April 2025
Fully immerse in your travels with dopamine dressing, and bring the vacation home, long after the trip ends.
The little moments in life and seizing opportunity.
What life can be without screens.
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Fully immerse in your travels, with dopamine dressing, and bring the vacation home long after the trip ends.
ON THE COVER
Courting Fashion
Rylee Day and Georgia Matthews
I thought I still had so much more time, but unfortunately time moves way too quickly. So, without further ado: The modmuze team and I would love to invite you to experience our newest issue, Camp Modmuze. There is so much joy and wonder in this issue, just in time for the heat of the summer.
I’m feeling very sentimental as this is my last issue being editor in chief of modmuze. I’ve had such an incredible experience. I’ve met some amazing people and made such great memories that I will cherish forever. Not only did I learn how to run a publication, but also how to use trial and error, how to ask for help, and how to make sure everyone feels seen and included. I have called modmuze my home for the past three and a half years, and I’m so sad to leave her.
I had the honor of writing about adventures for this issue, something I grew very fond of while being in college. From random Waffle House trips, to girls’ nights, to playing “Just Dance” in my living room, I grew to love the feeling of spontaneity and being present in the moment. My experience with modmuze was a big adventure I will always be grateful for. Now it’s time for me to graduate and move on to my next adventure. Although I’m not sure what the future holds for me, I can move forward carrying all the great memories with me.
To my executive team: Y’all kept me afloat. You answered all my questions and stuck by me when I needed a little extra help. Each and every one of you are so talented and hardworking, and I am confident you all will be so successful in the future. I could not have done this without you guys, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To my friends and family: Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best version of myself.
To my friends and family: Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best version of myself.
To the staff: I take so much inspiration from you all. We have one talented group of people, and I am so glad I got to create this art piece with the help of all of you. I’m struggling to sum up my experience with modmuze in just one editor’s note, but I just wanted to thank everyone for making my experience one I will never forget. Modmuze was there for me in some really tough times and pushed me to keep writing and creating.
My last piece of advice to anyone reading this is to stick up for yourself, and keep doing the things that make you happy. It’s okay to feel scared, but never let that stop you from reaching your goals. It’s often times the things that scare you the most are the ones that are most rewarding.
Modmuze, I love you forever. Editor in chief out:) With all the love in the world,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & President Emily McCaslin, MMJ
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & Vice President Ruby Van De Steeg, DM
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Madison McMaster, GD
MARKETING DIRECTOR Samantha Williams, DM
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Loren Rogers, DM
STYLING & MODEL DIRECTOR Abigail Burnham, DM
TREASURER Patricia Dimick, DM
WRITERS
Karli Clemons
Emily McCaslin
Lillie Sherrill
Brooklyn Taylor-Talbert
Shealynn Hoffman
Ruby Van De Steeg
Jordan Reimer
Patricia Dimick
Addie Wagner
STYLISTS
Reese Ehrhart
Gretchen Teigen
Karli Clemons
Evan Mitchell Catie Barrett
Lisabriela Calleros
Rodney Ashaba
Abigail Burnham
Riley Kirkman
Ruby Van De Steeg Hailey Ford
Audrey Flood Maggie Levy
Madelyn Campbell
Emily Bass
Jordan Reimer
PHOTOGRAPHY
Rodney Ashaba
Reagan Downs
Loren Rogers
Jake Muret
modmuze is a fashion and lifestyle magazine produced by students, for students. Our magazine provides a unique platform for students to freely express themselves creatively in any and all ways imaginable.
Our Mantra Empowering self-expression
MARKETING
Hollin Level
Rylee Day Kamryn Major
Georgia Matthews
Erin Kistler
Cierra Carney
Lisabriela Calleros
Shealynn Hoffman
PRODUCTION
Madison McMaster Hailey Ford
Brea Ellis
Ruby Van De Steeg
Triere Nikel
Raaya Brown
Emily McCaslin Editor in Chief & Writing
As the President, Emily keeps the whole magazine running by making executive desisions and managing all the fine details while supporting her team and the writers.
In charge of Production, Madison oversees the team that makes the magazine come to life.
Ruby Van De Steeg Creative & Production
As the Vice President, Ruby ensures that the creative direction is cohesive across the magazine process while supporting the final production.
