volume 3, issue 2 skutt catholic flightline
quin tess ence
the sense issue
c o n t r i b u t o r s
lily yates: quintessence ed.
natalie pearson
zoe clark
maria koliopoulos: graphics ed.
maddie mollner
andrew mize
sam klemme
hope stratman
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FROM THE EDITOR t’s been a long wait, but the second issue of the year is here at last. Between these pages, our staff has brought to life a catalogue of the human experience, just as we live our lives: through the five senses. With every late night and every brainstorming session, we have grown in leaps and bounds, and it shows throughout an issue dedicated to feeling - wellfeelings to their very fullest. It’s easy to flip through the pages of a magazine, but with the Sense issue, we hope you experience much more.
tom hermanek: managing ed. nathan fletcher
clara pohlman
colin fullinfaw
alaina anderson
maria miller: flightline ed.
emma brisbois
student
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hroughout the issue, you’ll find scattered seven lively paintings like this one. The artists, all members of Mrs. Eck’s eighth period art class, include Juliana Drzaic, Aleia Frazell, Rachel Fuelberth, Benjamin Letak, Giulianna Lonie, Sage Maleki, Christian Mancilla, and Mary Kate Orr. Each was given a blank canvas and one instruction: to paint what the music demanded. After half an hour of painting along with a vivid set of songs (which you can listen to above as you flip), there sat eight colorful masterpieces, completely distinct. In every artist lies this sense of synesthesia.
sight
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the color effect BY NATHAN FLETCHER
he leading theory on color preferences is that our favorite colors helped our ancestors to survive. It is no wonder then that the two most favored colors in the United States are blue and green. In nature, these colors were signs of the one thing most important to us: water. The least liked colors? Yellows, browns, etc. The more associated the color is with either water or foodespecially fresh fruits- the higher up Americans tend to rate it. Other studies have suggested that people who have naturally cooler body temperatures prefer warm colors, while people with naturally warm body temperatures prefer cool colors. The biggest impact on a person’s color preferences? Mob mentality. Studies have shown that within a region, color preferences are widely uniform. As children, one’s color preferences are much more malleable and therefore they are more likely to fall prey to the trap of conformity. Though there are evolutionary and biological reasons for color preferences, ultimately your favorite color is typically determined by societal norms.
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Color psychology is used by brands to market themselves in particular ways. Logos are unknowingly judged by consumer based on the primary color used in said logo. Brands market themselves based on the product they manufacture. For example: a designer clothing manufacturer may wish to express expense, and therefore would use black as their primary logo color. A second manufacturer aimed to market to children might use blue or pink to associate themselves with boyhood and girlhood respectively.
Color psychology is used in products as well. When a big name brand uses a certain color scheme in their packaging, off-brand manufacturers copy that color scheme to appear similar. Storefronts also make use of color. Warm colors are used to attract spontaneous purchasers and cool to attract customers to purchases requiring more planning.
Teams dressed in red show an advantage in competitive activities. Among evenly matched opponents, teams wearing red uniforms win at a statistically signif icant rate. This occurs throughout all forms of competition, from sports to video games. Even judges tend to score red competitors higher.
THE COLOR EFFECT 6
BY MARIA KOLIOPOULOS
LOOKING BEYOND THE DETAILS
on sight and seeing
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ight. A subliminal kind of conquest, a crusade on human weakness.
We strive for clarity. we want to be seeing things clearly, with our eyes and with our minds. we want perfection, clean edges. it becomes second nature to work towards acuity. the accumulation of pixels upon pixels continues and we want more and more and more. someday, it’s too much. the edges poke at your retinas and it hurts just how much you’ve come to see. so take a step back. Put down the contact solution and let the lenses fog over. it’s finding the beauty in the blurriness that’s the tricky part. absorb your surroundings, let them seep in. every light has it’s own halo. everything is soft, no points, no edges. colors blend and dance together, waltzing with the floaters in your aqueous humour. and maybe you have to take some time adjusting to the light, but nothing here wants to hurt you.
ON SIGHT AND SEEING 8
syntonics BY INA A L A N RSO E D AN
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yntonics is a form of optometric therapy that uses various light wave frequencies to cure peripheral vision problems, depth perception, lazy eyes and even some mental disorders. The machine used in sytonics is known as a syntonizer. Very few people across the world make these machines. One of these few people is Rex Cross, who currently lives and works from his home in North Platte, NE.
