Press Play

BEHIND THE SCENES

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PAYTON ALONZO

EXECUTIVE PRINT EDITOR

LEAH PRATLEY

EXECUTIVE DIGITAL EDITOR

AINSLEY MCRAE

DESIGN EDITOR

SOPHIE SARGEANT

PHOTO EDITORS

ALI WATSON & SAMANTHA JOH

ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

KAITLYN CAFARELLI

WRITING EDITOR

QUAYE MEADOW

PRINT COPY EDITORS

ELLA NORTON, CHARLIE VIGNE, JORDYN CENTERWALL & WESLEY JOHNSON

BLOG COPY EDITORS

AMELIA KENNEDY & TILLIE MOORE

PRODUCTION

FRANCESCA MILHIZER

PLAYLIST COORDINATOR

ALI BEDINGFIELD

FUNDRASING COORDINATOR

SIDNEY STIPANOVICH

NATALIE ROBINSON, SOPHIE SARGEANT, STELLA RANELLETTI, CHARLIE VIGNE, LEAH PRATLEY, FRANCESCA MILHIZER, RILEY KENNON, QUAYE MEADOW, SIDNEY STIPANOVICH, SAMANTHA JOH, PAYTON ALONZO, AINSLEY MCRAE, BEATRICE KAHN, JORDYN CENTERWALL,

Hi everyone! Where do I start? I have been a part of Align since my freshman year of college and have watched it evolve and contribute to both arts and culture at the University of Oregon. I started as Executive Design Editor, moved into Executive Editor, and am thankful to have finished my time at Align as Editor-in-Chief. I don’t know where I’d be today without this pivotal experience. During the creation of this issue, I was so thankful to have the chance to art direct, design, and uphold my final moments as Editor-in-Chief. With all of this being said, this issue is a special one. What does Press Play mean to Align? Here is our take… Spring/Summer is full of change, transition, playfulness, and adventure… all of which encompass this issue’s theme, Press Play. There were a variety of reasons why choosing this theme took 5+ hours. For many of us executives, this was our last hurrah; how could we make this theme encapsulate that feeling? Pressing Play is the jump into that new job. Pressing Play is going on that road trip you’ve always talked about. Pressing Play is rediscovering your inner child. Pressing Play is checking things off your bucket list. Pressing Play is the realization you only live once, so live life to the fullest. Pressing Play is something that has resonated with my lifestyle for as long as I can remember; I feel very connected to this issue. We are so thankful to have won the ASUO award for “Best Publication” this term. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the passion and integrity of everyone who has contributed to Align. Special thank you to the executive team for putting in extra time to ensure Align thrives. I could not have asked for a better experience & team. Align will always have a special place in my heart. As our Executive Print Editor, Leah Pratley, recently said, “We are ending one song and pressing play on another.” Let’s Press Play & live fully! Thank you, Align <3

Love Always,

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

PRESS PLAY

Our playlist, designed around the theme of PRESS PLAY, embodies growth, self-discovery, risk-taking, and a playful spirit. Despite life’s challenges, we believe there is always a goal or light at the end, even when it’s not immediately visible.

To convey this concept, we created a DJ Set list-style playlist that should be played from start to finish, using Spotify’s crossfade feature. For the intended experience, set your crossfade at seven seconds. This deliberate choice removes the option to skip songs, emphasizing that life lacks a pause button. Instead, we press play and confront hardships to grow and progress.

Each song on the playlist contributes to a cohesive narrative, showcasing the different aspects of growth, self-discovery, and maintaining a lighthearted approach. By immersing yourself in this transformative musical journey, you’ll be inspired to embrace challenges, find joy in taking risks, and discover your potential for personal progress and happiness.

Press play and enjoy the seven-second crossfade, as intended, for the full impact of the playlist.

EMPTY

WHEN YOU DIE NOVEMBER HELLO?

FEEL IT ALL AROUND NIGHTS

INTIMIDATED PATIENCE

LAVA

HOLDUP

4EVER

HAIRCUT

ALL OF THIS WILL END

GIVE YOU MY LOVIN MAPS

EVERYBODY’S BABY

LIVING BREATHING BALANCE

SEASON 2 EPISODE 3

OH! FRENCHY

MORNING SEX

WAVES - TAME IMPALA REMIX

WHAT’S THE USE?

SHOW YOU THE WAY

(NEVER BEEN TO) CALIFORNIA

FALL FOR YOU

SOON NEVER COMES

KEVIN ABSTRACT MGMT

TYLER, THE CREATOR

CLAIRO, REJJIE SNOW

WASHED OUT

FRANK OCEAN

KAYTRANADA, H.E.R.

TAME IMPALA

STILL WOOZY

ETHAN TASCH

CLAIRO

RYAN BEATTY

INDIGO DE SOUZA

MAZZY STAR

SAMIA

BEESON

MESITA

FUTURE ISLANDS

GLASS ANIMALS

MOSIE

RALPH COSTELLO MIGUEL

MAC MILLER

THUNDER CAT & MORE

DJ MARK FARINA & MORE

KINGS OF TOMORROW & MORE

STIMULATOR JONES

AND MORE ON ALIGN MAGAZINE’S SPOTIFY

The best Align Mag blog pieces from the term, chosen by the people who wrote them. Dive into pieces that cover everything from personal trials and tribulations to well-researched societal observations.

“Secrets From a Girl Who’s Lived It”

“We All Love Gone Girl”

“The Relationship Between Art & Activism”

The History of Barbie”

“What Is Warcore?”

“Dear my freshman year”

“The Selfish Love Language”

“Female Validation from someone without sisters”

“Boygenius’ “The Record”: A Look into Queerness, Friendship and Mental Health”

“The Beauty of Aging into Womanhood”

Gabby Pfeiffer

Maddy More

Maysee Russell

Olivia Tong

Josh Duong-Tran

Hannah Kalan

Addie Jensen

Eliot Correll

Sophia Haggerty

Calliope Meadow-Hills

Read these and more on alignmaguo.com.

BLOG HIGH LIGHTS

A special thank you and infinite gratitute to our senior digital exec team, Ali Bedingfield, Amelia Kennedy and Tillie Moore for making Align Digital to grow and evolve throughout this past year. To Ali, for making Spotify team a tight knit community and giving music lovers the ability to create and learn more about themselves in the process of making playlists. To Amelia and Tillie, who guided writers along their paths and changed the quality and community of Align blog forever.

In the Queue... In the Queue...

ART DIRECTOR AMA ALLEN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GUSTAVO DEL REAL MODELS AMANDA CHANG, MILLY GAMLEN, SOPHIE DAVIS, SAMANTHA JOH, ISABELLA CHIMIENTI, KEIR VAN NIEUWBURG

Swiping Right After Heartbreak

Lucky Girl Syndrome & Getting Out of Your Own Way

The Liminal Year

It’s Complicated Career (Un)commitment

Indulge In Journaling

Let Your Hair Down

Moving the Needle on Menswear

How to Climb Big Walls

In the Band: An Interview With Grrlband

Pressing Play on a Household Name

No More Mourning the Morning

I Am What I Wear!

(Dis)connecting Through Headphones

Rizz Is Out Whimsy Is In

All Beyond the Pages

Old Gal Pals

Do You Even Pod?

Around We Go

The People Are Ready To Feel Again:

Why Box Office Success Isn’t Cutting It Anymore

Building Time Capsules: How Can We Truly Live in the Moment?

Hit the Road

Do It For the Plot

Alice Was Right

Leaving Our Hearts in Oregon

Swiping Right After

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GRETA SVENDSEN ART DIRECTOR GEORGIA KARAM

WRITTEN BY LILLY FOX

Heartbreak

Heartbreak is an emotion I’ve only truly experienced once in my 21 years of life. It was a time that left me feeling like a shell of myself. I wasn’t able to do anything except sleep and cry. I didn’t know how to get out of the loop that is being heartbroken. Above all else, I couldn’t enjoy my life.

These feelings went on for a little over a year, but that year taught me a lot about myself. I learned how to lean on my community and let other people help me during hard times. I was able to rely on dance in a way I hadn’t been able to in a long time. I also gained an understanding that some relationships aren’t meant to last forever and that those hard times can serve a purpose. I’m very grateful for the lessons I learned while heartbroken, and at some moment in time I reached a point where I wanted to stop feeling heartbroken and put myself back out there. However, it takes a lot of desire and courage to get to the point of actually being able to do so.

Taking that step of moving on is terrifying. There’s something about living in that heartbroken phase that’s almost comforting. I knew what to expect, and in a way, I was safe from getting my heart broken again. At the same time, I really wanted to find

someone who would complement me and add to my life. I wanted to continue to grow and learn new lessons, but in a more positive way. I also felt that I owed it to myself to get back out there instead of continuing to live in the cave that is being heartbroken. While I’m typically someone who stays in my comfort zone, I recognized that in this instance staying comfortable would only hurt me more. So, I redownloaded the dating apps.

Getting back on the apps was definitely an experience. It took a while to match with anyone, and even when I did I would be left with no response. Eventually, I met someone who I had hopes for. We went on a few dates and talked for quite some time, but I just felt like I was settling for the first option that came around. I knew that this person wasn’t a good match for me, but I stuck with them because I didn’t want to be alone and I had hope that the relationship would get better. Obviously, it didn’t work out with this person. After that I was left feeling upset, frustrated, and like I had wasted my time.

DESIGNER EMMA MCGONIGLE PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR ALI BEDINGFIELD MODEL LUCY DRAKE

Looking back on that particular dating experience, it wasn’t a waste of time, but rather another circumstance that taught me a lot. While I wish I had walked away earlier because it would have saved me a lot of tears and frustration, I was able to realize that I need to trust my instincts because the majority of the time they’re on the right track. I’ve also come to realize that there is nothing wrong with being alone, and that the time to myself was what I needed to grow into the best version of myself.

I did end up giving the apps another try after that because I felt stronger and more capable of understanding that I didn’t need to run into the arms of the first person who responded to a message. With that mindset and all of the other lessons I picked up along the way, I did end up meeting someone who I’m very happy with, and who does help me grow and see things in a different way.

If someone told me three years ago when I got my heart broken that I would be happy it happened I would have told them they were being ridiculous. As much as I hated being heartbroken and hope to never experience that again, it led to a pause that gave me the opportunity to realize who I was, what I needed, and how to be happy whether I’m alone or in a relationship.

Lucky Girl Syndrome Getting Out of Your & Own Way

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok in the past year, you might have come across the term “Lucky Girl Syndrome.” Search this phrase and videos of girls sitting in their cars repeating the words “I’m so lucky” or “everything always works out for me” fill the screen. Lucky girl syndrome is hotly debated. Some people claim it changed their lives. Others critique the tendency to use manifestation to write off privilege as luck. It’s a tempting concept – who doesn’t want to be lucky? – but I would argue that this trend is poorly named. It has nothing to do with luck. The popularity and success of Lucky Girl Syndrome hinges less on the outcome of situations than it does on the mindset we approach those situations with.

College is a time of possibility; it’s also a time of pressure. Every choice narrows the road ahead. It used to be marketed as the time for self-discovery, but as admissions become more competitive and majors more requirement-heavy, it can seem like a career needs to be decided by the first day of classes. Fear of failure often drives these decisions. When someone asks an 8-year-old what they want to be when they grow up, they answer astronaut, ballet dancer, FBI agent, pro soccer player or movie star. These professions all take talent, but they also take luck. They’re risky.

Give it 10 years, and those answers change. They become safer, more attainable and more realistic. Of course, not everyone is an athlete talented enough to go pro or an actor good enough to become a movie star. But how often do we take ourselves out of the running before the race even starts? Stepping outside of our comfort zone is scary. If we subconsciously assume we’ll fail before we try something new, we sabotage ourselves. We might not even try. By taking the safe path over and over, we build our life with the things that are the least risky instead of the ones we want. Failure is inevitable– at least some of the time. When we think of ourselves as unlucky, taking those risks doesn’t seem worth it. Why try if we’ll just end up disappointed?

When we think of ourselves as lucky, taking a chance on something that seems out of reach is less intimidating. Overall, we focus less on the negative and more on our moments of success, kindness and gratitude. We approach life with the confidence to go for what we want. When I first tried this a few months ago, I found myself less anxious and plans seemed to fall into place. Things did just work out. Was this because I was suddenly a luckier person? Or was I just approaching life with fewer expectations and more confidence?