Samantha Williams
Marketing & Secretary
In charge of Marketing, Sammy creates inovative projects for her team and turns their content into postable content.
Patricia Dimick
Treasurer
As Treasurer, Patricia works hard to keep the finances organized and maximized for members to have more oportunities.
Photography
In charge of Photography, Loren directs and manages her team while contributing to the visual artform itself.
Styling
In charge of Styling, Abigail inspires her teams creativity with wordrobes and settings while managing their extensive process.
By: Ruby Van De Steeg
Fully immerse in your travels with dopamine dressing, and bring the vacation home long after the trip ends.
The magic of summer vacations is more than just the destination—it’s how it makes you feel. Escaping the everyday reality of your routine to fantasize about another life somewhere new can be how you truly engross yourself into the journey. We use the concept called “dopamine dressing” often when we travel, by morphing our wardrobe to fit the experience and purchasing new items abroad. By using destination-inspired fashion, you can elevate your vacation experience and bring that joy back home long after the trip ends.
So what is dopamine dressing?
Basically exactly how it sounds, this exercise is when someone purchases and wears clothing that boosts the wearers mood by increasing levels of dopamine.
Certain patterns, colors, and silhouettes can transport you further into an idea that you are a character you might be trying to create. Naturally, different places and cultures have certain styles of clothing. It is common for travelers to purchase these clothes upon arrival to fit into the new environment more naturally. For example, if you plan to travel to southern Europe for the summer, you might pack some light linens, rather than your usual yoga pants, and purchase something unique to the country to wear back home. It may be worth your time to look into the culture of the destination you are traveling to, and see what people are wearing during the season you will be traveling. This can give you many indicators for what materials and styles to pack and shop for before the trip. Try to avoid over consumption by stay -
ing within your own personal style, but adapt to the new environment. Once you have an idea of what to bring, build a capsule wardrobe by choosing tops and bottoms that can be interchangeable, while keeping a couple selected outfits for special occasions. This can give you freedom to choose your outfits based on the weather and comfort, while packing light and still having multiple options.
After creating the alter character in a new destination away from home and work, you might find yourself want-
that your wardrobe includes unique, meaningful pieces that double as wearable souvenirs. By incorporating what you wore on vacation into future outfits, you can keep the joyful energy alive and carry the spirit of your travels with you every day.
Fashion has always been a powerful tool for self-expression, and when used intentionally, it can also be a way to extend the joy of travel beyond the trip itself. By embracing dopamine dressing and incorporating destination-inspired pieces into your everyday wardrobe,
A bold tropical scarf can add a pop of color and personality to your office wear “ “
ing to bring that feeling back with you to romanticize your everyday routine. This can be done seamlessly by integrating destination-inspired pieces into your everyday wardrobe. A bold tropical scarf can add a pop of color and personality to your office wear, instantly transporting you back to sun-soaked adventures. Clothing serves as a tactile reminder of experiences and emotions, making every outfit an opportunity to relive cherished moments. Embracing purchases from local artisans ensures
you’re not just wearing clothes—you’re wearing memories, emotions, and experiences. Whether it’s a handcrafted accessory from a local artisan or a breezy linen dress that reminds you of Mediterranean summers, these pieces allow you to relive the magic of your travels while adding fresh inspiration to your daily routine. So the next time you pack your bags, think beyond the trip—dress for the experience, savor the feeling, and bring a piece of that adventure home with you.
By: Emily McCaslin
“ What are we getting into tonight?”
My friends all gather around my brown striped couch in the middle of my rented living room. Colorful pictures and graphics paint the walls symbolizing the people here love each other. A bar cart filled with leftover Malibu, and heart shaped shot glasses fills what otherwise would be an empty corner. We laugh, and we hug, and we dream of our futures, talking about how we’re all going to live in one big house, that way our college experience never ends. But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end eventually. It's the month before we graduate, and the air seems thinner. The thought of leaving our free and simple lives to get a corporate job and start families seems like the scariest thing we’ve ever done. Making the most of the time we have left is our main priority. The thing I love most about my friend group is the fun adventures we get ourselves into. Life is not meant to be taken seriously. It’s the random adventures you take and the accidental trouble you get into that makes it all worthwhile.