Cross makes each individual piece necessary for syntonics and then ships them across the globe to various optometrists. These pieces include different colored filters. Each filter is used to correct a different issue. Patients look into a syntonizer to see a certain color and then chart what they see. Based on these charts, optometrists are then able to see the progress of the patient and determine a plan form there. Syntonics have shown positive results in many patients and is a growing practice in optometry.
THE HEALING POWER OF LIGHT SYNTONICS 10
headlights shoot colors rays splatter to the pavement sights of night driving
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sound
he sound of a screeching violin as an attacker approaches. The quiet serene sound of a piano at a wedding. Music and sounds have different ways to set an atmosphere. Whether it’s panicked and dark, or peaceful and bright, soundtracks tie the mood together.
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Music has various factors that contribute to its tone. Some of these factors include: tempo, dynamics, rhythm, etcetera. For example, something that is faster and higher in pitch generally gives off a better feeling as opposed to something that is written slower and lower in pitch.
a missed medium of mood THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND SOUND
BY SAM KLEMME 13
To get behind the science of it, when someone listens to music dopamine is released in the dorsal and ventral striatum. These areas of the brain are most commonly associated with happiness. The different pitches and anticipation of the music determine whether we are left scared or excited. Another factor of the mood is the unexpected. If a movement of music rises to a point and then leaves the phrase unresolved, it creates an unnerving feeling and our brain is left wanting more.
Music is even used in business. Advertisement tunes are always cheery and joyful because a sad tone would not be a good first impression.
"sounds are a great way to set a precedent of mood."
A MISSED MEDIUM OF MOOD 14
PLAYLIST:
the sounds of music BY NATALIE PEARSON
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Carsick Babyblu Synesthesia Andrew McMahon Without You Oh Wonder Salt Bad Suns Echo Foreign Air Bloom The Paper Kites Drive Oh Wonder Art Exhibit Young the Giant Technicolour Beat Oh Wonder Sound of Awakening WALK THE MOON
THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC 16
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smell
memories that
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BY COLIN FULLINFAW
SMELLS CAN LINGER LONG AFTER THE EXPERIENCE
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t is confirmed proof that smells trigger mem ories, good and bad. No matter the emotion attached to them, they no doubt trigger memories of the past. Memories of grateful times and the like are stored in the hippocampus and amygdala. When stimulated, these parts of the brain release chemicals, bringing the nostalgia with.
MEMORIES THAT LAST 19
SCENTS THAT SEND YOU BACK
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memory triggered by smell is common and experienced by many people throughout their lives. Good smells can remind us of childhood or important memories, transport us back to better times.
The familiar aroma of pine with a hint of vanilla filled my nostrils as I rememberd fondly of my times at the gardens. Instances of my mother begging me not to run too fast, be too loud, or touch anything. I thought of being dressed in scratchy clothing and forced to pose in front of the stacked poinsetta tree, and smiling fakely for my parents behind the camera.
I returned to Lauritzen Gardens for the first time in a decade. I was lost in smells and felt as if I’d been transported back to my youth. Encaptured in the loveliness of it all, I felt warm and at home.
As I entered the other greenhouses, the acrid smell of foreign plants made me think of how upset I’d get at the thought of looking at flowers for what felt like an eternity. As a child I only thought of flowers as boring, but now I see them, or rather smell them, as a transportation back to childhood, a holder of memory.
BY EMMA BRISBOIS
AROMA 21
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taste
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M'S PUB IS BACK AND AS EXCELLENT AS EVER
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ime passes slow ly in the elegant dining room of M’s Pub. It always has. Spectacular scents issuing from the kitchen, friendly table chatter, and bright but pleasant lighting emitting from a grand chandelier give the dining room a unique charm. Seated at a high top table nestled between the bar and and the south wall of the room, I took in all that M’s had to offer, and it seemed as if this microcosm of Omaha had never left. M’s Pub, which was all but destroyed by a fire that burned for hours in January of 2016, is a staple of Omaha cuisine. Its cozy dining room and top-notch menu make it a sure-fire hit for lunch or dinner.
