DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE, THOSE HERE NOW, AND THOSE WHO COME AFTER. MAY WE ALL LEAVE SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING.
Tallahassee, Florida OF ONE’S
DECORATIONS BY CARLY COLLINS
Table of Contents
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Passing the Torch Interrogation Breakthrough Lasting Impressions ACT THREE
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pg. 96 pg. 106 pg. 134
pg. 118
STRIKE
KATE D’AMARIO DIGITAL
As I reflect on my time with Strike Magazine, I’m so grateful for the many ways it has shaped me as a person. From late-night brainstorming sessions to seeing our ideas come to life, every moment has taught me something valuable. Thank you to everyone who has inspired, supported, and challenged me along the way — I’m endlessly thankful for this chapter <3
LINDSEY LIMBACH WRITING
My final semester as writing director has been nothing short of fulfilling, thanks to my team and fellow directors. I will forever look back on my time spent with Strike with gratitude. I am indebted to this community of creative and supportive individuals for life!
MICA CORTEZ GRAPHICS
Each artist on my team has their own creative vision, style, and direction that continuously challenges and inspires my own. I am so proud to see how much they’ve grown with each other and continue to be unapologetic about their ideas. I have no doubt that all of you will continue to thrive and keep making the world more colorful with your art!
CHLOE EVERS LAYOUT
Being a part of Strike for the past four years has been the most fun, creative, and rewarding experience by far. Turning countless hours of hard work and talent into a tangible body of art has been the highlight of every semester.
ARIEL LYDEN INSTAGRAM
To my team, fellow members, and wonderful execs, I could not be more proud of such a successful and wonderful issue! Love my Strike family!! xx Ariel
VICTORIA CIMINO TIKTOK
Thank you to my team, assistant, friends and fellow members for make my last semester a great one. I will cherish Strike for a long time. I’m so proud of everyone! <3 <3
KATRINA ORO PHOTO
After 8 semesters on Strike Photo, I can’t imagine leading any other team for my last semester! Thank you, Strike, for some of my most cherished memories. This issue was everything and more. Last one best one!
RJ BAÑEZ VIDEO
After wrapping up my third semester as director
In my 4th and final semester as director, I couldn’t be more proud of my video team; your passion, resilience, and creativity have made every moment unforgettable. You’ve turned this role into something far greater than a title, and I’m so blessed to have led this family. Keep striving for more, preciate y’all!
MAYA ESTREMADOYRO EVENTS
This past semester in Strike has been an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful to have been part of such a passionate and hardworking team. Thank you to everyone who contributed their creativity and
dedication—it’s been amazing to collaborate and grow together. Love my strike family!
AJA SOLEIL RUNWAY
As I prepare to graduate and step down as runway director, I leave with cherished memories and an immense pride in all that we’ve accomplished together—thank you for allowing me to be part of something truly special. I’ll always hold this community close to my heart.
AMANDA OLIVA BEAUTY
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked and grown with Strike over the past two years. It’s truly been a dream come true, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I deeply appreciate everyone on my team and the people who put in their time and effort into every detail.
GIOVANNA KEY BEAUTY
As my final semester with Strike Magazine comes to an end, I am incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey—your creativity and dedication have made this experience unforgettable. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Strike and all of you!
SALES & ADVERTISING BRYNN ESTBERG cheers to another incredible semester! I am so grateful to be surrounded by such talented people & beyond proud of everyone who made this issue the best one yet <3 xoxo, Brynn
NICOLE HYER BRAND AMBASSADOR
I am beyond grateful to have had yet another amazing semester with such a hardworking team. A special thanks to my assistant, Mia Hammer, I do not know what I’ll do without you by my side next year. I could not be happier to be apart of the Strike family and have the opportunity to work with such creative minds.
JULIA AMBROSE
EXTERNAL
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to this staff, exec, and my teammate Makenzie for making my first semester as External Director the best yet! I am so proud of issue 17 and all of the magic it has created, xoxo Julia! .
CAMILA KASSNER FINANCE
It’s been such a pleasure to serve as finance director for the last two years, and I can’t thank you all enough for the endless support! Thank you to my fellow directors, finance team members, and strike family for all your hard work to make each issue even better than the last. Although my time with strike has come to an end, I can’t wait to see what’s in store!! Strike Out xx
LAUREN VIVES EIC ASSISTANT
I am honored to have served as the first Assistant Editor-In-Chief of Strike TLH for Issues 16 & 17. This role has been more rewarding than I could have imagined. The most fulfilling part of my role has been working directly with our 20 teams and 217 staff members. A special thanks to Isa and Ella for welcoming me onto Exec
with open arms. Also, to Marcela and Julia for being incredible to work with. You guys are the most down-to-earth, and for lack of a better word, cool people I have ever met. Love you Strike - Thank you for the best last semester!