Some of my favorite moments have been the little spontaneous adventures I went on with my friends. The 2 a.m. trips to waffle house (including the hour drive to Tulsa mind you), the late night walks around Boomer Lake, the karaoke at the Union on Thursday nights. Some of the best moments in life come from a lack of planning and thinking and more of just letting loose and having fun.
My sister always told me to do one thing every day that scares me. Seems like an easy yet impossible task when you think about. What seemed so simple, made me want to tuck my tail and hide every single time.
When I got older, I came back to those words. I found myself looking in between them to find the hidden meaning. What did Hailey really mean by that?
Fine I’ll try it, I decide. Now, what to do first. Telling that boy I like him, running that errand I was always too scared to do by myself, using my voice to stick up for something I believe in. All of a sudden, I get it. The rush of adrenaline. Feeling on top of the world like no one could even possibly try to stop you. Why did I ever take life so seriously? Life is way too short to be taken too seriously.
So, the homework can wait, life can’t. Do it before you can’t anymore. Grab your friends. Go drive somewhere, jump in a lake, go dance in a random parking lot; I don’t care what it is, just do it. Because those are the moments that make life worth living. Those are the moments you look back on and smile.
Look- I’m not telling you to skip classbut if the opportunity presents itself, then maybe do it. Adventuring is so rewarding. This world was given to us to explore and get the most out of it while we’re still here.
My challenge to you: do something today that scares you and see how it makes you feel. Text your friends, and ask them to go on an adventure. It doesn’t matter if it’s a random Tuesday night, just make life exciting while we’re still here. Doing this every week can help life feel a little less scary.
Disclaimer: I know life has its serious moments, but not everything needs to be.
And to my friends who are about to graduate: you got this. I know the world seems so scary and is filled with the unknown, but we’re all in this
“Alexa: play ‘Dancing
together. Everyone is just trying to figure out this thing called life, and if there are things we can do to make it seems less scary, I say we at least try.
Life’ from Wicked.”
By: Addie Wagner
I realized life without a constant, often unconscious stressor like my phone could do me good.
“Phones in the bins, everyone! Phones in the bin!” The camp counselor everyone had a crush on held out an old, dirty bin that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in decades. Begrudgingly, I handed over my precious phone, a huge sigh escaping my lips. As we treaded to our cabin and home for the next week, I realized life without a constant, often unconscious stressor like my phone could do me good.
As a kid, our phones meant much less to us than now, being young adults. Although we were born in the generation that was gifted IPhones and AirPods for Christmas, for the most part, we were still normal kids, who just had little boxes of technology in our back pocket at all times. No big deal. Now, as we transition to adulthood, our reliance on our phones has deepened, and as unhealthy as it is, for most individuals, our technology is hard to part with.
Thinking back to some of my fondest adolescent memories, many of them were without my phone. When I attended summer camp in Missouri at 11 years old and was forced to give up my phone for the week I attended the camp, I thought nothing of it. The entire week I was there, I was free. I could truly be a kid. I played outdoors (shocking), made new friends by introducing myself to new people instead of hiding behind my screen until camp was over, I felt relaxed and reconnected with nature. I was able to truly enjoy my experience without using my phone as a crutch, especially during social situations. Part of it was just being a fearless kid, but a huge part of it was being released from my phone’s clutches into the arms of Mother Nature.
“-a huge part of it was being released from my phone’s clutches into the arms of Mother Nature.”
We were having cold, hard FUN.
I remember having a busy schedule each day and a regimented one too. However, we could do so many activities, and none of them involved our devices. One minute we could be competing in sports games, the next attending a ceremony crowning the camp “prince” and “princess” for the week, the next making walking sticks, swimming in a lake or going down a
rickety, wooden slide that gave us all splinters. But we didn’t care. We were having cold, hard FUN. The kind of fun that feels like it will last forever, and you dream about doing all over again tomorrow as you lay in your peaceful cabin with all your new friends. These feelings make the camp experience so unique, especially a classic summer camp in the woods with other kids.
The kind of childhood our parents drone on and on about us missing out on.