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PHOTOS AND STORY BY TOM HERMANEK LAYOUT BY MARIA KOLIOPOULOS
I’ve had the opportunity to try a sampling of dishes from across the menu, and I can say that it’s hard to go wrong. Certainly, though, there are a few favorites I can recommend. You’d be hard pressed to find a dish tastier and more unique in the Omaha area than M’s Lahvosh. An Armenian dish reminiscent of pizza, it has a cracker-like crust and is topped with havarti cheese and other inclusions. Try the Omaha Lahvosh for a dish that epitomizes our fair city: it’s topped with roast beef, red onions, sautéed mushrooms and finished with creamy horseradish drizzle. Another delicious choice is the Indian Lamb Satay. It’s composed of grilled, marinated lamb atop basmati rice with feta cheese and scallions. It’s served with a spiced yogurt sauce slightly reminiscent of Greek tzatziki. For those seeking a pasta dish, M’s has an excellent fettuccine served with basil pesto. Grilled shrimp is a delightful addition to this dish, making it well worth the small upcharge. The dish also includes flavorful, grilled tomatoes and garlic bread. Order a desert, and diners will experience the full scope of the Pub’s offerings. The whipped tiramisu has a consistency of pudding and a flavor that is sweet, balanced, and moderately bold, thanks to the espresso beans used in its making. It’s one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. For those who visited M’s Pub before the tragic fire that nearly destroyed its home, a return visit will surely deliver on expectations. If you never had a chance to visit this Omaha classic before its closing, worry not. M’s Pub is just as it was before--which is to say--absolutely perfect.
LIKE IT WAS NEVER GONE
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aA LOOKtaste of home AT BIG MAMA'S KITCHEN
by andrew mize
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ocated in North Omaha, a former school is serving up southern home-cooking. The cozy atmosphere is very welcoming and the food makes you think of simpler times. Big Mama’s Kitchen is a true gem of Omaha.
CHICKEN AND WAFFLES A staple of Southern cuisine, this is a combination of the light, fluffy sweetness of the waffle paired with the tender, crispy crunch of the chicken. The homemade honey butter tops it all off.
CORNBREAD AND COLLARD GREENS The collard greens are a nice, salty contrast from the rest of your meal, and the cornbread is not too dense and is the dessert of your entree.
SWEET POTATO ICE CREAM Big Mama’s claim to fame is the sweet potato ice cream. This cool and creamy treat is an excellent way to finish off your meal. There is just enough sweetness and crunch that makes this one of the best ice creams in Omaha.
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dulcet flavors; authenticity BY: CLARA POHLMAN
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uthentic cuisine has become a foreign concept to most modern establishments although their food does not always lack the same delicious taste. The only problem with restaurants serving genuine, home-cooked meals, is the weight that bares itself on consumers’ wallets. I decided to compare two completely ends of the spectrum restaurants close to home, and see if the food’s authenticity was worth it’s heavy dollar amount. Being a self proclaimed food lover, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the countless authentic Italian restaurants in the Omaha area. I started my journey with Enzo’s, an adorable little restaurant in the heart of Florence.
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T m p i t w r a f e I T b m l d t I H t T t m w m
The doors were adorned with a beautiful design made of various metals and immediately made the presence of Italy felt. The restaurant itself is very small, only one room with about fifteen tables total and a lit fireplace among a rack of wines from Italy. Every customer gets a bowl of rolls and butter upon ordering and a side salad also comes with every entree. I knew I was in for an exciting meal as soon as the butter melted itself onto my roll, and I’ll fully admit that I had four more before I even touched my salad. The salad had a sweet dressing that would not be my first choice, but it still managed to keep my taste buds happy. For my main course I had lasagna, I figured that I couldn’t go wrong ordering a classic Italian entree. Let me just say that this lasagna was the most incredible food I have placed in my mouth thus far in my life. Half of the plate was a tangy Asiago cheese while the other side was adorned in a maranara sauce. The layers of the pasta melted as soon as my fork touched the top of each section. Honestly, my mouth is watering just thinking about it-I never wanted that lasagna to end. The overall cost for my entire meal was around $25.
As I was determined to venture into the Italian restaurant circuit, I happened upon Fazoli’s Italian chain as my cheap meal option. I again ordered lasagna accompanied by three breadsticks. My lasagna was sub par, quite honestly after experiencing the deliciousness of Enzo’s I figured that this entree just would not compare. It’s not that the lasagna was bad, it too had its share of poignant flavor. The maranara sauce was a generally thick layer over the pasta that made it seem like my meal could’ve potentially come from a previously frozen state. But my meal ultimately ended up costing me $7. That’s quite a steal compared to the $25 I had spent earlier. Although, the pasta just did not have the same quality or taste that came with the authentic, upscale restaurant. My overall conclusion led me to the not so surprising fact that my taste buds expect expense.
DULCENT FLAVORS: AUTHENTICITY
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touch
p l ato n i c ARTWORK TRACED FROM SKETCH BY MAX KORENSKY
TOUCH SHOULD BE INTEGRATED INTO ALL RELATIONSHIPS BY HOPE STRATMAN
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ur social norms have little tolerance for platonic touch.
