Suburbia Vol. 2 • The '80s Issue

Suburbia Suburbia

Volume #2 the ‘80s issue

Illustrations by Kyra Gundred

Just to Clarify...

Before you turn the page, we need you to understand something.

We need you to understand how imperfectly we have illustrated the artistry of this magazine’s constituents — not because we had worked any less hard, but because the facets of the human capacity to create simply cannot be contained in these 48 pages. Not to say we didn’t try anyway. What you are holding in your hands is a family production of unobstructed creativity. Turn these pages — slowly — and comprehend the microcosms conceptualized and brought into existence by the hands of the so many artists involved in this project. You may regard this as a free handout — paper and ink and no more than such — but know that to so many others, this is the culmination of the tireless hours poured into its production. Welcome reader to Suburbia, we hope you too will be moved by the sheer force of imagination so poorly and yet so beautifully scripted here.

-- Noah Chang, Writing Section Editor

Designs by Skijler Hutson

Suburbia

The ‘80s Issue

Illustration by Mina Jang

Letter from the Editors

Welcome to the second issue of Suburbia, West Ranch’s very own literary magazine. This semester after thinking long and hard, we decided to choose the ‘80s aesthetic to be our central theme in this edition -- a theme our members would take on with their vast creativity and artistic minds to create projects such as the ‘80s-inspired prom photoshoot and neon lights series. But you may ask: Why ‘80s? The ‘80s only exists to us in the stories of our parents and grandparents. In our minds it is flaked with bad hairstyles but also blessed with amazing design patterns and some of the best rock music of the century. What we wanted to convey was not historical accuracy but instead an interpretation of all the stories and images we have been left with from a time we never experienced. We never strove to follow the guidelines of the ‘80s, instead we let it only suggest to us what we should do. That being said, the ‘80s has a lot to suggest; from the pop art of Andy Warhol to the fashion of exercise videos, we had no lack of inspiration for this magazine.

As the ‘80s has inspired us and generations before us, we only wish to inspire you. Do not read this magazine for its mere content but instead think through what it has to say about your own life. We hope you carry what you learn quietly in the back of your mind, only to recall it one day in an epiphany of inspiration.

Additionally, we would like to thank all of our staff members for their endless work putting this magazine together -know that no bit of effort goes unnoticed, our advisor Mrs. Frame for graciously giving us a space to yell and spread our creativity, our team of section editors who have embarked on offshoot projects adding tremendously to the culture of the club, our parents for fostering this project, and every student who has submited to Suburbia because they are the ones who keep inspiring us to continue doing this.

-- Mina Jang & Skijler Hutson, Editors-in-Chief

Photography by Samantha Delgado

Design by Sarah Ziskind

NEon Lights

Photo by Rachel Dyer

Bottom left by Angie Noblejas

Top left and top right by Rachel Dyer

Directly below by Samantha Delgado

Tori Crews

What do you love most about photography?

I love just being able to capture the moment and being able to express my creativity because I am a horrible artist. I cannot draw for the life of me, but I get the technical side of photography because my parents are technical, so it comes naturally.

What do you like taking pictures of the most?

I used to be really into nature and flowers but now I have been moving more toward portraits. [I take portraits] whenever I can find someone to take pictures of which is sometimes a little bit of a struggle with school.

What do you love most about the ‘80s?

I just really love the style and everything is so moody -- especially with the neon. I love neon!

What do you think is the most iconic thing about the ‘80s?

I don’t know, it’s just so unique. Like if you see someone, you know that their style is ‘80s.

Do you charge for your shoots?

I have done a few photoshoots for pay. I charge between $100 and $200 for a simple shoot; $300 depending on locations.

You can check out more of Tori’s work on Instagram: @cherryblossommemories.photos

Portrait Photo and Interview By Rachel Dyer

HANNAH EVERITT

By Austyn Malynn

For Hannah Everitt, songwriting is a mirror that shows her whole self, helping her capture a few of thousands of thoughts running through her head. Not only does Hannah write lyrics, but she also composes melodies on the piano. “There are 88 keys just waiting to be played in a new order and rhythm with complexity and dynamics,” says Hannah. “Every little note represents a piece of me.” We learned more about the talented West Ranch songwriter by interviewing Hannah about her work and the process that comes along with it.