The kind of fun that feels like it will last forever, and you dream about doing all over again tomorrow as you lay in your peaceful cabin with all your new friends.
There was also something comforting about everyone having given up their phone that made it feel like we were all in this together. We all chose to come to summer camp, and our phone just didn’t compare to the memories we were about to make. The best part was we barely even thought about social media while we were “camping” because we were kept so busy, and when we had free time, we made our own fun, the natural way. Perhaps this rest from technology made a real difference in many of our lives later on. We were real kids for a bit. The kind of childhood our parents drone on and on about us missing out on.
I often think of taking a wellness break like this myself. Maybe this is why so many people enjoy camping and taking trips “off the grid.” As a city girl myself, I never grew up much in the outdoors, except for these chapters of my summers as an 11 and 12 year old. However, I see the alluring appeal.
By: Karli Clemons
Growing up, we face emotions of belonging, self-expression, social pressures, and the need for freedom. One of the biggest factors that led to these emotions was uniforms/dress codes. The difference between dressing during the school year and the summer plays a big factor in emotional aspects in our preteen to teenage years.
During the school year, dress codes or uniforms are mandatory for students to follow, or they can get in trouble. This has negative effects due to the lack of self-expression but also has positive effects such as a sense of belonging, reduced decision making, and discipline and structure. One negative emotion from dress codes is lack of self-expression.
It can be a big emotional distress to kids because the restrictive dress codes can limit individuality, leading to frustration, lower self-esteem, or resentment among kids who feel unable to express themselves through their clothing. Positive emotional effects such as a sense of belonging is
good because uniforms can promote a sense of unity and reduce peer pressures related to clothing. d because uniforms can promote a sense of unity and reduce peer pressures related to clothing. Which can lower anxiety and decrease bullying that is linked to socioeconomic differences.
Another positive emotion is discipline and structure. Uniforms can create a structured environment that fosters discipline, which some students find comfort in. Finally, the last positive emotion of dress codes/uniforms is the reduced decision-making stress. Uniforms eliminate the daily stress of choosing outfits, which allows students to focus more on academics and less on appearance-related concerns.
Once summer hits, the freedom for kids to dress however they want brings new positive and negative emotions that affect them. Negative emotions that can come from dressing in the summer are social pressures and a shift in their behavior or mood.
“The summer allows for greater freedom and self-expression”
Social pressures that come from not having structured dress code/ uniform policy, can make some kids feel pressured to wear trendy or expensive clothes, which can create insecurities among peers. Another negative emotion from dressing in the summer is a shift in behavior and mood. During summer, children have more freedom to dress how they want, which can cause them to act out more, while during the school year, wearing a uniform can make children behave
more formally. Positive emotions from dressing in the summer are increased self-expression and confidence and more comfort and freedom. Having self-expression during the summer through wearing casual clothing, allows kids to express their personality freely, which can boost their selfconfidence and overall happiness.
Having more comfort and freedom can lead to a more relaxed and at-ease state, potentially improving mood and engagement with peers.
The way students dress throughout the year significantly impacts their emotions, self-expression, and social experiences. During the school year, uniforms and dress codes provide structure, reduce peer pressure, and promote a sense of belonging, but they can also limit individuality and self-expression. In contrast, the
summer allows for greater freedom and self-expression, which can boost confidence but may also lead to social pressures and shifts in behavior. Both structured and casual dress environments have unique emotional effects, shaping how students navigate their school years.
By: Brooklyn Taylor-Talbert
There are many campfire classics out there that bring back a lot of nostalgia. The main favorites are roasted marshmallows, s’mores, and hot dogs over a fire. Simple, but that’s the thing that makes them memorable. A lot of these foods can be considered comfort food because of how many memories are attached to them. These pleasantries can even be made at home with just some fire or a stove because of how simple the food is. The recipes are often kept simple because teens and young adults are the ones usually watching over the kids.