It’s the most common advice in the world, but hearing “be confident” is unhelpful, vague and harder than it sounds. Lucky Girl Syndrome gives people a path to that confidence. It changes how we think about our lives and ourselves, which, in turn, affects the way we act and the way we’re perceived. Insecurities get in the way of our best selves all the time. Being nervous when meeting someone new makes us more likely to say something awkward. Overthinking a shot makes someone more likely to miss it. Confidence frees up attention to focus on things outside of ourselves. Whether it’s a conversation or a soccer game, things go better when we’re not inhibited by self-consciousness. We’re more likely to get out of our own way and take the risk if we believe it will work out.

What we call it doesn’t matter. Call it Lucky Girl Syndrome or determination or a positive attitude. Call it confidence or being a go-getter or manifestation. The truth is, calling ourselves lucky won’t make us any luckier. Luck, by definition, is random. What it might do is change how we see the world, and how we see ourselves. It might make us shoot for something that scares us or give us the confidence to be honest about what we want. It might help us keep going when things get hard and trust that we’re where we need to be. It might make us appreciate the good things just a little more. And it might get us out of our heads long enough to get out of our own way.

DESIGNER ALLY WOODRING

PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR AVERY CASSLER

ILLUSTRATED BY SOPHIE GRAHAM

WRITTEN BY RUBY JOYCE

THE LIMINAL YEAR

Riding the high of my decision to stop school, I burst my head through the car sunroof. A gust of air transcended through me and my eyes welled to brace the change. Wind ripped at my hair as streetlights straddled our car, pulsing to the beat of Frank Ocean’s Pyramids. Harmonized howls rippled off orange-lit tunnel walls and into the pinhole night of stars. Like crops set ablaze, I believe that when you have nothing you can have everything. Your potential is limitless, uncharted and hungry.

Spring of my junior year, I experienced the full definition of jaded. Imposter syndrome took attendance for me during Zoom university, as I battled through online courses like Communication Law and Japanese - courses that would’ve clicked if in-person were an option. Isolated, I struggled to feel a genuine connection to my peers and the material. I felt as if I was fumbling clumsily through classes, with no connection to clubs, or mentors. No direction after the imminent graduation in the coming year either. Time escaping, I felt unprepared and underdeveloped, losing out on opportunities that went to my peers due to lack of awareness and finesse. On autopilot, I struggled to identify the frustration as one of my own makings, or that of my circumstances as a first-generation college student.

Feeling like I was lacking in every respect and with permission of my scholarship, I withdrew for the fall term. A decision that blew into a year away from classes. After signing

a lease the winter prior, I was stuck to Eugene. Yet, it wasn’t a town, I witnessed the mental gymnastics of my friends graduating: hunting for cheap apartments in cities, massaging them through thesis papers and filling in Harvard resume templates. I indulged them in cruising of Eugene’s grandest neighborhoods, midnight sprints up one-way streets and sob-sessions about the pressure and eventual release of school. It sent me down a spiral of my own to observe the people I’d grown so much with finish an iconic era and move on. Their feelings grounded me to come back to university rigor and finish my own chapter. Learning beside my friends, I got to figure out who I was as an adult and who I wanted to be, rather than try to figure out how to adult in my childhood home.

Post-pause euphoria, I felt immense guilt, as my hardworking parents did not understand the burnout. Without any money saved up to fly anywhere and no path routed, I threw myself into odds and ends jobs. I drove up to Portland for photoshoots, donated plasma and delivered pizzas. I replayed familial patterns of struggle my parents entrusted me to break. In these curious gigs I idealized dream ways of making money, not recognizing at the time how my skills as a server translated into business to consumer communications as a PR specialist.

Cocooned from academia, I learned with leisure and without the pressure to succeed. I awakened passion projects of astrology newsletters and wrote short stories. I studied the

energetic presences of friends, and did rituals to bring out their highest potential from a spiritual awakening. I rediscovered my worth as an individual. I gave people time to reveal their influence on me. I learned how to validate myself instead of outsourcing that trust to others. I meditated during daily postworkout stretches. I got back into reading. I found a therapist to properly aid my cocktail of illnesses for the upcoming academic year. In that order, I nurtured myself into full bloom and returned to school this past fall.

Though an unprecedented break, it was essential to the reformation of who I want to become. A period of imploring daydreams and gathering life experiences that not only made my odyssey more enticing, but also gave me clarity of how I envision the happiest, highest version of myself. Surely a version of her exists on an Italian beach, shooting an espresso on her way to the office. Like flying a kite, I remain here, grounded to those dreams in Eugene.

Through this liminal year, I found that change is not dependent on a place, but rather the initiative to find the feeling. I found fulfillment by surrendering to my body over getting lost among the hustle. For 15 years straight I’d been a student, and it was due time to just be. By allowing myself space to breathe, I resigned from a survivalist mindset and ushered in a mindset of abundance. For a survivalist, the effort they make stems from scarcity: a fear of losing opportunities or scaring them off. To be abundantly aligned means to believe: if it doesn’t work out now, it doesn’t mean that it won’t work out later. Bloom in another environment or wait until a newseason. But it stems from the optimistic hope of blessings coming in their due time. Levitating out of school, I wasn’t attached to any outcome, but it doesn’t mean I was aimless. High ideals behind the wheel, I trust that my best outcomes are already on their way to me.

WRITTEN BY PAITRA DANIELS

ART DIRECTOR TATUM MUNDY

PHOTOGRAPHED BY EVAN SUSSWOOD MODEL

DANA SYLVESTER

PLAYLIST

CONNOISSEUR BRYNLI NELSON

DESIGNER

SOPHIE BRYAN

PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR AMANDA PARK & CHEYENNE COOPER COOPER

ILLUSTRATED BY KAITLYN CAFARELLI

WRITTEN BY MADISON DOOHEN

DESIGNER EMMA MCGONIGLE

’s CompliCat e d

Wemeet hundreds of people, each with their own identities. Many people go unnoticed as we go through our lives and focus on our own paths. This may be because there are many ways we unknowingly distract ourselves. Most of us, including myself, are consumed by our screens. They distract us while we are in class, while we walk, we have conversations with people that often go overlooked because we don’t give people our full attention. We immerse ourselves in influencers’ lives that we want to live, but as a result, we’re not actually living. Instead, we live a life of what-ifs. We set goals for future versions of ourselves rather than pressing play on the life we want.

We live our lives for an audience while hiding the genuine parts of ourselves. I’m guilty of this. Social media causes me to feel embarrassed or weird if I act a certain way that does not mold into the norm. Trying to imitate the people I see in the media because their life seems “cooler” than mine, causes me to act a certain way that gives a false representation of my personality. This pattern of imitation is a symptom of growing up in a technological era. We care more about who the Kardashians are dating or that Cody Ko finally got married, rather than caring about what is happening in our personal lives. This rolls over into how we treat platonic and intimate relationships. We allow negative social media habits to define what connections to pursue with others and what parts of our personalities they see. I’ve been applying this concept recently, and it’s brought many unexpected people into my life. By showing the people you meet your spunky, unique personalities, genuine connections are made. Being vulnerable has led me to the strongest friendships, where we have already made plans for

numerous “The Summer I Turned Pretty” plots. Everyone has those connections with people where they feel like they’ve known them their whole life.

I recently found myself single. It has been hard for me to put myself out there and try to make new connections. I am nervous about how I’ll be perceived (I’m a big overthinker). However, I’ve started getting back into the groove of letting loose to make those vulnerable connections. You are going to be who you are; some people will not vibe with you, but many will. It’s a surreal experience when you are your true self with someone and they instantly match your energy; this feeling is unfathomable.

Life is fleeting; do not let the influence of others determine who should or should not make you happy. The phrase “living in the moment” is overused but never acted on. Living in the moment consists of making connections with that random person you met at a coffee shop, that boy you met at a rave, that person you saw in passing on the way to class whose smile brought you butterflies. Let’s press play on getting off our phones to exchange smiles and conversations with people we walk by on the streets. Look around you and live a life of gratitude for the beautiful human beings you connect with. Let’s lead with our emotions and energies in this social media age!

This generation has ingrained in our brains that situationships are ‘normal’ connections to pursue. Situationships as in casual hookups, or being stuck in a constant “talking stage” with someone you vibe with, but do not want labels with. Lust encapsulates us all. Let’s face it, we all have our horny tendencies and

there’s nothing wrong with that. A random consensual hook-up is always exciting but there seems to be a common cycle of it going south when one side starts to let their emotions show. In relationships, platonic or intimate, emotions are what make the damn thing real.

But why do we let something so small as a ‘label’ determine what makes us happy? People avoid labels, especially on social media, because they create an added pressure that is not there without the title. Being seen as boyfriend and girlfriend can seem intimidating, but that’s only because we are worried about others’ perceptions of us. If we were to press play on our feelings and disregard the construct around labels, we may find it easier to be open to creating deeper connections.

We’re at a point in our lives when trying new things and seeing who makes us feel like our true versions of ourselves are necessary for our self-discovery. What is holding us back from making genuine relations with the people we want to? Real connections come to you with open arms, you just have to allow yourself to hug it back. Growth does not happen without exploring new directions and feeling uncomfortable. Let’s press play on dipping our toes in new, spontaneous waters to make the connections we’re meant to make; intimately and platonically.

Someone, right now, is out there waiting to have an authentic connection with you and it’s your turn to press play on searching for that with open arms. Alexa, queue “Someone New.”

CAREER (un)commitment

WRITTEN BY WESLEY JOHNSON ART DIRECTOR BOOCHIE POST PHOTOGRAPHED BY SAMANTHA JOH MODEL FIONA GIBBENS DESIGNER STELLA RANELLETTI

Picture this: you’re eighteen years old and applying to colleges, trying to pick a field that you can commit your life to. It feels like a marriage of sorts: once you make your decision, it feels irreversible. As life goes on, you realize that you’ll have to make many more of these decisions. What jobs do you take? What relationships do you have? Where do you sign your next lease? They all demand attention and commitment, and as I have progressed through my college years, I’ve realized, it’s not that serious.

External pressures never help: parents and friends asking you what school you’re attending, or what your post-grad plans are. The questions never seem to stop, and can easily make you question yourself on if this is truly a direction you feel an undying yearning to follow?

The amount of times I have wanted to radically change the course of my educational career are so innumerable I have lost count. It wasn’t until I was spiraling on the phone with my mom that she said to me, “Wesley, this isn’t permanent. Don’t feel like you have to sign your life away to a professional career.” That really struck a chord. The wildest part is, I had never thought of the possibility that if I wasn’t satisfied doing what I was studying, I could simply switch gears.

This is exactly what Stephanie Kimmel, the founding chef of Excelsior Cafe and Marché restaurant, thought when she left her Comparative Literature PhD program at the

University of Oregon to pursue her dreams of opening a coffee house back in 1972. After she got her undergraduate degree, she traveled around Europe, then decided to move to San Francisco. After living there for a year, she felt a pull to continue her education, and moved to Eugene for graduate school.

While attending school, Stephanie picked up shifts at a local cafe where many of the professors’ wives also worked. As time went on, she said “I loved reading and critical work, but I didn’t like a couple of my professors. And that made a huge difference.” So, she dropped out of the university and decided to open her own cafe, Excelsior, and “got bit by the restaurant bug,” she said.

After owning the cafe for a little over 20 years, Stephanie and her husband decided to sell it and open a French restaurant, Marché. Stephanie was inspired by the farmto-table environment that she had witnessed while traveling around France. Cautious, but never regretting her career change, Stephanie said that “depending on what your passion is and on what you’re drawn to, give it a try. If you decide that it wasn’t for you…you can just do something else.”

This may be easier said than done, and in practice, making a career jump can be a big financial gamble. If it doesn’t pan out, it can leave you disheartened and more broke than you ever were before. So, if you do find yourself going down a path that you know will ensure financialsecurity, don’t judge yourself

too harshly. Not everyone has the resources to drop what they’re doing to pursue a different career path. I do feel however, that it is just as important to nourish the soul as it is to fill your pockets. This is precisely why going into any one professional field doesn’t need to be viewed as a lifelong commitment.

Thinking back to when I was applying to colleges, I was so anxiety-ridden I was losing hair. It felt like I was signing my life away to a career path, when I was barely old enough to buy a lottery ticket, or get a piercing without parental consent. How could anyone expect me to dictate the trajectory of my life when I couldn’t even decide what to have for breakfast?

Remember that nothing is permanent. It’s okay for your interests to change, especially as you mature through different stages of life. Something you may be interested in when you’re 18 may not translate into your 20’s or 30’s. The beauty of life and interests is that they’re fluid; they transform as you mature. If you commit to one career path when you’re still a teenager, don’t beat yourself up for switching it up a decade down the line. You never want to feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle, so break it. Part of maturing is coming to the realization that nobody else knows what the f*** they’re doing. Or, if it makes you feel better, at least I know I don’t.

