel those engines come up to speed, and you’re going to rock slightly, and when it comes back top dead center the solid rocket boosters fire and you’re in lift-off with nearly 6.5 million pounds of thrust at once. There’s a lot of vibration and a lot of noise and it’s a very rough ride trying to get out of the atmosphere. It makes everything difficult, just to move your head and your arms, its like trying to lift your head with a thirty-pound weight attached to it. But once you’re out of the atmosphere, of course, it’s going to smooth right out. Once the main engines shut off, the ascent is 8 minutes, 45 seconds long and the spacecraft is now flying at 26,000 ft. per second, and to put that into perspective,

it would be for every time your heart beats, you’re traveling five miles. So at the end of that eight-forty five, you’re going to go from 3G gravity to 0G, and you start to float freely, and at that point, we’re going to unbuckle our seatbelt and the crew is going to start to get the spacecraft ready for suborbital operations.” Gemar was, and still is, extremely passionate for the job he had, and the experiences that came along with it. “My best experience is just watching the world go by. Just continent after continent after continent fade in the distance. We come in around San Francisco Bay, and then you cross Lake Tahoe, and Denver, and exit over the Chesapeake Bay. And you see everything because you’re moving at 15 degrees each longitude for every orbit,” Gemar stated, “Seeing the world from out there is awe- inspiring and impressive, and I wasn’t prepared for how insignificant you seem from out there seeing how little we are compared to everything. Regardless of how accomplished you think you’re life is, from space, you can’t help but take on this feeling of such insignificance, and that’s one of the emotions I wasn’t prepared for.” While the occupation of a space explorer seems all prettied up on the outside, there are still many difficult anomalies to have to struggle with along the way, from bathroom procedures while under the effects of zero gravity, to life-threatening situations. “There are always a few minor anomalies while in orbit, but one in particular was particularly alarming. I remember the first night in orbit my crew and me woke up to sirens blaring and master alarms flashing, and you could hear the sound of air rushing within the shuttle. There was an alarm with pressure issues going off which either meant that there was a leaking, and air was rushing out of the spacecraft, or there was high pressure air seeping into the spacecraft.” Gemar and his crew soon figured out that the issue wasn’t as life threatening as the alarms called for, as the spacecraft was merely resetting its pressure from lift-off.

Along with the minor problems of pressure control in a space shuttle, there’s also many that help us to appreciate gravity more and more: bathroom procedures. “Well, there’s two problems to every person and that’s the number one problem, and then the number two problem,” Gemar said with a chuckle, “For the number one problem, we have a waste containment station on the ship, a little more different than what we have on airplanes. And inside, there are switches for air fall and we strap our foot and thing restraints on behind a hose with a funnel attached. Now, there are both little girl and little boy funnels, and based on your preference you go into the respective funnel. The liquid waste is then contained in a tank and soon emptied into space.” Now, as simple as that may seem, the more difficult procedure is that of the fated number two. “Well, of course it’s a much bigger problem, because we’re aiming for a four inch target, versus the 15 inch target at home. NASA has a positioning training device that we use. And of course they have lights and cameras and a monitor you can look at to see how you’re doing. And once you’re satisfied with your positioning, you’re going to open up this valve and take care of your business. But remember, this is space, and there will be no gravity assist here, so that’s where you have to perfect that shake and the airflow will pull that solid waste into the tank. And then we’re going to close that valve back up and take care of the paper work.” Space cuisine isn’t nearly limited to the “Space Ice Cream” bought at your local space museum, although most of it must be either sticky, or freeze-dried. Many different meals can be brought on the expedition, though they must travel in vacuum-sealed packages. “Most of it’s dehydrated and you can add water and warm it up, and our water comes in a foil package with a straw with a clip on it, so if any liquid escapes, then that droplet of water has to either be sucked from the air or cleaned up with a towel,” Gemar explains.