Q: What inspires you to create?

A: My Heavenly Father is who inspires me to create. God gave me this talent to communicate with others in a way nothing else can. I write my songs to move people.

Q: What emotions come before, during, and after creating a song?

A: It really depends on the song. I think it’s safe to say that every song I’ve ever written represents a distinct emotion in my life. For example, I wrote “Differences” right after seeing a good friend of mine for the first time in years. “Nothing Without You” was written to my my best friend growing up while I was thinking of all our fond memories. And I wrote “Dear Future Self” when I was scared of the future. Writing it all out gave me so much comfort to combat the fear.

Q: Is it hard sharing your writing with others because they can be so personal?

A: Of course it’s difficult for me to share my songs, because every song has a story. And no matter how hard I try to explain each story, I’ll always be the only one to see it’s entire picture. I firmly believe that everyone has something to get out of every song, and the messages are personal. That’s the magic of songwriting: two people can listen to the same song yet get unique and personalized messages from it.

DIFFERENCES

By Hannah Everitt

You said

I don’t want to see you again

I tried so hard to let you in back then

I said

Who have you become?

I thought I knew you but now you’re different

Why do people change

In such dramatic ways?

I thought we were friends

I’ll still talk to you

Now I know

Distance puts an end

To so much innocence

I won’t forget you

But know I’m different too

I saw you

I barely recognized your face

You used to be so lovely but now you’re crumbling away

I wanted you

To run right up to me

And ask me how I’ve been instead of staying lost at sea

There are so many tears to cry

Make them fade to gray

And I know it seems impossible in this crazy world

But you can find your way

‘80s WEDDINGS

By Isabel Zheng

The Dress

The importance Of silhouettes was unsaid. It’s like a great dance. Frills, puffs, lace is all they chased, Going down the aisle isn’t race.

Bridesmaids

It’s a rainbow of ndividuality.

Looking pretty with flower crowns They’re put together, slight match Modest and everything of class Cake

White and intricate

Looking like the beautiful Bride, itself. The closer To the sky, the better it is.

Four tiered six tiered eight tiered stop

Bouquets

A waterfall of Flowers, trickling down baskets. Ribbons like fishes

Jumping through floral waters. From bride to bride soon to be.

FLYING GIRL

By Sophia Kriegel

I do not like heights

But I am walking across a tightrope

Too far in to turn back

Too far away to feel safe

I do not like heights

But I am skipping across the sky

Wobbling as I walk

Looking for something to grab onto

The city looks pretty from up here

Everything looks pretty from far way

It stands still

Even as I shake

I am stretched across skyscrapers

An angel soaring above streets

And I have never felt more holy I

The flying girl who walks on air

Feel like I am sinking I

The wire woman who does it with ease

Is scared they will see me fall

I do not like heights

But I will not jump

So instead

I sit down on the string

In the middle of two worlds

Learn how to whistle

And soar for hours

MY ECHOING WILLOW WORDS

By Tomas Reid

In a thousand willow words could create a new world, so I will come knocking at your fort, shouting my voice to the world, yelling words so freely, fighting you and me. Until everyone has heard me roar.

The voices the echoes from all those who dare not speak. For I not yield to no such thing. So they speak my willow words of hope you’ll see.

Yet you can hear my words as they bleed through the streets. For the days come to our government’s kingly throne, so I bring light to night and exchange hope for the pain.

For today’s my dream, I’ll go unseen, but you can hear my words as you come through the streets. Nothing will change for now I see my willow words have take all from me.

You say I’m just a thief, so I’m not allowed to speak, but I speak because, fears go unseen as your dreams are so mean, but in this world of lonely people, I’ll breathe light into the souls of a thousand lonely men.

For now I bring flames and machines, sparking hope in the free and mending iron so we can breathe. I know I’m free for tomorrows a new day.

So let our hearts burn free, for it’s a new day from a broken life you see, now we fight to free, for that nightmare is more then we can take, so everything will change. A thousand willow men will fight, for words are weapon, and cold blood rained.

The Reaper’s song now sang for those seven days, without a break. Then I see my willow words painted on the streets, staining green to red, brown to red, black to red, red red red! What has happened to me?