The food is attached to a lot of bonding traditions at some summer camps like singing or doing fun chants before or after eating. It’s often like this because there are times when the kids have to help make the food, which to some camp counselors is the tool used to get the kids to engage with one another while getting things done. Then after that, the fun chants and songs come into play because it can turn mealtime into an event that the kids look forward to. All camps can be a bit different; some have theme nights, so the kids dress up or maybe only decorate the mess hall and then have a themed meal, such as, The Wild West, pirates, space, and even superheroes followed by themed food and snacks. This is also another one of those memories that can be recreated at home with some friends as a way to create new memories that make your inner child happy. You can either host a themed party or just gather all your friends to go out and camp, whether in the woods or just in the backyard.
All camps have a lot of history behind them, and some camps never miss an opportunity to teach their kids about the founders of their campgrounds and the impact it has had on the local community. And other times even talk about funny moments from past summers to entertain the kids. One of the main ways they do this is at dinnertime or campfire time when they can get the kid’s attention for a bit.
When it nears time for the campers to leave, they sometimes host a banquet to celebrate their time and the bonds formed at camp. A lot of the time, camps tend to go all out with the
food for this last event as a memorable goodbye to the campers whether it’s cooking for hours or just ordering catering.
A lot of these memories of comfort could be recreated at home with your friends on a fun theme night while you all trade stories. There are times as adults that we need to take a step back and have some fun. And even take time to make our inner child happy, which is why camp food, and its simplicity can be considered comfort food because of all the feelings attached to it and the dopamine it can produce when you eat them.
By: Patricia Dimick
There’s a particular kind of magic in summer, the long, sunny afternoons stretching endlessly into humid nights, the feeling that anything is possible, that time itself is on pause. It’s freedom in its purest form, the kind we first taste at summer camp or on vacations to the beach, when days feel like entire lifetimes. But eventually, the summers begin to shift, taking on a new meaning. At some point, without realizing it, we experience our last true summer.
For most, the obvious last summer comes after college graduation, a whirlwind of transitions, goodbyes, and the realization that summer as we’ve always known it will never feel the same again. But for me, the real last summer happens much earlier: the one between sophomore and junior year of college. It’s the last time summer belongs entirely to us, untouched by the looming presence of the future.
That summer is pure. It’s spent on mini road trips, closing shifts at hourly jobs, lazy afternoons by the pool, and warm nights filled with laughter that echoes into the dark. There’s real, unfiltered freedom in it, the kind that comes from knowing school will start again in the fall, that there’s still time before everything changes.
Then, the summers begin to slip away. The one after junior year is given to internships and résumés, to LinkedIn updates and networking events. The one after senior year is lost to moving vans, job offers, and the slow realization that our time is no longer our own.
The greatest loss of adulthood isn’t summer itself—it’s unstructured time. As kids, we never had to plan summer; it simply unfolded. The days stretched wide open, ready to be filled with whatever we wanted. Even if we had jobs or summer classes, there was still an ease to it, a softness in knowing that the hours between obligations were ours to waste however we pleased.
But one day, without noticing it, we
stop experiencing summer in that way. The first time I realized this, I was sitting in my college apartment, staring at the suitcase that I had been living out of all summer. I had spent my time between junior and senior year working, my hours were dictated by a schedule I didn’t make. Friends who once had infinite time for late-night adventures were suddenly busy studying, interning, and preparing for what came next.
It hit me then that summers weren’t supposed to be mine anymore. They belonged to the future. And yet, I refuse to let them go.
If adulthood is about growing out of summer, maybe I don’t want to be the kind of adult that the world expects me to be. Maybe I won’t trade in late nights for early alarms, or adventure
for a rigid routine. Maybe I won’t let my life be ruled by Outlook calendars and two weeks of PTO that never feels like enough.
Because why should we leave summer camp?
summer is something we grow out of, that we should be grateful for the small glimpses we can steal between meetings and deadlines. But maybe the real act of rebellion is choosing to live differently. To refuse to see summer as something that ends. To hold onto
If summer camp is about freedom, about chasing the sun and laughing until your stomach hurts, about friendships that feel infinite even when they aren’t, then why does growing up have to mean leaving it all behind? What if we just… don’t?
The world will try to convince us that
the people who make us feel like kids again, to chase golden hours wherever they exist, to keep finding reasons to run barefoot through the grass.
Maybe we don’t have to say goodbye to summer after all. Maybe we just fold it into the corners of our suitcase, creased and well-worn, but still ours to carry.