Being able to travel in space, and have the opportunity to see our world from an outside perspective, has its negatives. The main one being space-hangovers. While under the affects of zero gravity, your muscles are rarely in use. The problem with this is that once you come back home, these muscles are forced to be in use once again, causing muscle aches, nausea, and other physical issues. “It could take from two days to two months for muscles to be back in function,” Gemar stated, “You wake up with pains from your muscles being at rest for such a long time. Even being there for two weeks caused a lot of problems once I came back home.” I met Sam Gemar while attending one of the “Lunch with an Astronaut” events held at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, FL. He spoke about many topics concerning his experiences, and showed his audience what it meant to be a space explorer. It was an honor being able to interview such an experienced person for this article. He was so passionate with his reflecting back on his adventures, and he has a lot of high hopes for our future generation in carrying on a legacy that many people, including him, has set for us. During the interview, he asked me to pass this message along to our future readers as his closing message: “I often like to speak about what I call ‘guide stars’. Guide stars are things that guide us, whether its morals, passions, goals, and you need to know what those are. If you have a set of morals that direct you, then any road will get you to the future. You must know who you are, and set goals for yourself, and those are what I call guide stars. From time to time, the storms are going brew, and the clouds are going to darken, and you wont see them, but you know they’re there. If you’re patient enough to let the clouds part and let the sky clear, you’ll be able to look back at the night sky and see those guide stars, the things that give your life direction. The difference between the dreamers and those who actually accomplish their goal is simply the plan in between, and those guide stars are going to take you there.”

Astral Anthems By: Tom Hermanek

Space has intuigued humankind for centuries. In fact, millions of dollars are spent each year by governments on space exploration. The quantity of resources devoted to exploring the great unknown is enormous. Space interests mankind because it is unknown. For example, as children, we dreamed of exploring the universe as astronauts. Since, unfortunately, this dream will never become reality for all but a handful of people, we feed our desire to exlplore the solar system through books, movies, even music about space. This playlist features tracks from Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Twenty One Pilots and many others that explore the feeling that space gives us.

Dreaming // Smallpools The end of all things // Panic! AT The Disco

Space oddity // david bowie

Anna Sun // Walk the moon

Ode to Sleep // Twenty one pilots

nighttiming // Coconut Records

full moon // the black ghosts

Magnets // Disclosure

Rocket MAn // Elton John Electric love // Borns

What a wonderful world // Louie Armstrong Across the universe // the beatles fly me to the moon // Frank SInatra Supermassive Black HOle // Muse A world alone // lorde

Heat Lightning // icky blossoms your hand in mine // explosions in the sun polarize // twenty one pilots bridge burn // little comets Soon my friend // M83

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...who is capable of placing a boundary between reality and the imagined?â&#x20AC;?

“There is a certain beauty in the desertion of fact.”

“Technology sound proofed; humanity silenced.”

Constructed Confinement By: Sara Zaleski

We live in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship. -C.S. Lewis

Although these words are not meant to inject fear into your heart, the idea of solitude in a contemporary society of mass population is complicated. While social media does its best to open our minds to the world, it has its limitations. Looking back throughout all of history presents evidence. The records that scholars saved through the sorcery of ink and parchment are just that, records, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A thing constituting a piece of evidence about the past, especially an account of an act or occurrence kept in writing or some other permanent form.â&#x20AC;? These experiences, despite the isolation endured during some, were shared between humans in some way; multiple consciences can attest to the existence of these moments. But, the human experience is more than an exterior communication. Though very few people will ever undergo complete social isolation, these minute occurrences play a definitive role in the formation of individuals. They will never be factually noted in history, because without witnesses there is no way to prove that these happenings ever happened. In an empty space, void of all but a single human life, does anyone know what actually takes place? Without any visual or audio records, who is capable of placing a boundary between reality and the imagined? As vibrations spill from our lips, there are no ear drums to echo their rhythms.