LET YOUR HAIR DOWN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARY GROSSWENDT ART DIRECTER & DESIGNER JADE MERVAR

WRITTEN BY FIONA ENGLISH MODELS PAITRA DANIELS, SACHIKO NISHIKAWA & EMMA BALLMAN

DOWN

We’ve all been there– your impulses have taken over at three a.m., and you’re cutting bangs yourself. “It is just time for a change,” you say; for some reason, there is something that makes it impossible for this change to wait until the next day.

Personally, I look back fondly on my days of having hot pink strands in my hair (inspired by punk princess Avril Lavigne). To me, pink hair dye was confidence you could buy from CVS. It made me feel free-spirited and young. For a long time, this hair color was my way of showing my carefree attitude to others when meeting for the first time.

I have had my fair share of impulsive hair decisions. During the height of COVID, I went through box dye after box dye until I ended up with a head full of shoulder-length, muted orange hair that was anything but flattering. In retrospect, it was a poor decision. However, it reflected where I was in life at the time. I was on the edge of adulthood, spending most of my time in online classes. My sense of identity was completely shot. It was as if I had outgrown my old self but I had no idea who I was growing into. These feelings were reflected in my hairstyle at the time. When I look back at photos from that time, I look nothing like myself— which is because I felt so unlike myself.

Two years later, I have reverted back to the long, dark blonde hair that has been my default throughout my life. By trial and error, I have learned what suits me best and what I feel my best in. I no longer desire to experiment with crazy colors and spontaneous haircuts. My preference for my natural color most likely translates to the stability that I now feel in my life. My nineteen-yearold self is much more comfortable in the life that I’ve built versus the life I was living at seventeen, and this was reflected in my hair choices.

Hairstyle choices can not only be used to reflect one’s identity but also one’s emotions. Consider the classic trope of cutting your hair after a painful breakup. Coco Chanel was once famously quoted when she said, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” A drastic hair change is one of the easiest ways to tell the world you are experiencing change. It can also give you confidence and a sense of power or rebellion.

The idea that hair holds deep significance is not uncommon. In fact, this idea is reflected in many different ways all over the world. In Indigenous culture, it is often a tradition to cut your hair and bury it when a loved one passes away. This is because Indigenous people believe that your hair is a physical manifestation of your spirit. In some tribes, cutting your hair represents parting with past values and starting over.

Throughout history, there have been many beliefs that hair can hold negative or positive energy. In the Bible, when Delilah cut Samson’s hair in his sleep, it is said that all of Samson’s strength and power was taken away. On the other hand, some people believe that cutting your hair after a traumatic event can make you feel lighter, because the trauma is stored in your hair. In fact, this idea has been trending on social media lately– the term “hair holding trauma” has over ten billion views on TikTok.

If you’ve been thinking about making that big chop or hair color decision but haven’t pulled the trigger, consider this a sign. Your hairstyle contains more significance than you think. By expressing yourself through your outer appearance, you just might find harmony with your inner identity. Life is far too short to hold back from authentic self-expression.

FASHION FORWARD

moving the needle on menswear

Since I was nine years old, I’ve been afraid to wear dresses. Conservative Vietnamese families will do that to you: instill insecurity toward an idea or object. I remember my Seattlite Aunt telling me that wearing long socks was for girls and forcing me to drink three glasses of milk each morning. She wanted me to grow strong and successful like the men on American TV: the Schwarzneggers, the Bushes, and the Jobs.

Since then, my style has completely changed. Transitions in trends and unapologetic expression have influenced the speed and comfort at which I express myself stylistically. The image of the Abercrombie model is no longer ideal, and the men on TV are confident enough to wear dresses. I wish that nine-year-old me knew what menswear looked like today, because maybe he’d be wearing Rick Owen’s KISS Heels right now.

Google’s definition of menswear is clothing for men. Quite a robust definition. When thinking of menswear, various examples of timeless styles come to mind. Rugged Levi’s Painters, an Americana classic. In Japan, the Ametora ShibuKaji movement, where warrior-style gangs adorned with Air Max 95s and Avirex Leathers, ran rampant through the streets of Harajuku.

Omar Vega, the operations manager of Porterhouse Clothing and Supply in Eugene, OR, weighs in on timeless menswear rooted in Americana. Porterhouse’s storefront has a curated aesthetic: earth tones broken up by navy selvedges and jet-black leathers. “Menswear is practical clothing that transcends the trend cycles,” says Vega, a Eugene native and UO graduate with a Bachelor’s in Advertising. His time with Porterhouse has accredited him with a deep understanding of the roots of Americana. “History tends to repeat itself. I think the future of menswear will be rooted in the past of menswear.”

BY ELIJAH RUSSELL ART DIRECTOR FIONA GIBBENS MODEL & WRITER JOSH DUONG-TRAN PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR DEAN GRIFFIN DESIGNER PEYTON MCQUIAN

Old Americana fashion has numerous influences, but Europe is the most notable. After the Spanish-American War, American elites traveled the globe, taking inspiration from fashion in Germany and Great Britain. American students abroad expanded upon the wardrobe of Oxford elites. The Prince of Wales was also a style influence at the time; magazines cataloged his every style. Vega reflects on the interpretations of old Americana in current trend cycles. “Timeless pieces, like raw denim, they’ve been in use since the 1920s and have yet o go out of style.” Washed Levis 515s are a canvas for GAP-wearing,

PHOTOGRAPHED

tote-bag-toting minimalists. Avant-garde incorporates essentials, both cropped and reworked, such as white tees and flannels.

So, the roots of menswear appear in present trends, but modernity rears its head in ways unfathomable in the 1900s. Are we truly moving forward in style if that movement can’t be tracked? Yes! Open a GQ article about menswear to find “Dries Silk Scarf! Tucked-In Everything! Freaky Footwear?”

Jillian Peffer, co-owner of a denim-resale shop in Eugene, weighs in on her stylistic interpretations of present menswear. “I feel like a lot of people wear oversized and baggy - both men and women,” says Peffer. In the cut-and-sew fashion industry, progressive piece selection causes menswear to align closer with androgyny, or both masculine and effeminate.

Androgyny in menswear is not a foreign concept. We’ve seen it with Young Thug donning Alessandro Trincone for the JEFFERY album cover, and MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul, arriving at MAMA 2020 in a tactical vest. And yet, the average style is still exceedingly normative: a white t-shirt, blue skinny jeans and white shoes. The bareness behind the evolution of this style ties back to machismo and toxic masculinity. Marc Green, a sociology professor at the University of Richmond, describes the phenomenon, which he has termed: The Man Box. “The frame of the Man Box is made up of comparison, competition, and hierarchical performance among men, by men, and for men” (Green, Marc, 2013).

Hegemonic masculinity is a style influence in itself, limiting the evolutionary course of menswear. “I think in Eugene and Portland, there’s a lot of people trying to do too much with their fashion,” Reese Taylor, an East Coast culture enthusiast, said. “I think simple is better because you don’t have to worry about what you wear.”

In the context of the Man Box, fashion is impractical. It’s nerve-racking to break out and express yourself. Especially in smaller

cities like Eugene, turning heads can feel uncomfortable. However, the selflove we receive for it is evident, noticeable, and valuable. “It’s refreshing if you wear something more avant-garde. Smaller communities need more diversity in how people express themselves,” said Omar.

I’m not sure if I’m comfortable enough to wear dresses. Maybe it’s my insecurities. Maybe I still haven’t left the box. But I doubt the world’s opinion will matter when I slip on that wild outfit: the Yohji long skirt and CDG buttonup. The needle has moved. The fashionable man defies stereotypes ingrained in hegemonic masculinity. I’m free to try whatever style suits my fancy. My outfits aren’t authentic until I take them outside, so what am I waiting for? Now is the time to experiment - be it in a suit, a skirt, or something fancier - and crush it.

WRITTEN BY AARON GEORIS ILLUSTRATED BY MICA DELGADO DESIGNER ADIA BAINES PLAYLIST CONNOISSEURS BELLA THOMAS & LUCY MENENDEZ

Step 1: Why climb big walls?

So there’s a big wall before you. Why don’t you just turn around and go home? It would be easier than figuring out a way up, that’s for sure. Or, you could stay, take a deep breath, and suit up in your climbing gear–get your harness on, lace up your shoes, and flake your rope. After all, you’ll be able to see so much from way up there.

Step 2: Make sure you’re ready.

Are you sure you’ve thought this through? You’re about to embark on a journey that might take hours, days, or even weeks! Do you have the proper experience and training? Do you have all the gear you need? Doublecheck that you have a good rope, harness, belay device, enough and adequate protection, slings, extra carabiners, a Personal Anchor System, a helmet, shoes, chalk, and some snacks and water. While climbing

big walls can be incredibly enjoyable, it can also be risky. Make sure you know what you’re getting into. And once you’re confident and prepared, then get excited. You’re about to have a blast.

Step 3: Find a partner you can trust.

Nobody climbs big walls alone. Before you or your partner(s) begin climbing, each person is going to tie into the climbing rope, and you won’t untie until you’re safe at the top of the wall. Climbing as a team means having confidence that you and your partner(s) can provide each other with mutual support, protection, advice, and care. At every moment, you’re trusting your life to your climbing partner(s). It’s crucial to have good communication, similar values and goals, and a system of support that can motivate you, especially in

those moments when you can’t motivate yourself. While climbing, you’re going to find yourself well above the comfort of the ground. It can take a while to become okay with this feeling. Luckily, you aren’t alone up there. When you’re feeling that fear, check in with your climbing partner(s). They’ll remind you that you’re tied into them, and they aren’t going to let you fall to the ground. Sure, youmight slip and fall to your last piece of protection. But if you trust your partner, they will always catch you. One of the best parts of climbing big walls is that you’re never alone up there.

Step 4: Pick a big wall to climb.

Sometimes this step occurs before steps one through three. Sometimes there’s a big wall you feel you must climb, and only then do you begin preparing and finding a climbing partner. You can climb walls that are too easy, walls that are right around your level of preparedness, or even walls that push you significantly out of your comfort zone. Sometimes a friend might suggest a wall for you to climb. There’s no single right big wall to pick, but keep in mind that it’s often on the biggest and scariest walls that we learn the most about ourselves—it’s here that the real growth happens.

Step 5: Gear up and start climbing.

So you’ve decided to climb a big wall, you’re prepared for the journey, found your partner(s), and decided upon an appropriate big wall to climb. Now, you have to climb it. Once you arrive at the wall, look up. Wow, that’s a long way to the top. Keep in mind, with every pitch of the climb you’re gonna inch towards the top,

and all the way up there you’ll be able to see much more thanfrom where you started. So get your gear on. Tie into your end of the rope, ensure you have all the appropriate equipment, and then doublecheck everything with your partner(s). Let themknow you’re going to climb, and wait for them to confirm that they’ll catch you if you happen to fall. Once you’ve doublechecked everything, take a big breath, and start climbing. The next time you stand on solid ground, you’ll be a stronger version of yourself.

Step 6: Climb. Pitch by pitch.

In climbing, a pitch is a section of the wall that you and your partner(s) can climb with a single length of rope. Oftentimes pitches end and begin at natural ledges or breaks in the climb. These inbetween moments serve as natural rest stops in the climb. Utilize them. Drink water, take some deep breaths, and look around. Even after the first pitch, you might be so high up that you surprise yourself. In these moments, let your accomplishments sink

in. Whether you cruised upthis particular pitch or repeatedly fell at the crux, you’re now one pitch closer to having climbed a big wall. At the top of each pitch, look down and see how far you’ve climbed. Then, look up and take in the view. The world will look so different from up here. Sometimes this new perspective is all you need to motivate you up to the next pitch.

Step 7: Keep climbing till you reach the top.

Some big walls are bigger than others. Some you might climb in a matter of hours. Others take longer, and including planning and reflection time, some

big wall climbing experiences can last a lifetime. Whether you’re climbing a shorter or taller wall, keep going, pitch by pitch, till you reach the top. Once you’re all the way up, tie-in to your anchor and take a deep breath. You’ve done it! Once your partner(s) reaches you at the top, give them a high five or a hug. Remember, you didn’t climb this big wall alone.

Step 8: Soak it all up.

Don’t rush down! Sit up top for a while and enjoy the view. You’ve accomplished something amazing, and your hard work is paying off. You’re probably enjoying a remarkably beautiful view up there. You might be

exhausted, exhilarated, or emotional. Most likely, you’ll be feeling all of that and more. Soak it all up, and give yourself a pat on the back.