By: Shealynn Hoffman
The current President declared that when he was in office, he would make jobs for American citizens. Currently in April 2025, several agencies have been affected by massive layoffs, as well as being in a hiring freeze; these agencies are things such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Due to this decision, important work has been halted, and some of the most kind, intelligent, and brave minds in this country have been laid off from their work. These decisions are not improving the lives of people within the United States, no matter what way the government tries to spin it. Sitting down with one student at Oklahoma State University who studies Environmental Science, I wanted to know how this degradation of science and disrespect to the work that people in these industries have done, affects those who are still in school, learning about the environment and how to save our planet.
Q1: How much of your major/people in your field rely on federal or state government employment? Is there a decline in jobs in your field? Will this have an impact on new people entering your field or related ones?
A: “Over half of my peers in the Environmental Science program have expressed that they would like to work in a government position. Many of their dream jobs are working in the National Park Service, EPA, National Resource and Conservation Commission, the Bureau of Land Management, and state agencies such as the Oklahoma Conservation Commission or the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. This field has been severely impacted by federal hiring freezes, massive NPS employee layoffs, and a lack of permanent positions now available to apply to. I have heard that due to cuts in funding, many NPS offices now have no budget to work with and
many federal agencies will only be hiring for temporary seasonal positions, which severely impacts the financial security of people relying on this field. It’s honestly abysmal. I have also heard from peers who are graduating that even some graduate programs are accepting fewer or no students because their funding for research has been halted. As a senior graduating in May myself, I have been feeling practically hopeless in applying for positions, where I am basically only left to apply to companies or highly competitive research positions. Many of my peers feel like their only option is to seek a career or job in an unrelated field and hope that the situation is “fixed” in a few years with a new administration.”
Q2: Knowing that federal workers do research on the environment and the ecological impact of human-caused and natural disasters (such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other unforeseen events), how can you see this impacting the future of America’s natural resources and affecting society?
A: “In addition to executive orders that plan to basically open up national parks and public lands to be mined for resources and exploited for oil, I can see our natural resources being severely impacted. There is a chance that even basic information on weather and climate data will become top-secret information. In response to an executive order, NASA eliminated their chief scientist and a number of other employees, including climate scientists, which has the potential to be devastating to publicly accessible
climate data and information. In the landscape for research grants, many valuable studies have been halted due to ridiculous reasons such as “DEI.” Current researchers are in fear of their work being entirely upended, resulting in the development of new medical treatments being halted, and other studies, which are important of human and ecological health. I can see many studies related to endangered species, climate change, and protected habitats being stopped, resulting in species extinction, more climate disasters, and loss of rare habitats and species.”
Q3: The Trump administration has recently canceled DEI programs as well as set out on making talking about subjects like diversity by removing words from government websites difficult. How do you think this will impact your field?
A: “As stated, many researchers are being impacted by making DEI topics sensitive. There is now a list of “banned words” that federally funded programs have to avoid using, including “confirmation bias,” “trauma,” and “women”. There are examples of studies being defunded while researching new treatments for Alzheimer’s just because they included the term “transgenic” or a study researching sustainable menstrual hygiene products just because the
study acknowledges that transgender men menstruate as well. While these examples don’t specifically relate to environmental or conservation-related science, many of the terms on the banned word list are commonly used scientific terms that, when omitted, will severely impact the clarity and impact of scientific reporting. Having to jump through hoops to keep funding and stay under the radar will only be a detriment to scientists who are only trying to do their jobs.”
Q4: As someone who studies the environment (plants, water supplies/sources, global warming, etc.), how do the current fashion/ consumer product industries (incredibly quick trend rates, fast fashion becoming more popular, and the way that companies source and supply their products) make you feel as someone who is intimately familiar with the impacts of these industries?
A: “I might not be as intimately familiar with the impact of these industries as fashion-related majors; however, I understand how deeply our culture around consumerism affects our environment. As an aware consumer, I feel responsible for being a conscious researcher before I make any major purchases. However, I wish we didn’t have to be as “conscious” as companies expect us to be. I wish it was simpler to find and support companies that are actually doing good without having to worry that they’re greenwashing. I
wish making the sustainable option wasn’t prohibitively expensive. I wish companies already sourced their products and labor ethically without the use of sweatshops and child labor. However, our society doesn’t currently incentivize companies that make sustainable choices. Therefore, we have to rely on the consumer to “vote with their dollar,” but what if they don’t have enough dollars? We’ve lost a lot of our self-subsistence as a society, and I feel like the current convenience and hustle culture we have is only exacerbating our environmental and societal problems.”