As red creates my willow words, for when all is gone what remains?

For my willow words echo throughout those dark nights. Tonight it ends for the Reapers sang songs, collecting the chaos within our souls, now only death has come through the fire and flames, so the shadow of death is coming for what I seek.

Today I stand with a new day at hand, my willow words come to echo in even the dead’s man hand.

For my cursed willow words will haunt the name of the new world. Now I live holding no hands. We live with no king, only sadness you see, for what will tomorrow bring?

Now my willow words echo throughout all of time.

ALLISON ALBEN

By Chika Ma

At first view, Allison Alben looks like a quiet girl, the type to take in the moment of what is around her with a mysterious smile printed on her face, nobody ever knowing what might she be thinking. But as you talk to her a bit more, you might come across a sarcastic, joke-loving, local internet lurking, Harry Potter-obsessed, and super out-of-this-world fantasy writer who believes dragons are better than humans. From our very own Paw Print, here is your local Gryffindor: Allison Alben.

Q: When did you start writing and why?

A: I have been writing for basically my whole life but I started to fall in love with it in the end of elementary school. I don’t know how I got into it but I started getting praise from people so I just kept writing.

Q: What sparks your inspiration to write?

A: Sometimes I can just look at something and I can write about it. I could probably start writing about something totally random like a button, just because I think it would be cool.

Q: Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

A: I love reading! I have like ten books on my desk that are still waiting for me to read. I would live in Barnes Nobles if I were allowed too. I also love to lurk around on the internet and hanging out in my house.

Q: Are there people that you still look up to ever since you were younger?

A: I wouldn’t say I have an inspirational author I looked up to. I don’t want to replicate anybody’s style. There are some authors that are amazing that I love like J.K Rowling, obviously a queen. It’s amazing how authors started out as being nothing and all of a sudden, being able to grow a huge empire of characters.

EXCERPT FROM “THE CROWN PRINCE”

By Allison Alben

I could hear their shouts somewhere in the distance, and I was sure I heard pounding hooves, but it wouldn’t do to dwell on my potential capture. I had to keep my thoughts on escape, and escape only. Stupidly, I let my thoughts drift to my father’s favorite advisor, and I did my best not to feel the sting of her hand across my cheek, nor the pressure of her nails digging into my chest. I held back my tears as I ran, but I suddenly tripped on a tree root and fell to the ground. I laid there for a moment contemplating just how I had gotten myself into this mess. I shook my head, dismissing any thoughts of Jane as I stood. I realized with an air of triumph that I could no longer hear the horses that had been tailing me. Ha! And they call themselves trackers! I could outrun them any day!

I looked around, finally allowing my eyes to totally adjust to the darkness. I was overwhelmed with relief that I had decided to take the back way out of the palace and head north and then go south. I was sure now that if I had chosen to head south through the city to begin with, the Royal Guard would have caught up to me by now. There were way too many soldiers to not have been caught on my way to the border. And besides, I couldn’t risk seeing Mason or any of my friends in the city. They might have tried to stop me, even though they were sympathetic to my plight. I tried not to worry about anything as I began moving again, a noble but ultimately useless endeavour. With no thoughts to occupy my mind, I began to feel a strange twinge in my chest.

I shook my head once again. I didn’t have time to be homesick. I didn’t have time to miss anyone. I didn’t have time to dwell on what my friends would be doing, nor if the city had quieted yet. All I could think about, all I allowed myself to think about, was what would have happened if I had stayed, and how much better off I’d be now that I was gone. I would no longer be the advisors’ little political puppet, too naive to understand anything about the world around me. And I wouldn’t be my father’s greatest disappointment anymore. A Crown Prince who would never be quite as good as his older brother Marcus. Someone who, for some reason, couldn’t be king if he was so great because no, Dylan, it has to be you, so shut up and get back to work. I took a shaky breath as I stopped again, and I allowed a single tear to roll down my cheek before I steeled my eyes once again. I would no longer be known as the Crown Prince, heir to the throne. No. Now, I could finally be me, just me, a regular person who wanted to find an amazing girl and marry her not for political advantage but for love. And I could be what I truly had always dreamed of being. Normal. Such a word shouldn’t be in the vocabulary of a Crown Prince, but… that wasn’t me anymore.