Step 9: Reflect.

You’ve just accomplished something amazing. Tell your friends and family. Be proud of yourself. Climbing big walls can be equal parts terrifying and rewarding. If you’re like most other climbers though, you’ll realize how monumental climbing a big wall can feel. In fact, after feeling your feet on solid ground for a while, you might even want to do it all again.

Climbing big walls provides an unparalleled opportunity for intermingling fear, excitement, trust, strength, peace, and growth. As you move forward as a climber in life, keep in mind that big walls always look so much smaller from the top.

Would you ever consider joining a band with a man? Why or why not?

The first band I was in was all men, besides me actually, and it overall was a really good experience while I was in the band. I don’t think that any of us are particularly against the idea of being in a band with some men, but I know that we have all been deeply disrespected by men in the music scene in Eugene, so we do have some reservations. There have been moments of misogyny, oversexualization, crude/crass commentary, and general belittlement from some men in the scene, both as other musicians and as attendees. I feel as though am not often taken seriously by guys in the little industry in Eugene, so I’m really grateful for my bandmates in GrrlBand because they have all shared similar experiences, in some capacity or another, which means that we’re all constantly aware of these issues and can actively try to combat them with each other and other bands. It’s not all men, but it’s enough to warrant some hesitation.

- Codi Farmer

Were you ever involved in any bands with all men? How was that experience?

Having had my first experience in a band at the ripe age of 15, and it being male dominated, it was quite intimidating to have those two aspects brought together. That being said, it was beneficial because I got

BY

an interview

exposure and a better understanding of how these dynamics work. It really made me realize how important band dynamics are and how one creepy person can throw off the whole vibe. There was one member who not only did not take my input at face value, but they consistently made me feel uncomfortable about my general autonomy as a woman. They wanted all of us to strip on stage and show skin, but the looming concept of the female guitarist being in the mix seemed to offset their “vision”.

- Louise Jones

You have a very strong sense of style as a band. Who are your style icons?

You have a very strong sense of style as a band. Who are your style icons?

I take a lot of inspiration from the 1960s and 70s counterculture movement in America. It is a period of history that I have studied a lot, and I try to replicate that with a lot of my outfits. I also just try to have fun with it, so I wear a lot of bright colors and patterns. My style icons are Debbie Harry from Blondie, George Harrison, and lots of musical artists that I like. I just try to dress wacky and have fun with it!

-Kayla Krueger

Who has inspired your music?

Who has inspired your music?

We are really inspired by the Riot Grrl movement, and a lot of super powerful female rock icons, like Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Pat Benetar, Heart, Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, and Mannequin Pussy, just to name a few!

- Kayla

Krueger

Are there issues you face that are unique to an all girl band? If so, how are those issues defined by the gender your members identify as?

how are those issues defined by the

As one could imagine, in an industry that’s male dominated, and a society based on a gender binary; the discrepancies in the treatment of artists based on gender are vast. With our band in particular, we have definitely faced some gender based discrimination, in both passively and in outrightly aggressive ways. On many occasions we are discredited for our talent, efforts, and time, all due to the fact that we are women. When it comes to sound-checks and set up before shows, there have consistently been times where we are not listened to. Our questions and concerns aren’t answered, and we have had multiple sound issues at various shows because of it. Now, there is always room for error, we are human, and sometimes shows just don’t go smoothly, but when it’s at the hands of those organizing because they’re unable to work with or listen to the band that they hired… it’s disappointing to say the least. Another source of contention as an all female band is keeping up with appearances and saving face in the name of Grrlband. When we face these instances of poor treatment, and being discredited, it’s truly a double edged sword in the way we respond. On one hand, it’s important to handle things cordially, but on the other hand it’s important to allow people to stand up for themselves against poor treatment. The dichotomy of not wanting to be “bitchy” but not wanting to let people walk all over you is something I feel most assertive women have a hard time dealing with. Nonetheless, we as a band will always put our best foot forward in dealing with the negative parts of the industry. But, at the end of the day, what matters is we care about one another and will constantly work to uplift each other and other female/non-binary queer fronted groups.

- Claudia Santino

- Kayla Krueger

- Kayla Krueger

- Louise Jones

QUAYE MEADOW & ALI WATSON

ART DIRECTOR

LINDSAY ROGERS

DESIGNER

SOPHIE SARGEANT

with

MODELS CAMY CORCORCAN, LOUISE JONES, KAYLA KRUEGER, CLAUDIA SANTINO & CODI FARMER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALI WATSON

As a kid growing up in the South, country music was no stranger to my daily car rides. Listening to Taylor Swift’s debut album at age four, I danced to the revenge soundtracks like “Picture to Burn” and sang along to the heartfelt ballads like “Tim McGraw.”

Vivid moments of Swift’s music echo in the background of the most pivotal minutes of my life: her debut album on repeat through the road trip to first meet my adopted sister, listening to Red with my late grandfather in his rusty Chevy pickup, screaming to Reputation on road trips with my best friend.

pressing play on a household name

WRITTEN BY PEYTON HALL ILLUSTRATED BY SIERRA BAKER DESIGNER MEGAN LEE

It’s time to press play on Taylor Swift, explore some of her musical eras, and continue the discussion about women in the music industry.

Swift’s published music era began in 2006, when she released her self-titled debut album with Big Machine Records. The album featured 15 tracks, including her first single, “Tim McGraw.” 16-year-old Swift almost immediately became a well-known name in country music, opening for big names like Rascal Flatts, George Strait, and Keith Urban.

Swift’s second era came about in 2008, with the release of her second album, Fearless. Hits like “Love Story,” “Fearless,” and “You Belong With Me” are notable, even to those who aren’t major Swifties. Swift’s sophomore album was also when she started picking up more criticism. A major example of this was the 2009 VMAs, where Swift won Best Video by a Female Artist and Kanye West took to the stage to interrupt her acceptance speech to say that Beyoncé should have won.

The superstar’s next era, aesthetically, is very similar to the first and second. Speak Now, Swift’s third studio album, was released in 2010. This era, which is characterized by the color purple and songs like “Dear John,” “Speak Now,” and “Enchanted,” was the first in which her album was solely written by herself.

After Speak Now, there was a slight shift in the genre of Swift’s music. Slowly, she evolved from country to a more pop-country sound, with her fourth studio album, Red. Songs like “22,” “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” and “Red” hit the Billboard top charts. This was also an era where her critics got louder, especially those saying that she should just stick to country music. Nevertheless, Swift continued to explore the bounds of the genre and beyond.

Named after her birth year, Swift’s fifth studio album, 1989, was a headfirst experiment into pop music for the singer-songwriter. And it paid off — the album accrued 10 Grammy nominations and 3 awards. After this era, Swift retreated from the public spotlight, partially due to controversy with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian and lyrics in West’s song “Famous.” Following over a year away from the public eye, Swift dropped Reputation.

Reputation, which was released in 2017, was largely deemed unsuccessful by critics in the industry, as it only received one Grammy nomination. Many fans today, however, disagree with this sentiment. And despite what critics say, her Reputation tour broke records as the most successful tour at the time (this would later be broken by her 2023 Eras tour).

Swift emerged into a new era with the release of her first album independent of Big Machine Records with her seventh studio album, Lover. In this era, Swift released her documentary, Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince, and finally broke her silence surrounding politics. For over a decade before, Swift had not involved herself in politics in an effort to be

appealing to a large fan base. In this era, she took to social media to denounce GOP politicians Marsha Blackburn and Donald Trump. In addition to a direct statement via social media, the fourteenth track of Lover, “You Need to Calm Down,” seemed to make a direct statement to those in opposition of LBGTQ+ rights.

A prevalent critique of the pop star is that she only makes political statements when they seem to be beneficial to her career. Examples of this can be seen when Swift made her Lover era into her political era, yet did not make direct statements around prominent social movements and events later on, like the mass denial of COVID or the extreme advancement of antitrans legislation in recent years. Yes, musicians aren’t politicians, but Taylor Swift has the ability to influence millions of people, and letting her fanbase know that she supports things like human rights could create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

Swift began writing her eighth album days into the pandemic. Releasing two albums within the course of a year, she dove into a more indie and folk sound, hence the album titles, Folklore and Evermore. Despite these albums taking a more fictional approach to songwriting, many argue that these albums are more personal than any of her previous works.

Most recently, Taylor Swift has released Midnights, her tenth album. Exploring a more electronic, synthetic pop sound, the album features hits like “Anti-Hero,” “Bejeweled,” and “Karma”. And shortly after releasing the album in October 2022, Swift began The Eras Tour, a live celebration of her music career so far. Playing to sold out stadiums, crowds of Swifties gather in community to scream-sing their favorite tunes, trade friendship bracelets, and cry to some of the songs that raised them.

Swift is a musical icon of our generation and holds a lot of weight within the music industry. Just look at the Ticketmaster war over unreasonable fees that brought upon numerous Senate hearings in an effort to evoke change in the monopolized industry. And as incredible as it is to have a woman over the age of 30 lead the popular music industry, it is important to recognize the privilege that she holds. The level of recognition that is brought to her work should also be brought to musicians of color, to openly queer and trans musicians, to disabled musicians, to musicians building work in non-mainstream genres.

No More Mourning the Morning

There are typically three ways we break up the time of day: morning, afternoon, and night. Morning, regardless of what time that may be for you, is the initial start to your day. Some would argue that the morning can make or break your day. People’s start to the morning may look different every weekday, but as students, school usually provides us with a weekly routine.

Routines can be something you hate to love or love to hate. They can be boring or beneficial, but ultimately, they are what you make of them. Oftentimes having negative associations, as they tend to give the impression of being stuck in time. Doing the same thing over and over again may seem repetitive. However, you can choose to look at it differently. Whether that be completing the same tasks every morning, or no routine is your routine, whichever it may be, it can provide more freedom. That could be freedom for the weekend or freedom for the next part of your life.

Students occupy busy lives. Socially, academically, and personally, we are constantly engaged. Usually, we take advantage of every spare moment we have due to the hecticness of our lives. This is why the morning can provide a sense of stability, enabling you to embrace wherever the rest of the day, week, or months to come may lead.

When asking students what significance their morning patterns have, Katie Berneking, a senior, says, “My morning routine really establishes how well the rest of my day is going to go. If I start it off really well and right, it’s going to put me in a better mood and make me more motivated to do more things.” We all have those days that just seem like nothing is going right. But, when a morning is efficient, the rest of the day typically tends to follow.

On the other hand, a morning schedule may not be crucial for others. Connor Henkle, a senior, says, “If I don’t always stick to a set morning routine, it doesn’t have a big effect on the rest of the day. But, I do notice I have extra energy to start off the day once I meet all my necessities. So I’d say a medium to low influence.” What works for some, may not always work for others. A large part of us may lay in the same category as Henkle. When your days end up looking different, so will your mornings.

For many University of Oregon students, having an active morning, whether that be going on a walk outside or making your way to the rec, is the most effective use of time. Brian Hamlin, a junior, says, “I usually get out of bed just before 7 am and do a set of pushups and situps, drink a protein shake, and then go to the gym.” Getting active in the beginning of your day can eliminate the stress of making time later. The benefits of being active first thing in the morning are countless: increased alertness, more energy, better overall mood, improved sleep, etc. (1).

Self-care is also a consistency in morning routines amidst students. Sophomore, Maggie Combs’ morning consists of doing a skin care routine, putting on makeup, fixing her hair, and picking

out an outfit. Combs says these steps are important for her self-care. Self-care can look different for everyone. It can be taking the extra 15 minutes to get ready for class in the morning, a phone call home, making your bed, or having that cup of coffee! Regardless of what it may be for you, taking time to care for yourself can make all the difference in your life.

Morning person or not, finding out what works for your day can be integral to your well-being. Habits can be hard to break but making the changes to impact your routine will be beneficial. Diego Marquez, a junior, says his goal is to become more efficient in the mornings. Marquez makes emphasis on spending less time on his phone and putting that time to better use. Studies have shown that by going on your phone first thing in the morning, you are skipping important states when going from being asleep to awake. By skipping these states, you are setting your brain up for distractions (2).

It is important to recognize how a simple change can make a difference and allow you to keep moving forward with your day. At the end or the beginning of the day, taking action during the time you have and making the best of what is there allows you to get the most out of yourself. Do you know what works for you? In order to find out what may be the most advantageous, trying out new routines or tweaking one thing for another is valuable. This can help find what gives you the greatest impact at the start of your day!