DALTON LAIN STYLING
As my final chapter with Strike comes to a close, I’m incredibly grateful for every shared experience over the past three years— especially with the people I’ve grown to love the most. Thank you to my beautiful team and to my amazing assistants, Bela and Kat—your dedication made my final issue the most special yet. *smooch*
JAYDEN MATHENY NATIONAL LIASON
Serving as National Liaison Director has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Strike journey. I’m proud of the systems we’ve built and the connections we’ve strengthened across chapters. To my amazing team—thank you for your hard work, heart, and consistency. This role has pushed me to grow as a leader and deepened my passion for creative collaboration. I’ll always carry this experience with me.
RUBY BILLIMORIA PRODUCTIONS
Thank you, Strike, for another incredible semester. I’m so grateful to work alongside such a passionate, creative, and dedicated team. And to my assistant, Sam—thank you for always showing up and being there whenever I needed you. It’s a privilege to be part of something so meaningful. I can’t wait for everyone to see
the love and creativity that went into Issue 17.
ALYSSA GONZALEZ MERCHANDISE
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be the director of merchandise this semester! huge thank you to my team who helped me create some amazing merch this semester!
MARCELA
NIEVES ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Feeling incredibly fulfilled and proud to have assisted in the creative direction of the past two magazine issues. Thank you to my teams for all your hard work and creative energy and to Julia for being the best creative director assistant to work alongside with. And of course, saving the best for last ;)—a special thank you to Isa, Ella, and Lauren for trusting me with this role. I’ve learned so much from you all and can’t wait to see everything you achieve in the near future !
JULIA CLIFFORD
ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Issue 17 has been one of the most rewarding yet bittersweet issues yet, full of personal beginnings and even more endings for those close to me. To my teams, thank you for the long days and countless hours; I hope you all are as proud of your work as I am!!! And to all of the Strike family, especially Ella, Isa, Lauren, and Mar, I will forever be grateful for having such incredibly creative role models and partners around me. Thank you Strike with all my heart, Julia <3
Letter from the Editor
I’ve been putting this off.
Maybe it’s the subconscious denial. Maybe it’s the lack of words that could ever fully capture what these past four years have meant to me. Or maybe it’s classic senioritis kicking in. Whatever the cause, the result is the same.
The phrase “all good things come to an end” has echoed in my mind these past few months. A constant reminder to savor every fleeting second, every meeting, every shoot, every late night that turned into morning. But lately, I’ve been asking myself: What if the best is yet to come?
Because endings are never really the end– are they?
Strike has consumed me in the best way possible—an all-in kind of love. For four years, Strike has been my identity, my purpose, and my home. One year as Digital Director, another as Creative Director, and finally, Editor-in-Chief. Strike was my mentor, teaching me the subjects too grand for the likes of textbooks or lectures. I’ve learned how to lead, how to listen, and how to trust. I’ve learned to fight for something I believe in and how to walk away proud, even when it’s hard to let go.
Since day one, my goal has been to push the fashion and creative community forward in Tallahassee—to elevate the standards, make space, and build something lasting. Strike has always been about more than fashion. It’s about turning an aesthetic idea into a functional facet of one’s liking. And this year, more than ever, it’s been about legacy.
I remember being a freshman, just a model on set, wide-eyed, in awe that a college town in Florida could produce something so bold. I asked anyone who’d listen how I could help– where there was room for the fervent contributions of an eighteen-year-old dying to be involved. Back then, even joining the staff felt like a dream. Editor-in-chief wasn’t even on my radar. I just wanted to be in the room. What a surreal honor it has been to lead it.
The theme “Best for Last”, in so many ways, feels like it was written for this very
moment. It’s not just about grand finales or capturing a fleeting exit. It’s about endurance, intention, and every ounce of heart that brought us to this point. It’s a display of how the best things are held by the gentle hand of time and how nothing good ever really dies–rather, they evolve.
To our staff, directors, and contributors— you are the beating heart of this publication. Thank you for your ideas, hustle, willingness to try again when things went wrong, and for pushing harder when you could have just as easily walked away. You’ve made this magazine feel bigger than any one of us. What we’ve built together will outlast us all.
To our models—thank you for trusting us. You’ve been the face of our stories, breathing every concept to life with presence and power. Thank you for trusting the vision and dedicating countless hours to creating with us, even when the vision means being covered head to toe in paint.
To my friends and family—thank you for being the quiet strength behind all this. You may not have been in the rooms, on the shoots, or in the meetings, but your love carried me through, reminding me of who I was outside of all this. I hope I’ve made you all proud.