Humans built great towers and vast cities, converging pockets of the population into sections of the planet in the pursuit of survival. Yet, these same hands placed cement blocks in rows and columns. These rows and columns became walls. These walls became more than barriers from the elements, they became barriers from social interaction. Technology sound proofed; humanity silenced. This teetering on the intersection of the real and the dreamt is far from a new evolution in the bloodstream of mankind, but the idea of it has been long neglected. There should be an appreciation, and an acknowledgment, of these hushed breaths. There is a certain beauty in the desertion of fact.

Astrophobia: The Fear of Space By: Maria Miller

Earth

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Universe brought everything into Existence, and it could just as easily destroy all of us in an instant.â&#x20AC;?

720 students at Skutt Catholic, 434,353 residents of Omaha, 1.882 million people in Nebraska, 318.9 million in the United States, 7 billion human beings residing on a single planet. Minuscule in comparison to its ever expanding environment, I’m on its surface, stuck somewhere in between, trying hopelessly to find my place in this mess. As a species, human beings are always pushing themselves to find a notch in this world that they can call their own, and to leave an imprint of where they once stood. We set records, then break them. We make, in a last minute attempt to feel remembered, handprints in wet cement that will ultimately crumble with the rest of the earth. Some of us even take the courageous leap to venture off of this planet and make a mark on different ones. There was no real reason for going to the moon except to say, ‘Hey look what we can do.’ It created an interplanetary billboard that reads ‘We are here.’ Space itself is a wonderful escape from reality for some, whether they get to venture into its depths for real or simply enjoy science fiction. But, for a smaller part of the earth’s population space is not an exciting new adventure; it is a constant reminder of how insignificant we truly are. If we are one of the 7 billion beings that inhabit our planet, that makes us small enough to induce an anxiety attack. Then, when we look up at our sun, a medium sized star that our entire solar system revolves around, it is 1,300,000 times bigger than earth. That is 9.1X1015 people. The sun is one of 200 billion stars with their own planets orbiting them in The Milky Way Galaxy. The Milky Way is inside of The Virgo Supercluster which contains over 1,000 other galaxies. Next, we come across our entire observable universe, billions upon billions of light years in diameter. It is incredibly, inconceivably vast, but the universe itself is ever-expanding. As soon as it reaches the end of its previously set ‘limit,’ it expands the boundaries and continues to grow. Galaxies, stars, and planets are being eternally fabricated in an infinite way; all this, while we are doomed to the finite. Humans have a minuscule and delicate timeframe where we are expected to make something last beyond ourselves. Skutt Catholic junior Becky Snowden explains her experience of this dysphoria with the human condition.

“We just burn out. Eventually, all of us, all of the things we’ve done and created in an attempt to make an impact on this earth and in this universe, will be gone.” Even if we are one of the lucky few whose names mark every history book, our purpose only extends to the edge of the human existence. If in a million years the human race is extinct, no one will be around to remember Neil Armstrong, Leonardo da Vinci, Joan of Arc, or Ghandi. All of records kept of the most influential people are perishable; what does that make us? As I stand right now, outside of my close circle of acquaintances, I’m expendable. We are expendable.

“I am literally nothing to the grand scheme of time and space, that 7 billion people, a quantity I still can't grasp, are all just specks of dust clutching to a hunk of rock flying through space.” In a fatal attempt to feel important in our existence, we grasp at labels: scrambling for a sense of belonging. Because safety, in this sense, is not in bigger numbers. We need to shrink down space and numbers in our head to make ourselves feel like significant figures. We need to turn light years into miles, planets into countries into states, states into cities, and morph cities to find a community. Even if it’s a delusion that falls apart during astronomy class.

“The size of the universe is infinite and somehow it's still managing to spread out, like a spilled glass of water with no boundaries.”