Q5: Consumerism has driven a high trend speed, especially in the fashion industry, which has been known to use a lot of water. Several states and other countries have had water crises in the last few years, such as droughts and water pollution. America is the number one (single) importer of clothing; do you think America should be held more accountable for its role in water crises?
“In all of the uncertainties in the world, make sure to stay connected to your community and devote your extra time to causes that fulfill your soul.”
A: “I do, because I know that the American fashion industry relies heavily on imported clothing manufactured in other countries. In such developing countries where clean water is scarce, it is abysmal that the workers wouldn’t even have access to clean drinking water and that factories dump dyes and toxins from manufacturing into nearby waterways. Yet a lot of the United States doesn’t even know how to properly manage its own bodies of water. The Ogallala aquifer, notable in the Great Plains
of the US, including the Oklahoma Panhandle, has continued to be depleted of its water at a rate higher than its replenishment rate and has the potential to be 70% depleted in under 50 years. And unfortunately, after it’s empty, the soil composition changes will not allow it to replenish. The United States needs to take our reducing freshwater as an increasingly serious problem, because the only amount of drinkable water on earth-— only 1% of Earth’s total water-—will be continually dwindling if we are not careful.”
Q6: Many companies recently have started using sustainable practices; however, many of these practices and labels have been criticized for being “greenwashing” and not actually sustainable. What would you tell consumers who are worried about their sustainability practices, and what activities can people do to lower their pollution?
A: “I am a huge advocate for thrifting and secondhand clothing. I know we’ve seen a huge rise in thrifting as a trend, and unfortunately some large secondhand shops noticed and raised their prices, with some items being more expensive than new if they bought them from fast fashion. My other recommendation is buying timeless investment pieces. What I buy new, I know I will wear for a long time and can get a lot of use out of (even if they’re not necessarily expensive). And my final piece of advice is just do what you can. I spent a lot of time early in my sustainability jour-
ney trying to be perfect, crying if my family brought home plastic bags from the store, avoiding healthy food just because it came in plastic, and trying to make my own deodorant with coconut oil (do not recommend). It took me time to find what worked for me. I learned that I like being vegan, even if I’m not perfect at it, and that there are still things I can do every day to make a difference. Just remember that there are still things out of your control, and to prioritize your mental health. In all of the uncertainties in the world, make sure to stay connected to your community and devote your extra time to causes that fulfill your soul.”
By: Lillie Sherrill
For many, summer is a time to escape from the monotony of life and delve into another reality. Leave behind your academic prison, your corporate cell and your hustle, and indulge in the summer of your dreams, regardless of your location. We are all dreamers after all.
First, think about location? Where would you like your summer to exist? Which setting do you want to emulate? Are you craving an ethereal countryside? If so, step into the world of Italian 80s nostalgia, desire and discovery with Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me by Your Name.” Allow yourself to dissolve within its picturesque moments with the iconic faces of Timothee Chalamet, Armie Hammer and Esther Garrel. The soundtrack only emphasizes the experiences with artists such as the dreamy Sufijan Stevens coupled with the vintage upbeat Psychedelic Furs. Is the English countryside more your speed? Open up Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to reveal the powerful love story of the one and only Elizabeth Bennet and
Mr. Darcy as they face inseparable attraction despite all efforts to deny themselves. Set in the English countryside, Pride and Prejudice is the perfect movie to enter the realm of a countryside period piece.