Sure, a touch on the shoulder here or there is found acceptable. Occasionally offering a friend a hug is allowed. However, such moments of touch are usually both rare and brief, and longer or more frequent touch between friends is seen as inappropriate. The unfortunate truth is that our society as a whole has developed an immense taboo towards touch.
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“IN RECENT YEARS, A WAVE OF STUDIES HAS DOCUMENTED SOME INCREDIBLE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS THAT COME FROM TOUCH.”
To be frank, this discomfort with touch is a tragedy. A touch releases oxytosin and calms the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and study after study has demonstrated the psychological, social, and physical benefits that result. Touch has been shown to reduce stress and depression; in addition, it helps build up self-esteem as well as trust and empathy between individuals. Some studies have even seen correlations between increased touch and better health.
-DANIEL KELTNER (PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELY)
Clearly, we ought to put our touch taboo aside and, instead, incorporate more touch into our relationships. It may seem odd or uncomfortable at first, but try putting an arm around a friend during a conversation. Give your mom a long hug after she’s had a long day. Heck, even high five a teacher once in awhile. You won’t regret it, I promise.
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Relearn the power of platonic touch.
PLATONIC TOUCH 34
tactile e h t r a py 35
The possibility of leading the client into layers of experience that are often pre-verbal and long forgotten to the conscious mind can lead to the development of a new psychic structure.
by maria miller
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actile therapy essentially employs the concept that by using our other senses, particularly touch, we can stimulate the brain in a way that is non-threatening therefore aiding the client to process difficult experiences more comfortably or possibly retrieve memories that have been blocked. It is commonly used for those suffering from PTSD, anxiety, trauma, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Anything with noticeable texture, like tree bark, fur, or water can be used, but therapists often have their patients create their own little ‘beach’ with sand, sea shells, and a pool of water because it creates a visual haven as well as a textile one.
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ach object has a unique texture, just as each person has a fingerprint, an impression that no one can recreate. Bumps, smooths, curves; these are what define us, but not necessarily on the outside. Each of our internal textures speaks a different voice, sings a different note. Personality is what keeps us apart from those around us; not as a barrier, but as a bridge- to tie us together yet keep us seperated. Individuality allows humanity to connect through similarities and differences alike. Our internal textures encapsulate the sole essense of who we are. These imprints make up that which we decide to expose to the rest of the world. Coarse sandpaper. Subdued velvet. This is humanity, in its overwhelming collection of consistencies.
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t e n c y THE SENSE OF TEXTURE BY MADDIE MOLLNER CONSISTENCY 38
CONSISTENCY 39
Sense
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veryone is familiar with the five senses: Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste, and Smell. Just as one begins to think they know everything, however, science flips the table. There are actually at least nine senses, and most researchers believe there to be as many as 21. To better understand this, sense is defined as a specialized function by which one receives and responsed to stimuli. Here are five senses that you probably didnt even consider you had.
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FIVE SENSES YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T THINK EXISTED 41
BY ZOE CLARK
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y T If walking without ho stumbling is difficult for you, you may have poor equilibrioception. This integral sense is what Gooseis commonly referred bumps to as balance. The erupt sense utilizes down your fluid in the arms as you inner ear to begin to shiver. gauge balance, The culprit is thermoception: so colds and your sense of temperature. sinus Sensors in your skin signal rising infections and falling temperatures, triggering affect a counter-response of the body: shivyour ering to warm and sweating to cool down. balThis sense also sends thermal ance. nociceptors send pain From signals if the the Latin temperature is word nocere, unsafe. meaning ‘to harm or hurt,’ this is the sense responsible for feeling pain. Stimuli, such as a hot surface, or a sharp object send signals to your brain, triggering pain. This sense wires your brain to be wary of Time danger. either passes at a snail’s pace or far too This quickly. This sensation is yet another sense sense. The circadian clock is responsible. is the In essence, it is the timing of sunlight awareand darkness to determine the passing ness of of time. Emotions also play a role. where the By With anxiety and fear, regions of J time seems slower. our bodies are When content, in space at a time flies. given point in time. This sense allows for handeye coordination and fine motor skills. This sense allows us to walk in the dark and grasp objects we can’t see. BEYOND THE FIVE SENSES 42
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cover model: ally pachunka photographed by lily yates
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ON THE COVER 44
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m i s s i o n
Quintessence is a high school print & online student life magazine, created by and for the students of Skutt Catholic High School. A new issue with a different creative theme is produced four times per year by the Flightline newspaper staff with the aim to celebrate, inform, and entertain students, teachers, members of the SCHS community and beyond.
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