Artwork by: Alyssa Schmitt

Boundless a showcaseBy:of Student Artwork Nessa Woosley

Artwork by: Alexa Fenn

An excerpt from “Snapshot” By: Rebecca Snowden Did you know That we are specks of dust In comparison to the world The world a speck To the galaxy The galaxy a speck To the universe To the universe we are nothing It’s almost as if we live in a terrarium A diorama of what lies beyond Specks of dirt here A few twig trees there Cotton ball clouds Hang from strings up above us We are so small I have to admit, I have never found comfort in existentialism. I have always wanted To make an impact Be heard Make a lasting impression in history Instead of my footprints washing away in the sand Let my name ring out for centuries to come Put me down in the history books

Or at least make something from my own two hands that will Stand vigil for me That will tell the world “This person was here!” I was alive Remember my name I don’t want people to think I’m just One of the unnumbered dead When I go Let me have meaning In my world So that one day When we do spread out against the dark pinpricked night When we find ourselves touching down on not-Earths that circle not-Suns in the not-Milky ways, I can be there I can be throughout the universe And the universe will have to notice me But it won’t care Because even if I manage to have my memory My life and times stretched thin as paper across the blackness And the emptiness I will still be just a memory shared by thousands of specks

An excerpt from “Light” By: Hope Stratman At its core, the sun can reach over 27 million degrees The sunshine that is in every living person is our proof that fahrenheit. It is continuously reacting, nuclear fusion humanity is divine, that it is celestial. Mankind is the most creates light and heat, so much light that it floods the sacred gift ever given to this world. solar system, 386 billion megawatts of glorious brilliance. We know that one day, the sun will swallow the earth. I see vibrant yellows and whites streaming out of the souls After all of its hydrogen has been used up, it will continue of every being I’ve known. Musical light crescendos from to produce light for 130 million more years, burning helium. the centers of hearts and out into the earth. So much light The sun will expand, devouring mercury, absorbing venus, that it breaks through the suffocating confines of marrow and, eventually, gobbling our earth. The planet we live on and cell to intertwine with the blaze of others. The world will be engulfed by heat, by gas, and by the light that has is filled with it. The earth is illumined with the glowing sustained life since the first bacterium formed. torches if its inhabitants. But we don’t need the sun. The earth can be drenched in The quiet girl in my theology class doesn’t even know what light long before that day comes. We are cosmic phenomkind of brilliance she exudes. Sure, she doesn’t talk much, enons encased in heaps of flesh and bone. Bulbs wrapped but the sweet gentleness of her nature wraps everyone in a sheer coating. Do not snuff out the brilliance inside of she knows in warm rays of love. Then there’s that boy in you. Let it stream from your being, feel the incandescence theatre who almost bursts any room he’s in with the pure that dances from you. joy of his laugh. It’s like his being was created for brightening. Many don’t even know that the world is ablaze, much Illuminate the world. less that they’re the cause.

Artwork by: Emily Baratta

SPACE & FILM The exploration of ourselves, through space, in film By: James Keeley

When I look up to the sky on a crisp winter night, it’s hard to escape the persistent feeling of how small I am. Space is infinitely huge and that, in and of itself, is incredibly hard to fathom. Across generations, the human race has always looked to the sky in wonder, and even now when we understand (to some degree) what might be out there, the same wonder remains. What has changed now, however, is the way in which we might express this wonder. From poetry came literature and next, from literature, came film. Film has allowed our modern cul-

ture to express itself in ways never before possible, and one of the channels used to convey this is the topic of outer space. The endless, dark mystery that is space provides a background for filmmakers to turn back around and examine the dark mysteries within themselves or within the society they live in, while at the same time providing entertainment. It did not take long after the creation of the film-camera for filmmakers to turn to the stars. The best example of an early-space centered film?