If the regal countryside seems simply unattainable in your Midwest location, fret not! Ethel Cain and Lana Del Rey have come to save a Midwest summer, turning it into something timeless and utterly appealing. Ethel Cain’s abilities to use music as an ode to the Midwest in a way that’s never been done before, brings a new light to a run-down summer. A drive through your small mid-America town is going to hate to see you coming after you indulge in the musical masterpiece that is “American Teenager.” Embrace the low quality setting you are in. Ethel Cain coupled with hauntingly beautiful Lana Del Rey is a combination worthy of your summer. Lana del Rey brings the perfect vintage Americana soundtrack for your summer. There is something so romantic and desirable about blasting “National Anthem” and “Million Dollar Man” on an old stereo and letting the sun beat down on your heart shaped sunglasses and gingham bathing suit. It’s playful and youthful, but sophisticated in a way.
Are you looking to tap into your youthful and rebellious side this summer? Are you wanting to have the adolescently wild summer you have always dreamed of? Well transport yourself to the worlds of “Saltburn” and “Cruel Intentions.” These movies are prime examples of those crazy teenage summers that were advertised, but never seemed reachable. While you may not have the chance to run around your filthy rich friend’s eerie and enchanted mansion for the summer wreaking havoc, the cinematography of Emerald Fennell may be just the thing for you. “Cruel Intentions” highlights the lust and romance that summer always tends to bring, even without intention. Roger Kumble brings to life the ultimate raunchy 90s film that will have you feeling daring and confident, sure to bring upon a summer full of action and drama.
Maybe all of this sounds crazy to you because you know there is no escaping your 9-to-5 this summer. Lucky for you, imagination and romanticization have no bounds. Even your corporate job can be glamorous if you wish it to be. Take inspiration from films such as “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Every day can feel like running around New York City carrying loads of black coffees back to the office if you want it to.
Regardless of how you choose to spend your summer, never underestimate the power of actively searching for the beautiful things in life. Choosing to be intentional with the way your summer is spent has the possibility to change everything, maybe even make your circumstances more bearable. Summer is for fun, whatever that looks like for you right now. Don’t waste your summer.
I started doing yoga after my first real breakup. I needed something to save me in a spiritual way… and possibly help me get a revenge body. To my surprise, I found something much more healing and beautiful than I could have imagined. Yoga has connected my mind and body and allowed me to explore a part of myself I hadn’t been in touch with since childhood. When I was younger, I was obsessed with flexibility. I used to stretch in my room for thirty minutes every day to get all my splits. I eventually got them, and I wanted to see what more I could achieve. I was able to do a scorpion pose and bend into all kinds of crazy positions. Of course, I was younger then and on my middle school cheer team, so all of it came easily.
Years later, I lost all that ability—but my fascination remained. Yoga brought me back to a time when I could move freely and have fun. I love trying new poses, even when I fall out of them. I’m back to being 12, practicing front walkovers in my backyard. Now I’m 23, falling out of a handstand. In middle school I took dance, I will admit I was not very good, but I still love the motions and feeling the music. Having dance parties in my apartment alone or with friends is honestly the most serotonin boosting activity.
There is so much childlike-wonder and whimsy in movement. It clears my mind and allows me to connect with other people in a deeper way.
My journey with movement has gone far beyond simply trying new forms of physical activity. I recently bought a bike off Facebook Marketplace. I might have gotten scammed—it was $90, rusting, and the pedals fell off twice— but I love her regardless. She’s my first bike -
-since I was nine, riding around the neighborhood with my friends. Now I ride around campus and downtown with my friends.
Now that it’s spring, I feel myself blooming and rising from my winter rot. The sun is healing. Even in the winter, I’ve found that my practice helps me stay in tune with the changing seasons. I find that my activities have helped with my spiritual practice, bringing me to a new place of understanding the world around me. I have a deeper appreciation for all the seasons and the gifts they bring.
In yoga, we do tree pose: one foot on the ground, the other resting on the thigh. I put my hands in the air— they can be anywhere, but I enjoy replicating a tree. I’ve realized that these poses are about more than just balance.
They’re about embodying strength and stability, like a tree.
These days, I’m working on king pigeon pose to improve my shoulder mobility and embody poise and oneness with my surroundings. Learning new poses challenges me and gives me goals that support my mental health. The feeling I get when I accomplish something new physically gives me a burst of serotonin.
I’m back to being twelve, practicing front walkovers in my backyard. Now I’m 23, falling out of a handstand.
I’m back to being twelve, practicing front walkovers in my backyard. Now I’m 23, falling out of a handstand.