For the full story, visit wrsuburbia.com

Hidden Masterpieces

There exists a lot more artistic talent here than one might think.

Left Page: Hannah Landon

Right Page:

Above - Alexis Krasnoff

To left- Brandon Peraza

Left page:

Above - Rose Derbedrosian

Top right - Lauren Franco

To right side - Marika Van Gent

Right Page:

Top - Kenny Cosme

Bottom - Vivila Leigh

Usha

Venkatasubramanian

What inspires you to create and why?

What inspires me to create is really everyone who I can learn from. My main goal is to better my craft that I achieve from studying everyone really because I learn a little something from every person I come in contact with.

Is there a specific medium you prefer to work with? If so, why?

My work is usually with oil and acrylic paints because I’m used to that type of paint from when I was young, but I actually am happy with any medium as long as I’m able to make art with it. I do experiment with various textures when in my comfort zone so you could say I’m an experimenter with new mediums and techniques.

How does your art reflect who you feel you are as an individual?

My art is very very colorful, but in a complimentary, harmonious way, not like a rainbow just threw up on a canvas. I think that this reflects me because I’m really a very happy and full of life type of person. When I get stuck in a slump and become depressed I see myself involved more in poetry then painting because I feel like I find more comfort in words than in images.

How has art influenced your life as a student?

I have always loved art and I would always find a way to fit it in with my school work, but when I got to high school, I’d say that APs and my time for art didn’t mix. Therefore, I wasn’t very happy while I studied. This realization made me see a career in the arts rather then in my Indian stereotypes of math or engineering. Now I’m applying to art schools with an animation major in mind and pursue what I love doing.

Interview by Austyn Malynn

Lauren Riuz

Interview by Chika Ma

When you draw what is the most difficult part? For me, drawing more realistic figures because I like to be more spontaneous when I draw, so I always struggled with that.

Why do you produce art?

I fell in love with it because it’s something that releases a lot of my emotion; it’s almost like therapy to me. When I’m feeling down, I’ll grab a paintbrush and let myself go in the artwork.

What is art?

Anything is art. It doesn’t have to be a certain standard. I feel like everyone has a definition of art, and that’s a beautiful portrait. But to me, my definition of art is something spontaneous and colorful that your mind releases -- that’s art.

If you could give any advice to yourself when you were younger, what would you say?

Take it more seriously. When I was younger, I never considered doing art as a career for myself -- it was more like a hobby. But now that I’m a senior, I have to think about what I’m going to do. Art is the only thing that comes to mind, so that’s really what I would tell myself: be more focused and be more passionate.

Would you like to do art as a career?

Yes, of course. I have a giant list of art schools I want to go to, like Parsons School of Design in New York and Rhode Island School of Design.

Who do you mainly look up to for art inspiration when you’re stuck and don’t know what to draw?

I honestly don’t really have a person I look up to. It’s my thoughts, my mind, and my emotions. I want everything to come from me because I feel as if I’m doing some senseless art, or copying the other person if I look at their art to figure out what I want to do.

What’s you favorite subject to draw?

I don’t really know what subject it’s particularly called, it’s more like scribbles all over the place, kinda like line drawing. I also enjoy painting really vibrant, colorful abstract art.

A Night to Remember class

of 1986

The Artsy Type

Photos by Anna Suh

Styling by Dana Saulo

Makeup by Alana Pelaez

The Cool Kids

The Popular Girls

“I didn’t even want to go to Prom”

Makeup by Alana Palaez

Hair by Ayden McKensie

Styling by Josh Gundred

Directed by Kenny Cosme

Photography by Anna Suh and Maya Christensen

Not everyone can be prom king and queen. Luckily for those seeking a more alternative style, we took a look at some fashion from the ‘80s underground scene. Many self preclaimed “rejects” would form groups in big cities such as New York to share their style with one another. In addition, smaller communities formed in the suburbs catering to punk-styled kids. Together they formed a collective style movement we have deemed the “Club Kids.”

As a unique form of advertisement for his newest party, the leader of the Club Kids would produce trading cards that displayed their colorful posses. They were pop culture icons and their images was exchanged among city goers and suburban teens alike.