Le Voyage Dans La Lune The original archetype of science fiction films

A Trip to the Moon, or its French title: Le Voyage dans la Lune, is a French silent film from 1902. It was directed by Georges Méliès and features an ensemble cast of French theatricals lead by Méliès. The plot of the film follows a group of astronomers who (surprise) take a trip to the moon. The film is also a heavy satire directed toward the conservative scientific community and pushes an anti-imperialist agenda. The astronomers in the film end up claiming the moon for their country, despite the presence of intelligent selenites that already inhabit it. They kill the King of the moon people ( in a very theatrical fashion) and are celebrated as heroes when they manage to return to Earth. Director Méliès

pioneered special effects in film pretty much singlehandedly; before A Trip to the Moon, almost all films were simple footage of city life. Méliès flipped the tables completely with this film, and it became insanely popular. The film was pirated across the United States, and copycat films popped up wherever there were movie theaters available. The people of the time knew the exciting space stories of Jules Vernes and H.G. Wells, but they had never seen them so clearly before. A Trip to the Moon manages to be one of the earliest examples of satire in film, while at the same time pioneering the science fiction genre.

2001: A Space Odyssey Stanley kubrick's monumental exploration of the human condition Fast forward sixty-six years to 1968, and

the world. This is reflected in the film by HAL,

Stanley Kubrick’s epic 2001: A Space Odys-

a seemingly helpful piece of technology. Logic

sey hits the silver screen. This screenplay,

and rationality are the tools it uses to guide

written mostly by Arthur C. Clarke, follows a

the spaceship to Jupiter and solve any prob-

space voyage to Jupiter in order to search for

lems along the way, and, in turn, are the same

a monolith: a mysterious object able to dramatically speed evolution. The

tools HAL uses to rationalize that killing the astronauts will ensure a safer

film follows themes of human

journey. This sentient computer

development and the perils of

was a terrifying example of

technology, both things be-

what the future may have been,

ing questioned by the general

or even may be. Clarke kept a

public at the time of the film’s release. The ship that the crew travels

diary throughout the production of 2001; in it, he wrote how Kubrick

on is piloted by a self-aware computer named

had once said he wanted to make a film about

HAL 9000. At the time of release, the United

“man’s relationship to the universe.” Kubrick

States and the U.S.S.R. were in the midst of the

used the medium of outer space to exemplify

great space race; the atmosphere was tense

the more subtle existential questions asked by

as technology threatened to destroy life across

the film.

Zodiac: Fact or Fiction? the history of horoscopes Disclaimer: belief in horoscopes is against the teachings of the Catholic Church, and it is not endorsed by this article, the Flightline, or Skutt Catholic. This article is purely informative, and isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meant to express or condone religious beliefs. By: Allison Young Whether they be painstakingly written on an ancient scroll or

quickly typed up in a tweet, horoscopes have been prevalent in culture around the world for thousands of years. Throughout history, humankind has used horoscopes and zodiac signs as a form of fun and entertainment.

The word zodiac is derived from the Greek word meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;circle of animals,â&#x20AC;? and was supposedly developed in ancient Egypt. Early astrologers identified that it took twelve months, or lunar cycles, for the sun to return to its original position. They then observed twelve constellations that were linked to the progression of the seasons and named them based on certain animals or people.

Stars crashed onto planets with their own houses, each arising as humans with their own powerful star stone, or talisman. These mortal guardians were in charge of harnessing their powers and protecting their planets and people. One day, Opiuchus became restless and longed for the power of immortality he had given up to protect the human settlers. He decided to explore his power of unity, believing it would lead him to everlasting happiness. The other twelve disapproved of his ambition and asked him to step down as guardian, but Opiuchus refused. His talisman was soon stolen by a thief, and he received a message from someone unknown claiming to have his talisman. Naturally, Opiuchus agreed to meet this anonymous person to return the stone to its rightful owner. However, when Opiuchus arrived to their agreed meeting place, he stepped into a trap and began to disappear, bringing the thirteenth house along with him.

The study of zodiac signs and horoscopes has been passed down for centuries and is still prevalent in society today. The legends and constellations that accompany the topic have made it a popular pasttime for many.