Resources

https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/working-out-in-themorning#benefits

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/02/whyyou-should-stop-checking-your-phone-in-the-morning-and-what-to-doinstead/?sh=4bac6e5e2684

WRITTEN BY JOSIE WILLARD

ART DIRECTOR

MIRA EAGAN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PARKER BELL MODELS

CHI-AN LU, AMELIA KENNEDY, ISABELLA MORGAN, ALVIN LEVIE, CAROLINE RUSCH, CHANYN JAMES, CHLOE ROMAGNOLO & KIMBERLY MORRIS DESIGNER

PAYTON ALONZO

“Habits can be hard to break, but making the changes to impact your routine will be beneficial.”

I am what I Wear!

Fashion, like all parts of culture, is victim to cyclical patterns and stagnant periods. The rise and fall of trends, like the wide-flare pants of the ‘70s or the bejeweled, patterned long sleeve tops of the early 2000’s, are all back in style, awaiting a pair of fresh new eyes to revamp them. Over the last few decades, there has been a newfound interest in the trends of the past. Fashion influencers have traded in their neon bodycon dresses and zebra pants for knee-length shorts, white tees and cowboy boots. These looks, now worn by Bella Hadid, are inspired by Jennifer Aniston in the ‘90s. Those tired of buying from fast fashion companies look elsewhere for unique and innovative styles, and many have found that what they look for lies within.

Many of us, bored and forcibly indoors, found new ways to entertain ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, thrifting became a modern and trendy way to buy clothes. Thrifting clothes allows buyers options. Buyers can keep the pieces they find, resell or flip them. Social media became obsessed with buying so-called “ugly” pieces and layering them to perfection or taking the clothes apart to make something entirely new. In search of places to shop that dare to break away from the micro-trends of Shein and Zara, “thrift flipping” became an avenue of selfexpression.

The rise of TikTok gave those with a talent for thrifting a perfect platform to broadcast their work. The internet quickly realized there was a way to take a relatively affordable alternative and design something on par with what is seen on the runway. Generation Z, in the fashion world, has made moves to solidify the idea that

beauty is relative and in the eye of the beholder. No idea is a bad one, in fact, a style currently viewed as out of date may be on the runway tomorrow.

Thrift flipping returns the power to the consumer by offering a way to shop without giving into the materialist consumer culture. It affords shoppers the opportunity to do whatever they like with what they buy and encourages quality over quantity. The satisfaction of creation and a personalized wardrobe outweighs the need to fit in with a specific look. It’s your look.

Because thrifting is a cost-effective opportunity to get creative, it is an enticing hobby. However, the act of thrifting can easily become an unethical one. Making thrift stores our primary source of shopping for the sole purpose of thrift flipping or reselling pieces takes away from communities that need these affordable options. Low income communities rely on thrift stores to provide clothing options within their price range. To thrift flip ethically, it’s important to be mindful of how much we are purchasing with the purpose of making a profit, especially when others may not have the luxury to do so.

With carefulness in mind, there is no reason not to participate. Thrift flipping fosters a culture of individuality and encourages people to wear whatever they want to. It allows us a way to get out of our comfort zone and add a touch of ourselves into what we wear. The clothes we wear, especially if they are redesigned by us, are a reflection of our personal taste and all that makes up who we are. Clothes can speak for us. So, why not make the conscious decision to present ourselves exactly as we are: our most authentic selves.

WRITTEN BY LILI CALJONE ILLUSTRATED

BY AUDREY TYLER DESIGNER EMMA MCGONIGLE

(dis)connecting through headphones

Micro or macro? Over the ear or under the ear? Under $50 or over $500? The duality of headphones applies to the fashion world as well as the college campus. Headphones are simultaneously a promoter and inhibitor of communication. The act of wearing headphones is a statement – while the headphone wearer is tuning into another world, they are plugging out of the present.

During Milan Fashion Week 2015, Dolce and Gabbana flaunted blingedout headphones in glamorous shades. One headphone had faux fur protruding from the sides, and another was deep red with golden, crown-like spikes. The images are similar to earmuffs in aesthetics. The headphones, acting as accessories, complimented the stylish outfits on the runway. Eight years ago, Dolce and Gabbana ushered in the normalization of over the ear headphones as a glamorous accessory, a statement piece and part of the wardrobe. Dolce and Gabbana’s headphones retailed at $8000. The headphones spanned beyond the wardrobe as a piece of technology to visibly display wealth.

With blocky, chunky over the ear headphones, it is clear that the listener is tuning into a different world. Whether it be a positive podcast or a Taylor Swift song, headphones transport the listener to a new reality. One example of such headphones

is the Apple AirPods Max. In a variety of chrome-enhanced colors, AirPods Max retail at $499.99. Social media, especially TikTok, featured videos entitled “that girl” or “clean girl”, accompanied with creators sporting slicked back hair and over the ear headphones. With the Apple AirPods Max, it is acceptable to show the world that you are listening to something else. The luminescent metallic shades command attention and acknowledgment of willingness to spend upwards of $500 on headphones.

A spike of serotonin hits when a friend waves at me, actively removing their headphones to greet me. I become a priority, taking a precedence over whatever my friend is listening to. Conversation is sparked and humanity is proven to be alive and well. The social aspect of headphones is also a juxtaposition. Adding the inhibitor of headphones, one must make an effort to communicate with others, like saying “hello” to a friend. It is far easier to select what you hear and who you hear it from when headphones are part of the social equation.

I love to feel the breeze as I walk home after a long day of classes. The wind greets me head-on, filling my ears with the rush of nature. Someone may prefer to unwind by donning headphones and tuning out, not-so-subtly telling the world that

they are escaping to another reality – through music, videos or podcasts.

Headphones, like most pieces of technology, have their benefits and their drawbacks. Headphones fall at the intersection of fashion and technology. Now, headphones are accepted as accessories. Like all other material items, they are also a status symbol. By pressing play on music or a podcast, the headphone wearer is inevitably using their headphones to tune out and display its worth.

Now, any situation is appropriate for headphones – walking on the street, somehow evading traffic, sitting in class – all situations where social connection is cut off. Leaving University Hall in early May, a pair of friends were speaking with each other. One friend was wearing metallic blue AirPods Max while engaging in conversation with a friend sans headphones. It’s hard to tell if music is an activity to be enjoyed alone or with peers and friends. Imagine wearing headphones to a frat party on a Friday night –the situation determines the appropriateness of headphones.

The gradual shift on campus and chronicled throughout fashion weeks is the contrast between immediately noticeable over-the-ear headphones and minuscule earbuds.

Music also offers a significant boost in energy and mood. When I slip on my headphones in the comfort of my dorm room, and I turn up Hamilton, I am energized to finish my essay. Music does not have to be solitary, either. I do not need my chunky, over the ear headphones in Zumba classes. Collectively, my peers in the Rec Center’s weekly Zumba dance to one song. Humans have five senses, a fact which diminishes when one wears extraterrestrial-esque headphones. A choice must be made –tune into engaging music and podcasts through headphones or seek inspiration from reality? Perhaps sometimes it is worth sacrificing the fashionable aesthetic of headphones to promote human connection.

By turning up the volume and plugging into headphones, as a consequence, the surrounding world is tuned out.

ART DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER PAYTON ALONZO

MODELS

LINDSAY ROGERS, JOEY RYAN, ANA GASTELU, QUAYE MEADOW & JANAE MCINTOSH

WRITTEN BY BEATRICE KAHN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SOPHIA GREENE

RIZZ IS OUT

WHIMSY IS IN RIZZ IS OUT WHIMSY IS IN

WRITTEN BY MAYA MCLEROY ART DIRECTOR

AMA ALLEN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GUSTAVO DEL REAL FIGUEROA MODELS

AMANDA CHANG, MILLY GAMLEN, SOPHIE DAVIS, SAMANATHA JOH, ISABELLA CHIMIENTI & KEIR VAN NIEUWBURG DESIGNER

ALLY WOODRING

AsI flopped into bed on a Thursday night, my dorm room was illuminated by the red glow of my salt lamp. I turned to my roommate and began the nightly debrief. Our conversation soon turned towards dating, flirting, and boys, as conversations with me often do, and I asked her for her input.

“You know, Maya,” she said, “you don’t have rizz. You have whimsy.” I gasped. I had no rizz? In college? Some days, it seems like rizz is the most valuable form of social currency here.

I didn’t get what my roommate meant until I was at a house show, where fairy lights lined the room and the loud drawl of college bands played in the background, and I found myself Irish dancing in a circle with a line of men waiting their turn to spin me around.

After witnessing that night, I think anyone could say that I don’t have rizz. I don’t know how to bait, hook, line and sink. Following Urban Dictionary’s logic, I don’t “have game” or “get bitches.” I don’t follow the Bible of college attraction. I haven’t cracked the code of when to glance, touch, whisper, smile, swat, and, to be honest, learning how to do that now sounds like a lot of work.

So, I’ve hacked the system. Maybe unknowingly, but I hacked it nonetheless. Through trial and error and some embarrassing situations, I’ve found that there’s another way of attraction. And that’s throwing rizz—meaning calculation, games, and tactics that sometimes feel like you’re trying to win a war—out the door for a less intense, more authentic way of moving through the world.

Enter whimsy. A branch of the word “whimsical,” whimsy has been used throughout centuries in various ways. To describe children’s books and outfits and pieces of art, having whimsy really just means full, unabashed self expression. Being whimsical means being comfortable in being your authentic self. It means showing up fully dressed the way you want to dress. It means speaking your mind instead of nodding your head in polite agreement. It means knowing when to listen, because you never know how someone else’s whimsy can help you unlock your own. Some people you meet in life are so unapologetically themselves

These people serve as reminders, not blueprints. Our job isn’t to become them, but to notice the magnetism that comes with being yourself.

What makes you laugh—like full body cackle? Do you wear glitter on your eyes during the weekdays? Do you love how you’re caring, or how you don’t back down from a fight? Do you make your friends playlists and hum to the songs that are stuck in your head? Are you not afraid to say yes? Are you quick to laugh and forgive? Do you play “Stir Fry” by Migos after Fleetwood Mac when you’re on aux? Some will call that last one bad music taste. I still think it’s whimsical.

The main difference between whimsy and rizz is that rizz is focused on the other person. Rizz asks, how do I make myself seem cool or beautiful or mysterious or fun so that this other person is attracted to me? Whimsy, however, is focused on the self. Being whimsical means holding true to your spark and not conforming for the sake of being wanted or seen as beautiful. It may take a little longer for someone to be brave enough to approach, but I think having whimsy weeds out the people who aren’t really interested.

Whimsy attracts whimsy. Like attracts like. The other day at the river, there was a group of friends blasting country music on the shore. One of the guys found a bucket and took it out to the water, where he turned it over and perched on it to read his book. He was the memorable one, because he was simply doing what he wanted to do.

I promise having whimsy is more lasting than being pressed against a sweaty body in a frat basement, with a bunch of guys screaming “W RIZZ!” as you kiss someone. That is rarely good.

Being whimsical is a radical act in this world. So wear the red rain boots to a party. Break into a headstand every time the sun is out. Sing songs too loudly and keep that big fat smile on your face. Wear the ladybug dress with ribbons in your hair. Be whimsical, unwaveringly so. Forget about games. Or remember them, whatever your prerogative is. Having whimsy just means following your own path.

The right people will join along for the ride. And it’ll be a beautiful one.

ALL BEYOND

Turning the pages of a book, whether it’s with excitement or spite, opens the potential to explore new worlds completely unlike our own. Imagining yourself in a far off land or with someone completely new, the pages of a book hold new perspectives and even, if we look in the right places, inspiration.

DESIGNER MICHAELA HORVATH & SOPHIE SARGEANT WRITTEN BY AVA WEINREB ILLUSTRATED BY SYDNEY JOHNSON

While we may only think of the classics as books to be read solely in preparation for an exam, there is so much more to this novel than old white men and Iambic Pentameter. Author Mary Shelly tells us the story of Dr. Frankenstein, a scientist who has created new life in the form of a man.

While monstrous creations, murderous rampag es and evil brilliance may not be constants in the everyday lives of most people. Not all aspects of Shelly’s writing should be written off as fantastical stories. In Frankenstein, Shelly invites the idea that the monster, rather than the Doctor’s own creation, is an extension of himself, a side of himself he finds repellant.

Much like Dr. Frankenstein, it can be easy to only carry with us the parts of ourselves that seem most useful in our society Intense drive and motivation can engulf the other sides of ourselves that tell us to slow down, and listen. It can be so easy to forget the simple pleasures and what great potential we can find in listening to our joy.