DIY: Scrunchie

the quintessential ‘80s hair accessory

Story and photos by Dana Saulo

What you’ll need:

A sewing machine or a hand sewing kit, a tape measurer, fabric scissors, 22x3.5 inch piece of fabric, matching thread, a nine inch piece of elastic, a safety pin, and a sewing needle.

1) Fold the fabric in half wrong side out and hem along the length leaving two openings at the end.

2) Fold a half inch of fabric inwards at one of the ends and insert a safety pin.

3

3) Turn the fabric inside out with the help of the safety pin, then take off the safety pin

5) After looping it through, tie the elastic ends in a secure knot. Then push the knot to the side so that it is inside the fabric.

4 5 6 7 8

4) Pin the safety pin to the end of the elastic and thread the elastic through the two holes of the fabric.

6) Push the side of fabric you left untouched in the beginning within the folded side’s hole.

7) Sew the two sides together.

8) Enjoy your cool and funky scrunchie! :)

The ‘80s in Today’s Music

HAIM

Groovy all girl indie band to make your heart happy.

Recommended song: “Falling”

Beach House

Dream pop duet with a slow tempo and rad synth piece.

Recommended song: “Space Song”

Story by Sydney Zepeda

illustration by India Bramhall

illustration by Noah Chang

Electronic beats with a synth pop twist

Recommended song: “Elevate”

80’s influenced dream pop band with catchy and funky bass lines and a classic groovy synth piece.

Recommended songs: “Manicure” and “Dalton’s Wish”

Arcade Fire

Funky indie beats with a stuttering bass line and catchy piano piece.

Recommended song: “Ready to Start”

Sky Ferreira

1980’s synth effect with a hint of alternative rock.

Recommended song: “I Will”

illustration by Noah Chang

illustration by Noah Chang

St. Lucia

illustration by Kyra Gundred

Modern Baseball

illustration by Rose Derbedrosian

THE ‘80S PLAYLIST

By Maya Christensen Suburbia

This playlist is a reflection of what you might find amongst a typical teenager’s tapes in the 80s. When listening, picture yourself hearing it through the headphones connected to your Walkman. You are ecstatic about listening to the new mix tape you have spent weeks perfecting and hours creating on your dual cassette player. Includes the classics as well as music to jam to, to satisfy all your flashback needs. Enjoy turning back in time a few decades with this of the past playlist.

1. Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes)

2. Karma Chameleon (Culture Club)

3. Just Like Heaven (The Cure)

4. Purple Rain (Prince)

5. Pictures of You (The Cure)

6. Dreaming of Me (Depeche Mode)

7. Close to Me (The Cure)

8. This Charming Man (The Smiths)

9. Should I Stay or Should I Go (The Clash)

10. Teenage Riot (Sonic Youth)

11. Rusholme Ruffians (The Smiths)

12. Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)

13. Once in a Lifetime (Talking Heads)

14. Here Comes Your Man (Pixies)

15. If You Leave (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)

16. Good Feeling (Violent Femmes)

17. 99 Luftballons (Nena)

18. Modern Love (David Bowie)

19. Take on Me (A-ha)

20. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (The Proclaimers)

21. Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)

22. Pretty in Pink (The Psychedelic Furs)

23. The Killing Jar (Siouxsie and the Banshees)

24. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)

25. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)

26. Come On Eileen (Dexys Midnight Runners)

27. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life (Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes)

28. Don’t You Forget About Me (Simple Minds)

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit to the West Ranch Literary Magazine! Our goal is to highlight the creative, talented minds within our school, and to do that, we need your work. It can range from a poetry assignment you worked hard on to fun videos you made with your friends when you were all bored. Every submission we recieve is uploaded onto our website: www. wrsuburbia.com. Then, each year, we will select a handfull of students to be featured in our magazine. There are two ways to submit:

1.) Go to our website, click the submit page, fill out the needed information, and then email us your pieces at wrsuburbia@gmail.com

2.) DM us your pieces through Instagram (@wrsuburbia) along with your name (if you prefer you can say “anonymous”) and the title of your work. @wrsuburbia

www.wrsuburbia.com