For example, the Babylonian rainy season occurred when the sun was in a constellation that they named Aquarius, or water bearer. They believe these twelve signs relate to character traits and areas of life. The zodiac signs are divided into four groups: the fire signs (Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo), the water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces), the air signs (Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini), and the earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo). Each of these groups is divided into its own quadrant on a circle, or a horoscope. A horoscope is map of the zodiacal circle with Earth at the center and the sun at its highest point at the very top. Your specific horoscope charts the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and constellations at the time of your birth. Though the standard belief is that there are twelve different zodiac signs, there has recently been a discovery of one more. NASA has discovered of the thirteenth sign, Opiuchus, which brings with it a story. Legend has it that thirteen Guardian

Zodiac Constellations

Aquarius

Capricorn

Cancer

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Leo Gemini

Aries

Taurus

Pisces

Celebrity Zodiac Signs Aries: Lady Gaga & Pharrell Williams Taurus: Adele & Dwayne Johnson Gemini: Angelina Jolie & Kanye West Cancer: Ariana Grande & Kevin Hart Leo: Jennifer Lawrence & Daniel Radcliffe Virgo: BeyoncĂŠ & Nick Jonas Libra: Kate Winslet & Bruno Mars Scorpio: Katy Perry & Leonardo DiCaprio Sagittarius: Vanessa Hudgens & Jay Z Capricorn: Kate Middleton & Zayn Malik Aquarius: Ellen Degeneres & Harry Styles Pisces: Rihanna & Justin Bieber

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Taurus people are stereotypically materialistic, stubborn, and overly cautious. They are said to have a complicated relationship with money and possessions, and are creative people.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Cancers are stereotypically anxious, passive aggressive, and caring. Their leadership style involves channeling their intuition and clairvoyance. They are also typically nostalgic and feel deeply for their childhood. Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Virgos are stereotypically hard working, modest, and organized. They have critical minds and a certain health consciousness, as well as exuding an independent charm. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Aquarius people are stereotypically people watchers, eccentric, and highly impersonal. They observe discrete mannerisms of people and do better in large groups than one on one conversation.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Aries are stereotypically naive, impulsive, and instructive. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to second guess themselves and are always moving fast, living life with fresh and new views of the world. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Geminis are stereotypically changeable, flaky, and have poor memory. They prefer to learn a little bit of everything and keep life light, communicating well with others and emanating a restless energy. Leo (July 23 - August 22) Leos are stereotypically attention seeking, dignified, and good leadership. Their self confidence is contagious, and others feel important around them. They strongly believe in bravery and heroism and commend others for their strength. Libra (September 23 - October 22) Libras are stereotypically known for their love of beauty, justice seeking, and harmonious. They typically only see the surface of things, but not necessarily in a superficial way. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Scorpios are stereotypically intense, possessive, determined. They are always ready to defend themselves, and are seen as mysterious and untrustworthy. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) Capricorns are stereotypically set in their ways, ambitious, and cynical. They have a reputation for being boring, but in all reality they are usually just hard workers who believe there are no shortcuts. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) People born under Sagittarius are stereotypically sarcastic, unrealistically optimistic, and philosophical. They have a certain trust with the universe, and often daydream, metaphysically opening possibilities. Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Pisces are stereotypically known as spacey, easily amused, and imaginative., yet they are very wise. Pisces have fantastic imaginations and often daydream.

30 100 200 300

Space; the most ominous and mysterious place known to man. The idea of an infinitely expanding universe does no less than perplexes the human mind. Even after our extensive studies of the universe, we still lack endless amounts of knowledge about the place our planet resides in. We have speculated about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out there, but never actually know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out in the sky we look at every night. Our knowledge of the night sky has been ever changing since the dawn of man. The first known solar and lunar calendars date back to early as 2,000 B.C., in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Other than observing stars and planets, there are not breakthroughs in astrology. Quite some time later, around 1054 A.D., Chinese astronomers observe a supernova in Taurus. Then the first observatory was constructed in Medieval Islam, and was later shut down after the patron was accused of several crimes, including communication with Saturn and was sentenced to death. Following somewhat shortly after, in 1543 A.D., Copernicus presents the idea of a heliocentric theory, and later being continued by Galileo. Some of the most early renditions of our plot of the solar system claimed that our earth was the center. Anyone that thought otherwise would be executed; therefore this idea was strongly withheld for quite some time. Galileo was the first one to not be completely obliterated by the church for presenting the idea that the sun was the center. Instead of killing him, they locked him in his house for 8 years. Over that period, he wrote extensively, but once they discovered this, but the church proceeded to burn all of the information, so we will never know what he could have discovered. We are still studying what is outside of our solar system today; although honestly we have only brushed the surface of the vastness we call the universe.