After reflecting on this novel,I began to realize how we all hold different sides of ourselves, and we listen to some more than others. As we get older and begin to take with us more realistic points of view it is easy to begin to ignore the childlike sides of ourselves. The one that can imagine entire universes on the slide of a play ground and who believe that creatures like Frankenstein exist.

FRANKENSTEIN

JUST KIDS,

Written by

Patti

The memoir begins In Central Park, where a recently homeless Smith meets a boy who offers to take her to get the free leftovers from a sandwich shop down the street. And from that deli a forever bond with Mapelthrope was formed. Following their relationship to their first ever apartment, to their tiny studios built above the howling streets of New York. From their first successes as an artist, and their most devastating failures, all the way to Mapelthrope’s battle with AIDs in that ended in 1989.

A beautiful story of love, art and friendship, this book has moved me to tears more times than I would like to admit. Reading the way that Smith and Mapelthrope truly cared for each other inspired me to look intentionally into all the magical aspects of my friendships. I’ve learned to appreciate those who fill our cup when it’s empty and clean our rooms when it’s messy, as those are the friendships that we should nurture most. Your early 20’s hold some of the most unprecedented social opportunities. We are constantly meeting new people, making new connections and finding ourselves in situations where we are forced outside our comfort zones. It is important in transformational times like these that we find someone who we can find comfort, familiarity, understanding and mutual respect in these unprecedented stages.

Smith found this in Maplethorpe, writing “we wanted, it seemed, what we already had, a friend to create with, side by side. To be loyal, yet free”. Throughout Smith’s book she emphasizes the importance of the loyalty between her and Mapelthrope, as it is what made her feel like she could expand into the art world.

Finding and nurturing true friendships are what give you the power to spark new fires. They are your homebase. Your greatest supporters. The people who give you the push to explore the uncharted.

the artist

Smith : tells the life story of Smith and famous photographer Robert Mapelthrope.

Authored by Janisse Ray

Ecology of a Cracker Childhood Ecology of a Cracker Childhood

Growing up in rural Georgia, author Janisse Ray relays the story of her childhood upbringing. On a junkyard in a small house with her parents and her three siblings, Ray always enjoyed the hidden treasures of the junkyard. But, she especially loved the natural world she was surrounded by. Rolling hills once filled with Georgia Pines now lay low and sparkle with the pale yellow promises of next year’s peach harvest.

Ray, like many others, never knew of the amazing natural history of the land she called home. It was only after learning about the nature around her that she began to find her true calling, and face the complicated life that awaited her inside the small house on the junkyard.

“I search for a vital knowledge of the land that my father could not teach me, as he was not taught, and guidance to know and honor it, as he was not guided, as if this will shield me from the errancies

of the mind, or bring me back from that dark territory should I happen to wander there. I search as if there were peace to be found.” explains Ray.

Being in touch with the environment is one of the number one ways to reduce stress, feel grounded and learn to slow down the speed of our otherwise fast paced lives. As Ray has taught us, connecting with nature can be as easy as looking in your own backyard. Even sitting in the grass between tasks, eating your breakfast outside and taking walks with no plans or intentions helps recharge and reconnect with nature without having to stray from my everyday tasks.

It is time spent in nature that we understand the slow and intentional energy that keeps nature balanced. The same energy that you can channel into your work, your relationships and most importantly yourself.

Books will forever hold magical universes between its covers. However, it is how we apply these outlandish worlds to our own that show true lessons waiting to be learned, dreams to be explored and potentials yet to be tapped.

Old Gal Pals

WRITTEN BY QUAYE MEADOW ART DIRECTOR WALLIS BLIVIN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FEDDY TORRES

My mother often discusses her grief over the death of her best friend, a woman who painted nails for a living and smoked for a hobby. Her joy was my mother’s joy, and their suffering was shared and consoled over. When my mother’s friend passed, she felt that a whole part of her life had disappeared. I often wonder how I would handle that kind of grief.

Every woman relishes in their female friendships, but I often feel that we underestimate the love we foster in those relationships. Falling in love is not exclusive to romantic love, if anything, the most honest and authentic love is between

friends. Yet, most women rekindle their friendships with other women later on in life. They find that their romantic partners can only understand so much or they want a person who they can be themselves with, rather than the role of partner or mother.

When my mother first met her best friend, she was a young mother expecting another child within the year. They were neighbors in an older duplex on the far side of town. After moving away, my mother lost contact until a mutual friend recommended my mother make a nail appointment with a woman “she would absolutely adore.” It wasn’t until my mother went in for a nail appointment

that she realized she knew this woman. From then on, their friendship flourished. I recall my mother’s friend coming over frequently, whether to babysit me, have a glass of wine with my mother, or soak in the sun together. She would always take me to local ballet or symphony performances and gift me candies from stores like Home Goods or TJMaxx. She had a fondness for bland food and chocolate-covered sunflowers.

Growing up and witnessing my mother’s beloved friendship thrive after her divorce and struggle with addiction made me empathetic toward the experience of women aging. I once

PLAYLIST CONNOISSEURS ANNIE MCELROY & MARDI PFEIFER MODELS CAMILLE ANDREWS, NOLAN CRAWFORD, TAYA LLAPITAN &EMMA HIGHFIELD DESIGNER STELLA RANELLETTI

had an older professor tell me that aging has been the most powerful and heartbreaking experience. She said, “I’m practically invisible now” and continued to tell me stories of her ability to commit crimes of theft due to her new ability to remain unseen. Though she missed being heard and noticed, she relished in a sense of power in her invisibility. There was no longer a pressure to perform for anyone–a sense of freedom that women are often denied. I think this is the reason older women rekindle friendships later on in life. For them, their lack of social acknowledgment, either due to their inability to have children anymore or their physical age and shift from sexualized

beings, allows them the space to truly connect with their peers. There are no more expectations for them. Relief.

I often find myself overwhelmed by the pressure I feel as a young woman. We have to look a certain way, sexy but not too sexy. We have to be funny but not too funny. We have to be carefree and witty enough to entertain, but dumb enough to be desirable. But, we must also be maternal, caring, amiable, respectful, and most of all, obedient. I have a sense of excitement for the relief of aging as a woman. I know certain aspects will be difficult, but I also know I will relish in the company of other women who can

finally be something other than a mother, partner, or desirable being.

When I fantasize about my life as an older and, hopefully, wiser woman, I see myself laughing with my closest gal pals in a lush backyard. We will giggle like younger versions of ourselves and bask in our rekindled friendship. Aging as a woman doesn’t have to be the end of childlike wonder and joy. If anything, it is an opportunity to reclaim your power, time, and sense of self.

...if anything, the most honest and authentic love is between friends.

”

Do You Even Pod?

The voices in my head are not alone. Well, no ones’ are, really. Not when there’s music, YouTube or audiobooks to fill the ruminating void. More recently though I, and most people I talk to, have been turning to podcasts as a new in-ear companion.

But what’s all the buzz about? Why are people listening to podcasts or starting them in the first place?

Podcasts are still fairly recent news, with the media form being introduced in the early 2000s by Dave Winer and Adam Curry. The word itself blends “iPod” and “broadcast,” and was influenced by its radio show predecessors. There are a few key differences that exist between radio shows and podcasts though.

Radio shows tend to be geared toward a more broad audience, and account for less consistent listeners tuning in and out at various times during the show. They’re longer, and are typically attached to a station for their production and dispersal.

Podcasts on the other hand, are increasingly self-produced in personal spaces, self-edited, and then distributed via open platforms such as SoundCloud.

Nowadays, the distribution is where the two converge. Podcasters will often partner with a podcast company, which then makes the work available on Spotify, Apple Music, or other mainstream music and audio platforms. Some radio shows have even adapted to these platforms and uploaded specific segments as podcasts. For example,

the radio show, “This American Life” adapted into a podcast in order to keep its content competitive.

That’s all the technicals behind podcasts, but what really draws people to listen to them or even start their own?

Looking at the top podcast charts on both Apple and Spotify, there appears to be an equal mix of podcasts specific toward a niche, and others surrounding an individual’s personal brand. Personalities like Joe Rogan, Brittany Broski, Emma Chamberlin and Julia Louis-Dreyfus add another element to their media metropolises and overall image. While podcasts dedicated to a specific topic such as Ologies and CounterClock are more content driven.

There are lots of benefits to starting your own podcast. Monetary being one motivator. Joe Rogan is believed to earn $100k per episode and as much as $30 million per year from his podcast. Of course, this is an anomaly. But even smaller podcasts are able to benefit from revenue from ads, assuming you have a solid base of listeners.

Some podcasts are used, arguably, as launchpads for other projects or careers. Take “Call Her Daddy” for example. By using her podcast to initially occupy a niche of overt discussion of sexual relationships from the female perspective, Alex Cooper established herself as an internet personality and was able to step across industries to now take up space in the fashion and otherwise celebrity world as well. Other podcasts use the platform to promote their music,

essays, or market other elements of their personal brands.

Some podcasts, though, aim to educate and provide aid.

Olivia Jackson, sophomore, is an advertising major who is involved with the Student Voice, a podcast affiliated with the nonprofit, the Journalistic Learning Initiative, founded by SOJC faculty Professor Ed Madison. The niche of the Student Voice centers around providing high school age students with advice on how to make the most of their time and eventually transition into college life.

“I think it’s one of the more effective ways of storytelling,” Jackson said. “Sometimes just the candidness of tone and rambling, you can almost benefit more from.”

This podcast itself is tied to a class at the university. However, students are also able to reserve time in the studios to work on individual projects.

Frankly, the idea of sitting in a room, staring down a microphone, and talking about myself sounds intimidating. However, it also sounds soothing and a practice that could align itself with the same benefits that journaling and spirituality seek to achieve.

At the same time, there are also many concerns that arise over anyone being able to have a platform, and the potential for harm that comes under the umbrella of so-called free speech. Still, the freedom and availability with which podcasts are able to be created

comes greater opportunities for inclusion.

For me, and many I suspect, podcasts serve a multitude of purposes. They’re distractions and parasocial relationships. They’re a form of education. They’re an echo chamber to some extent. But, they’re also a way to consume the stories of others, a creative project with friends, and an invitation to talk and really listen to someone outside of an overwhelming 60 second Tiktok, Reel, or video that demands several avenues of attention at once.

They may be somewhat a shout into the void, but they can also be a reminder that we need not be alone with our thoughts. One only needs to find their audience.

WRITTEN BY JORDYN CENTERWALL ILLUSTRATED BY KY MYERS DESIGNER SOPHIE BRYAN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRANCESCA MILHIZER

MODEL SIMONE BAEZA DESIGNER JACK WHAYLAND

ART DIRECTOR EVA BRAZFIELD WRITTEN BY SYDNEY SEYMOUR

Young adults and college students are experiencing a surge of interest in philosophy, whether it’s conscious or not. Philosophy has become more common as more college students enroll in philosophyprograms (1). This surge is reflected in TV culture and the kind of media young adults engage with, specifically adult animated shows. Adult cartoons inspire the young adult audience to subconsciously consider philosophical concepts as characters encounter existential crises and moral dilemmas more often than not. Philosophy is not only considered a satisfying academic discipline but can be a prime tool for deepening mainstream media and distinguishing relevant information from a sea of irrelevance.

The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, Rick and Morty, and The Midnight Gospel are just some of pop culture’s animated TV series that incorporate philosophical content in a humorous way to entertain and educate. Mainstream media can inject philosophy into young people’s lives, seamlessly and subtly, without them even knowing.

In 1985, Neil Postman, an American media theorist and cultural critic, published Amusing Ourselves toDeath: Discourse in the Age of Show Business. Postman said print-based culture, unlike TV culture, prioritized the quality of information. He coined the term “infotainment” to describe how TV culture transformed every informative subject politics, culture, and education—into dumbed-down, dramatic entertainment (2). This resonates with irreverent South Park bits in which the gang faces the U.S. Border Patrol, initiates a Save the Orca campaign, and takes down a Walmart threatening local businesses. In Postman’s eyes, infotainment and TV no longer presented relevant information; they merely offered irrelevant entertainment. In today’s world, however, infotainment dominates mainstream media and popular culture, making it always relevant. Most young adults and college students would rather binge-watch Big Mouth to wind down than read a weighty educational book. By incorporating philosophy and its value into mainstream media, it enriches infotainment and TV culture. With the help of animation, philosophy transforms the mainstream media landscape by helping young adults form deeper understandings of themselves and the world.

Creators of adult animation frequently teach philosophical lessons and challenge ethics by placing their characters in real, meaningful, and funny experiences. Every episode needs to be funny, interesting, and relevant to popular culture to attract the mainstream audience. Interesting because of their vulgarity, absurdity, and shock value, adult animated shows remain relevant by addressing real-life people, public figures, events, and situations in a funny, anything-goes atmosphere.

Family Guy, The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Bob’s Burgers all feature a working dad, the beleaguered wife, a herd of kids, and an animal companion who dig themselves in and out of crises each episode. More recent shows like Rick and Morty and Bojack Horseman follow flawed protagonists who age and mature throughout each season. These shows explore mental health, depression, substance abuse, and even dementia in profound ways. Similarly, Big Mouth tackles deeper issues such as anxiety and sexuality but disguises these heavy topics in hormone monsters and sex pillows. All of these shows depict real, oftentimes reckless individuals who grapple with maintaining real relationships that come with real consequences. Ironically, by engaging with these cartoonish series, young adults can become more aware and open to addressing serious issues in their own lives.

These shows also illuminate ethical issues young adults encounter in the real world. They challenge social, political, ethical, and religious views by posing: what happens after death? What is the meaning of life? Why should we all keep

going? What is the nature of time and space? What is the nature of existence? Is time travel possible? Contrary to Postman’s theory of infotainment, contemporary TV culture actually prioritizes captivating concepts that resonate with young adults and college students.

Adult animation has undergone a fast evolution. It has moved beyond snarky, potty-mouthed humor, and has now become a sophisticated, beautiful form of storytelling. The genre’s boom occurred during the early 1990s with the groundbreaking success of The Simpsons (3). Following, Family Guy and King of the Hill became defining examples of the genre, captivating audiences with their witty and irreverent content. Since then, animators have pushed boundaries and transformed the perception of animated media from mere entertainment to a comedic, thoughtprovoking medium. Big Mouth, Bojack Horseman, and Rick and Morty catapulted a depressed horse, alcoholic mad scientist, and two pre-teens with talking pubes into the mainstream spotlight. Netflix’s most recent addition, The Midnight Gospel, answers existential questions and is based on audio clips from the freewheeling spirituality and religion podcast called the Duncan Trussell Family Hour.

Adult cartoons offer a seamless blend of relevant, informative, and entertaining content, providing a light-hearted sense of security to life’s fundamental issues and existential questions. While young adults laugh at the irreverence and slapstick humor, they subconsciously absorb the underlying messages

that the creators illuminate. What Postman failed to consider is that today’s young adults and college students engage with content in a complex and meaningful way. Philosophical content scratches the itch for a deeper level of understanding and creates a space for young adults to encounter and confront generational trauma, mental health, meaningful questions, and deep-rooted systemic issues with greater consciousness.

As adult animation grows into a $400 billion industry (4), other media mediums are likely to realize the power and profit from confronting relevant issues and teaching profound lessons. Creators use humor and animation to address serious matters in the real world. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, featuring an Afro-Latino Spider-Man, and Kid Cudi’s adult animated musical, Entergalactic, have already set a new precedent with what creators can achieve with animation, humor, and more. The media landscape has evolved into a more stable and well-rounded tool, enlightening viewers and encouraging them to have meaningful discussions on previously out-of-bounds topics like sexuality, race, depression, and substance abuse, which were lacking in mainstream media.

1. https://www.universityaffairs.ca/features/feature-article/is-philosophy-having-a-moment/

2. Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death. Penguin, 2010.

3. https://time.com/5752400/adult-animation-golden-age/

4. https://www.precedenceresearch.com/animation-market

The People Are Ready

to Feel Again

WRITTEN BY

AVERY OLSON ILLUSTRATED BY ELLA NOTDURFT DESIGNER MICHAELA HORVATH

There was a time in my life when seeing the newest Marvel movie was something I anticipated for months. It was a race between me and my peers to see the film before spoilers inevitably started circulating around the halls. Over the past few years, however, that attitude has completely shifted. Instead of hearing nonstop buzz for weeks leading up to the film’s release, people groan about having to relearn decades worth of lore before heading to the theater to watch yet another superhero take the screen.

Though these films still dominate the box office, a quick glimpse at audience reviews indicates that ticket sales don’t equate to quality. Reviews of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania call it a “CGI circus,” “underdeveloped,” and “lifeless,” earning it an abysmal 47% on Rotten Tomatoes. While it’s possible that the quality of Marvel films is merely in decline, it’s worth considering that viewers’ preferences are shifting away from unrealistic action thrillers.

The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged audiences to envelop themselves in the escapism offered by the rich world-building utilized in fantasy movies. It was fulfilling to watch a film that depicted a hero saving their city or the planet because, at the time, we all secretly hoped that a quick fix would end the pandemic and return our lives back to normal. Now that life revolves less around COVID, the general public has been inspired to regain control of their lives, and the highest-praised modern films reflect that.

The Banshees of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Turning Red were some of 2022’s highest-rated films, earning a respective 93%, 96%, and 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. At their core, they all tell the same story: a protagonist takes their life by the reins to establish their agency separate from their family, friends, and community. For most of the pandemic, we relied on people in power to bring us comfort, answers, and solutions, but they failed to do so. Now, audiences are moving away from relying on others and, instead harnessing their own agency to solve their problems.

What sets these films apart from the Marvel ephemera, aside from their respective genres, is that audiences finally see themselves represented realistically on-screen. Each of these films demonstrates the complete human experience, not just the aesthetically pleasing parts. Everything Everywhere

All at Once showcases a young woman, Joy, as she navigates the pressures of being the queer daughter of first-generation immigrants. The Banshees of Inisherin follows Pádraic as he deals with the insecurity of being abandoned by those closest to him. Turning Red focuses on Meilin, a Chinese girl who has to navigate the awkwardness of adolescence while also living up to the high standards her parents set for her.

When a viewer can look at a character and personally identify

with them and their struggles, the viewing experience doesn’t end when the credits roll. The film designates two hours for audiences to sit with their feelings and explore them instead of pushing them down to be dealt with later; an experience that seems to be few and far between for many.

It is the emotional nature of these films, however, that results in their poor performance at the box office in comparison to their blockbuster action-film counterparts. Viewers are hesitant to watch emotional films in theaters with a room full of strangers. When they know films are typically available for streaming within two months of their theatrical release, it feels worth the wait to ensure a private viewing experience.

The problem with this practice lies in the fact that films always make more money from theatrical releases than streaming releases due to the high fees studios have to pay to distributors for their films to be available. Therefore, box office performance remains of the utmost importance in determining whether or not a movie will turn a profit. Everything Everywhere All at Once ranked 27th at the domestic box office for 2022, right below Morbius, which has a whopping 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. The Banshees of Inisherin came in at 83rd and Turning Red received such an underwhelming response ahead of its premiere that its theatrical release was scrapped, resulting in a release straight to Disney+.

If the movies that have received the best audience feedback in the last year have indicated anything, it’s that movie fans are hungry for control, and the way to take back control is by seeing movies in theaters. Laughing, crying, and screaming alongside a crowd of other moviegoers can reinvigorate the film industry. Film is an art form, but Hollywood is a capitalistic institution; dollar signs will always take precedence over the quality of a film. To avoid another decade of half-baked action movies, the billionaires who own production companies need to see that audiences don’t want two hours of CGI overstimulation anymore; they want to feel something. Nicole Kidman said it best: “We come to [movie] theaters to laugh, to cry, to care. Because we need that, all of us.”

Building

Creating a time capsule filled with iconic personalized memorabilia is a summer camp experience I will never forget. We would include colorful friendship bracelets, polaroid pictures, and perhaps some dirt from the camp cabins into an old shoe box with a glittery homemade label titled “Best Summer Ever 2013!” Then, that old shoebox covered in adhesive rhinestones and mismatched stickers was left at camp so others could relive our “Best Summer Ever!” 10-year-old me believed that this time capsule would be monumental to my life. How could anything beat the euphoric feeling of summer camp?

As I continued to move through my life, I forgot about my beloved time capsule. The dirt-stained friendship bracelets were now a distant memory as I moved closer to my next big milestone. It’s true what parents say about growing up. It happens in the blink of an eye, yet as a kid time moved agonizingly slow. When I entered young adulthood, I felt time passing by like I was an outsider looking in on my own life. I wanted my life to be pictureperfect, filled with exciting events, and constantly awaiting the next big moment to look forward to. Whether it was a vacation, graduation or holiday, my mental clock was always counting down until I could get to my next event.

If I were to create a time capsule of some of my most prominent memories, I find that they would all be big events in life. My cap and gown from graduation, Mickey ears from a trip to Disneyland, and trophies from competitions in high school. While I am incredibly fond of these memories and beyond grateful for the meaning they hold in my life, I can’t help myself from wondering what I would put in my time capsule if these monumental events did not occur. How would I define my seemingly mundane, average daily life at age 13? 17? Now?

These prominent milestones in my life provided me with a structured timeline of my life. Age 12: went to Disneyland. Age 16: got my driver’s license. However, these events were not how I would have defined my daily life at that age. It was the prominent role routine played in my life that allowed me to structure the timing of my life around big milestones.

how can we truly

live in the moment?

WRITTEN BY BAILEY MEYERS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANNA WALTERS

ART DIRECTOR & DESIGNER AINSLEY MCRAE MODEL ADDY DONOVAN

Routine is something I strongly value in my life. It gives me structure and motivation to complete my tasks in a timely manner. Yet, I often find myself getting caught in the time warp of routine. In grade school, my routine was largely dictated by school and extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs. I had limited agency over my routine, especially involving school. Although I did for the most part enjoy school and my extracurricular activities, at times my days felt like copy-and-paste versions of the previous day. Now that I have the freedom to create my own routine, I find myself attempting to make time for the little moments that stray away from routine such as taking a new route to class, trying a new coffee shop or listening to a different playlist. As cliché as it is to say, I am beginning to find joy in the little moments.

The big events and milestones in life should be celebrated, yet these big moments should not be the only causes of excitement and joy. Savoring the pleasantries of my daily life has allowed me to recognize how important it is to live in the moment. When my main focus was on looking into the future, I let the important moments that make up my daily life slip by. If I were to create a time capsule of my life now, perhaps I would include engaging conversations, that one song I listen to every day, my recent crochet project or an iced vanilla latte from my favorite coffee shop. To live in the moment does not mean curating the most sparkly time capsule filled with perfect memories, but instead means embracing the small moments that exemplify life.

Time

Capsules

WRITTEN BY EVAN HUNTINGTON

HIT THE ROAD

Picture this — you’re crammed up in the backseat of your family’s 2001 navy-blue Chevy Express van, swallowed up by a mountain of suitcases, coolers, snack wrappers and restless siblings. Your left leg starts to tingle as you stare out the window at the barren landscape that you’d expect from driving in the middle of nowhere. You’re nearly 14 hours into driving for the day, but your spirits are kept alive by the perfect song blasting through the speakers while the whole family sings along.

Welcome to my childhood. I proudly come from a dedicated road trip family, embarking on unforgettable adventures that have taken me to countless states across the country. Coming from a family of six, flying all of us to our destination spot wasn’t always the most realistic, so we took our traveling endeavors to the interstate. Some of my earliest memories come from my family’s first major road trip in the summer of 2005. We drove from my hometown of Portland all the way to Lengby, Minnesota, to visit relatives — nearly 1,600 miles away. Even though I was only three years old, I still recall vivid moments from the cross-country journey — stopping at Mount Rushmore, throwing a football in the seemingly endless grass fields, blowing bubbles for the first time at the lunch picnic tables, and being too scared to jump off the long plank in the middle of the lake, which seemed like jumping off a skyscraper at the time.

From then on, it was our annual summer tradition to pack up the car and take our highly-anticipated road trip to wherever we decided to venture next. Our travels on the road have taken us to Texas, California, Utah, Arizona, Michigan, and literally every state in between. We became so invested in our adventures that we even considered driving to Boston and back for a New England trip — but in reality that turned out to be my very first flying trip.

I couldn’t imagine growing up without

these unforgettable adventures. Nothing compares to the feeling of starting a long journey on the road where anything is possible. As we begin to conjure up our vacation plans for the summer, here are the best reasons why you should embark on a road trip.

Quality time with family and friends

As you can imagine, much of the experience on a road trip is in the car, smashed between all your belongings, but to me that’s the appeal. It’s easy to think about the quick, simple luxury of flying on a plane, but the haphazard and cluttered chaos of the drive gives the trip a greater sense of adventure and anticipation. Depending on the length of the trip, it’s likely you’ll spend hours in the car with your fellow explorers, and some of the best memories are from the laughs and deep conversations you make along the way. If you’re with people that you’re still getting to know, you’ll have all the time in the world to learn more about them during your trip. These long drives also always include driving games and activities with the group, which is also a fun way to make the hours feel shorter with your friends. The time you spend inside the car is just as important as the places you go outside of it.