Into the Void the expanding knowledge of our universe By Peter Quinn

Timeline

2000 B.C. First solar and lunar eclipse are observed

1609 A.D. Kepler writes his planetary motion laws, still in use today

1543 A.D. copernicus presents the idea of a heliocentric solar system

1966 A.D. the russian spacecraft, luna 9, became the first spacecraft to land on the moon

1957 A.D. The soviet union launched the first satellite, sputnik, into space

1969 A.D. neil armstrong and â&#x20AC;&#x153;buzzâ&#x20AC;? aldrin became the first men on the moon

Cosmic Culinary Creations Sam Wiegand by:

The term cosmic has as many meanings as there stars in the sky, so: a lot. Most of the basic thoughts when the word “cosmic” is heard will usually involve space, stars, or can even edge toward deeper thoughts about one’s self. Although, there is one other thought that comes to just about everyone who had any sort of “good” childhood: Cosmic Brownies. Did you really think we could get through an entire issue titled “Cosmic” without even mentioning Cosmic Brownies? How about two entire, delicious pages dedicated to Little Debbie’s greatest delicacies? From sketchy shakes to mouthwatering brownie pops, we present everything-Cosmic-Brownies.

HOMEMADE COSMIC BROWNIES

Normal Cosmic Brownies always taste absolutely phenomenal, that’s a given. Now imagine being able to make your own; better yet, imagine being able to make them taste even better than normal! The first recipe will give us a single batch of Cosmic Brownies made completely from scratch. Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3/4 unsweetened natural cocoa powder 3/4 cup flour 3/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 cup mini M&Ms

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9x9 pan with foil, spray with nonstick spray. Melt butter in bowl for 1-2 minutes. Whisk in sugars, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth. Add flour gradually. Spread batter in pan, bake for 25-30 minutes, then let cool. Heat heavy cream in medium saucepan, add chocolate chips and stir. Pour newly made ganache over brownies. Sprinkle M&Ms. Cool. ENJOY!

COSMIC BROWNIE POPS Being able to make your own Cosmic Brownies is a skill worth bragging about to be sure, but making one of the most delectable desserts even better is almost absurd. However, being absurd is exactly what Cosmic Brownie pops are all about. ngredients: 1 box Cosmic Brownies 1 bag chocolate candy melts (almond bark works as well) mini M&Ms lollipop sticks

Instructions: Open each package of Cosmic Brownies and split each brownie in half. Squish each brownie into a ball. Place balls on wax sheet, stick into fridge to chill. Melt candy melts in the microwave based on instructions given. Dip 1/4 inch of a stick into chocolate, then insert it halfway into a ball. Dip ball into chocolatethen add M&Ms. ENJOY!

COSMIC BROWNIE SHAKES In terms of actually being a recipe, this one is a bit different. While, sure, you could easily use a blender and make it from scratch, it’s much more fun (and easier) to have someone else help you out. Cosmic Brownie Shakes: created by Sonic and some smooth talk. Ingredients: 1 Sonic Drive-In 2 packages Cosmic Brownies $3-$7 ability to smooth talk extra $10 for bribery

Instructions: First, make your way to your friendly neighborhood Sonic Drive-in. Next: press the call button. Begin to talk to the Sonic worker as if they are your good friend (easy does it). Ask them if it’s okay to blend your Cosmic Brownie into your shake. If they don’t say yes, offer a bit of bribery. I recommend a Caramel Brownie Blast; just replace that brownie with a cosmic one. ENJOY! 44

From the sketchbook of...

ANNA CAPOUn