Road stops along the way

The number one reason why I always prefer a road trip over flying is the ability to make any stops or detours at any point along the way, expected or impromptu. On the way back from my family’s road trip to Detroit, we made a point to visit the baseball field movie-site from the 1989 film “Field of Dreams” in Dyersville, Idaho. While we had plenty of planned stops across the 13 states we drove through, many of the most memorable stops were the ones we never expected. On the second day of driving, we came across the cutest little town — Wallace, Idaho — which we ended up walking through for nearly two hours checking out the coffee shops and old-fashioned

book stores. Road trips allow a sense of constant discovery, exploring new places you would have never known existed otherwise.

It’s relatively cheap

The beauty of a road trip is the complete freedom to budget however you want. While organizing the trip, there is typically a thorough process of planning beforehand, such as where you’ll stop for the night and where you’ll eat, which enables you to pre-plan your expenses and budget more consciously. With the ability to make changes to the plan at any time, you essentially have complete control of how much money you spend, and that can make the trip much cheaper.

Driving music

Before every trip we took, my dad burned a road trip CD — yes, very oldfashioned — with his own selected songs for the drive, which we played on repeat during our time on the road. Each CD became the official soundtrack for the respective trip, and hearing any one of those songs today still gives me immediate nostalgia of the places we went. Putting together a designated playlist for the adventure not only makes the drive more enjoyable, but it solidifies the memories in your mind for years to come, especially when the songs come back around later on.

The essence of the great American road trip comes down to the overused yet highly relevant saying — it’s all about the journey, not the destination. It’s an experience where the rules are thrown out the window, you’re free to roam and the world is truly yours. Roads and highways are the veins of the American landscape. They exist to be explored and rediscovered, and you never know where they might lead. So grab your most daring friends. Load up the car. Get lost. Leave your worries behind like the billowing dust of a dirt road as you drive off into the horizon, and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Do It For the Plot

My long, previously untouchable hair was buzzed off and scattered on the dorm bathroom floor. What once was a source of my insecurity-driven nightmares became the best decision I ever made for myself. I buzzed my hair off: doing it for the plot.

Six months later I stood shaggy-haired in the middle of a dance studio. “I’ve done Just Dance,” I thought to myself. “How different could this be?” It turns out that the Zumba class my roommate somehow convinced me to register for was a lot like Just Dance, yet I emerged just as left-footed but infinitely more enthusiastic.

Many people, myself included, sit out of activities in fear of embarrassment or because they’ve never done it before. The classic “old college try” mindset—known in the Tik Tok age as “doing it for the plot”— is a mindset that we should all try to bring back. Joy is a long-term gain. Fear of judgment, however, is a short-term impediment to our enjoyment of life. In the grand scheme of things, what’s a little bit of insecurity compared to a whole lot of living?

With summer approaching, there will be plenty of opportunities to add “enhance plot” to your to-do list. Your friends invited you on a spontaneous camping trip within 12 hours of departure? Do it for the plot. There’s a pair of scissors lying around and you’ve always wondered how you’d look with curtain bangs? Do it for the plot. Noticed that you’ve sat next to the same stranger in your lecture

every class? Add a new main character and introduce yourself!

But, doing it for the plot doesn’t always have to be a spontaneous act, either. This mindset is really meant to embody letting go of the “what-ifs” and the outside judgments of everyday life to focus on what you want in your life. You can add to the plot by being opinionated in times you might’ve omitted your thoughts: saying “no” when your people-pleasing anxiety would’ve typically forced you to say “yes”. Or, stepping out of a relationship that is turning your plot into a movie you’d never watch.

The plot is all yours. You write and direct your own movie, and you get to decide who the main characters are. In the end, every moment — good, bad, awkward, or embarrassing— is a plot point for the larger narrative of life. Live unapologetically, and give the audience the plot twists they never saw coming.

I returned home from my freshman year of college with a freshly buzzed head and a new take on confidence. Heads turned and judgments were made, but I was unphased. I realized that day how little hair meant in the grand scheme of my confidence, and yet I had been using it as a cloak over my insecurities the entirety of my life. The plot point itself of buzzing my hair was minute in proportion to my life, but it jump-started an exigence to do more for myself and to take back the director’s chair.

Things that University of Oregon students did for their plot:

WRITTEN BY CLAIRE CONGER

ART DIRECTOR ADDY DONOVAN

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SNEHA CHOPRA

PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR TAYLEN HALL

MODEL KEIR VAN NIEUWBURG DESIGNER STELLA RANELLETTI

“Taking a solo weekend vacation!”

-Ana Burt, communication disorders and sciences

“Filled out a March Madness bracket and won a free iPad.”

-Levi Profitt, journalism

“Getting out of Eugene 5 weekends this term.”

-Ben Franson, product design

“Transferred to UO.”

-Kali Bissanti, earth sciences

“Drove cross-country with my partner to stay in a dome in the Utah Canyon-lands desert.”

-Emily Winsett, biological anthropology

“Went on a date with a 38-year-old Swedish woman because I thought it must’ve been a catfish account.”

-Jane Parney, economics

“Booked a flight to NYC 10 hours before going! Just cause I felt like it.”

-Elaine Pham, psychology

“Literally any networking I’ve ever done I’ve gone in with sweaty palms and so many nerves but it always pays off.”

-Bella Brick, advertising

“Went to space camp.”

-Olivia Jackson, advertising

“My buddies said to meet them at Denny’s when it was 10:30 at night and I was already in my pjs just lounging around before bed. I ended up going and we had the most chaotic discussions about everything and eventually made a very spontaneous decision. So at midnight in a Denny’s, we bought tickets to go to Disneyland in 4 hours of our purchase.”

-Trent Atkins

“Took one of the scooters to Target even though I was scared to ride on the street.”

-Bridget Collins, english and journalism

“Cheated on my high school boyfriend my freshman year of college.”

-Mikayla Peeler, biology

“Joined a fraternity.”

-Byron Neu, sociology

WAS RIGHT

I’m used to writing sad poetry. Unfortunate words that flowed on the page too easily,

With phrases and metaphors that would never be seen.

Locked in my vault, and by “vault,” I mean my “Notes” app

But now my mind has shifted. My disposition has granted me peace, And I’m caught reflecting on the things I’ve loved and long to hold on to forever.

The nostalgia I’ll soon be having about graduation, and with it, the childhood memories I’ve lately been feeling.

I’ve found myself rewatching an old, favorite movie in my free time:

“Alice in Wonderland”

A movie filled with disappearing cats and mad hatters. But also one with magic and curiosity. It feels familiar to me, especially when the future beyond graduation feels like falling down a rabbit hole.

When I looked back at my childhood remembrances, I felt sad. Don’t get me wrong, the memories I made were good, but suddenly stopped when I least expected, Like when snowflakes fall and you don’t want them to stop but deep down, you know they will.

As I look ahead to the future, I ask what’s next?

Graduation is less than a month away Will my college memories slip away too?

I hope not. I’m tired of writing sad poetry.

So, maybe Alice was right:

“There’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then” Yesterday was different and tomorrow can’t make any promises.

I have the memories I have now, and those are the important ones.

So, Alice was right. I’m learning to accept it and live it.

Here’s to the graduates: Let’s raise a glass and toast.

For now, we’ll love what we have, and cherish what we can hold onto. The future may be like Wonderland, but that’s what makes it exciting.

I’m glad this poem was happy. I think it’s what is in order from now on. The vault is now open; It’s finally been unlocked.

So thank you, Alice Love, Charlie

WRITTEN BY CHARLIE VIGNE PHOTOGRAPHED BY SALLY FINNIN ART DIRECTOR RONAN BECKIUS MODEL LILY POAT DESIGNER ADIA BAINES PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR MINDY TRAN

Leaving Our Hearts in Oregon

WRITTEN BY MICHAELA HAGEL

As many University of Oregon seniors prepare to press play on their futures, it is time to hit pause and relish in the joyous moments that made their year truly unforgettable. From fun times with best friends and gamedays to memorable vacations and on-campus experiences, the class of 2023 has gathered a treasure trove of memories that will bring smiles to their faces for years to come. So sit back, relax, and take a walk down memory lane.

My favorite day of any year in Eugene is the first sunny day of spring. This year was one of my favorite first sunny days. We enjoyed the nice weather sitting in my friends’ backyard ignoring our homework, playing beer pong, dancing around, and eating snacks. Days like those make me especially melancholy, because I know I am living in the memories that I will look back upon and smile. I hope I am able to live many more of these memories with the people I love most,” Betsy Woodward said.

After a rough day in class receiving negative critiques on our work, my three friends and I went to Rennie’s at 4 p.m. to unwind. It was trivia night later in the evening, and we stayed the whole way through. We didn’t realize we stayed at Rennie’s for seven hours at that point. That day was a pivotal moment in our friendship. I realized one of my friends is a movie buff and carried our team for the movie trivia round. 10/10 would do it again with them,” Katey Williams said.

My favorite memory of senior year was choreographing a flash mob for our friend’s birthday with all my best friends. We had a blast,” Mira Eagan said.

Speaking of fun times with friends, gamedays spent with friends were especially memorable. Whether at the spring game, the last fall home game, or gameday featuring College GameDay, many seniors were taking in every minute.

My favorite memory from senior year was going to the Spring Football game. I got to go with all my best friends, the weather was really nice, and all of us sang ‘Shout’ for the last time. It felt magical. I looked around and saw that every person that was there that day, are people I consider family. I feel really grateful to have met so many wonderful people during my time at UO,” Amanda Chang said.

Although it is a hard choice, one of my favorite memories from senior year is Spring Game. Going into Autzen one last time with all of my friends I grew up with these last four years was such a symbol of how far we have all come and the amazing friendships we have created,” Amelia Kennedy said.

“The final gameday we had fall quarter is my favorite memory. I was with all my best friends, it felt really special to celebrate one last time, and the ducks won! It was a great day,” Dean Griffin said.

“My favorite memory of senior year was when College GameDay came to our campus for the UCLA game, which was also parents’ weekend. My best friends and I woke up at the crack of dawn and got ready to try and be on TV while downing mimosas and coffee to stay awake. It was definitely one of the most fun game days at UO,” Isabella Morgan said.

While Autzen Stadium is certainly a popular place for favorite memories, some seniors’ most fond moments took place thousands of miles away from that beloved stadium.

“My favorite memory from senior year so far was going to Hawaii for Spring break. I had been wanting to do a big, cliché Spring break trip for my last hurrah as a university student. And I’m just really glad it worked out. I was able to go with my close friend, Madi. Now, we still laugh at the stories we tell each other from that trip,” Charlie Vigne said.

“I DM’ed a musician and he let me into his sold-out show that night. I was sitting on the metro heading to Montemarte. As I was looking up jazz clubs, I saw that Immanuel Wilkins, a Brooklyn artist had two sold-out shows that night at Le Duc. I had no expectations but I decided to be honest: ‘This is a long shot, but I’m in Paris by chance and would love to see your show at Le Duc! It’s sold out tonight but it would be an absolute dream to see you perform! I loved your Tiny Desk show. Anyways, I hope you have a great show!’ An hour later I get a buzz from my phone: ‘First set cool?’ I spent the evening listening to him and his friends play jazz music, sipping on red wine, and snacking on a charcuterie board. After the show, we talked for a short time and he thanked me for coming out. I told him I hoped to see him perform in Brooklyn sometime. After that, I got lost on the metro back to the hotel,” Mindy Tran said.

As some seniors make their way back from Hawai’i and Paris they return to meet their fellow classmates where it all started: the University of Oregon.

“My favorite part of senior year was making lots of friends in Allen Hall and having the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and make connections with so many creatives,” Rhemy Crawford said.

“My favorite memory from senior year was attending the LeaderShape conference at the end of winter term. It was an amazing experience to connect with others and learn about their passions and their visions for life. It was a privilege to be surrounded by so many motivated, incredibly kind people,” Neela Ropp said.

For this graduating class, their senior year was filled with unforgettable moments, woven together with laughter, singing, reminiscing, and friendship. As they embark on new chapters in their lives, let them carry the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the indomitable spirit of their senior year.

ILLUSTRATED BY AUBREY JAYNE DESIGNER PEYTON MCQUAIN PLAYLIST CONNOISSEUR CHLOE SARVER

ILLUSTRATED BY EMMA BALLMAN