To Lauren, our very first Editor-in-Chief assistant. You’ve been the backbone of this executive board, solving problems before they even hit the table. You’ve been our calm, our constant, and exactly the puzzle piece we didn’t know we needed. Thank you for your dedication and the sacrifices you made behind the scenes. I promise they have not gone unnoticed.
To Julia and Marcela—this may be a theme about endings, but this is just the beginning for you both. Introducing you to Strike was a privilege, but watching you lead has been an even greater one. From your first meetings to your first shoots to your first cover stories, you’ve already left your mark. Thank you for providing me the comfort of knowing that Strike is in the best hands. I’ll always be your biggest fan—rather, your big sister, forever proud of what’s ahead for you.
And last, but most importantly, thank you to Ella. Some people you meet, and you don’t even need to know much about them to just know they have it– that ease, that kind of magic you can’t fake. Ella is that person. I’m so thankful that our stars aligned and that, somehow, we ended up on this journey together. Ella, every idea you’ve had has sparked something bigger between us, allowing our combined visions to grow into something greater than anything we could’ve dreamed alone. This year has tested us and forced us to dig deeper than we thought possible. But through every return run, chaotic latenight edit, sleepover, errand, and the many wheelchairs you pushed me in, you stayed grounded. More than anything, I’m grateful that I got to do all of this with my best friend. I know, without a doubt, you are going so far. Whether it’s Europe, New York, or even Gainesville—the world is our oyster. I hope we never stop creating together.
This magazine is more than a few pages. Years from now, when you pull this issue off a shelf or find it tucked away in a box, I hope you remember the energy in the room, the laughter at the meetings, the risks we took, the people we met, and the beauty of building something together. I hope it continues to make you feel proud.
I hate goodbyes, but this isn’t really one.
Time doesn’t stop– merely transitions. My time with Strike has run its course, but what a beautiful ride it’s been. The best kind of bittersweet. I may be done, but this is just the beginning—for all of us. This legacy lives on beyond the realm of our existence.
So, take your time. Let it burn slowly. And when the moment comes, give it your all.
Because the best is never behind us.
It’s what is yet to come.
Isabel Choi, Editor-in-Chief Strike Out,
Letter from the Creative Director
There’s something special about final moments— their impending loom over one’s head, their refusal to be ignored, followed by a swinging pendulum of nostalgia or eminence. Even in the heap of the journey’s end, on that last display of crowning glory, whether it concludes with tears or smiles, we put everything out on the line until the curtain closes on us. We feel called to offer up our best one last time, demanding presence rather than spectacle. We do it to celebrate people, moments, and dreams that have guided us on the road to getting where we stand now. We do it in the absence of regret. We do it in commemoration, appreciating all we have built in the hope of replicating the years’ worth of joy, strife, and gratitude in the exact way they were felt one final time.
Four years, eight issues (two as creative director), and some thousand pages. I’ve spent so much of my time at Florida State living, breathing, and exuding Strike. And in the course? Co-collaborators became my friends, and those friends became my family. Shoot days gifted me my fondest memories, and what was once a passion reintroduced itself as purpose, evolving into the ever-present spark I can’t seem to live without. Hence, I find myself choking up while writing this goodbye.
But remember what I said about final moments? There’s an all-consuming tendency to preserve them, wrap them up in plastic, and capture the lasting embrace of their merit. Well, if you consider it, the disposed feeling of the experience, as it relates to closing chapters–and magazines, especially the nation’s largest student-run magazine like the one you hold in your hand–is something of an honor of one’s accomplishments. It is a reminder of our time here. This happened. Take the last act as one grandiose thank you. After all, when have we ever been known to be subtle? Enter the theme for this issue.
Thank you to all of our directors, staff, my dedicated
shoot team, and our models– the many hundreds of you. You each have contributed a unique viewpoint or skill set that has made this magazine whole. The creative community you foster is, and forever will be, the thing I love most about Strike.
To my assistants, Lauren, Marcela, and Julia, I couldn’t be prouder of you or the dedication you’ve shown this semester. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with you, and an even greater honor seeing our bonds transcend the professional realm into several cherished friendships.
To my family and friends, who have provided me with enough love and support to last a lifetime, thanks are due a million times over.
To my creative partner and best friend, Isabel Choi, I have you to thank most of all. Together you and I have weathered curses, cancellations, all-nighters, damnnear trespassing charges, and now two matching tattoos honoring this collection of paper and ink. Our pursuits have landed us in untold, unseemly, and unregrettable places, but the results have always spoken for themselves. I truly believe we were fated to meet, and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for you next.
As such: Issue 17–The Best for Last Issue. Not a clapping-back retrospective. Not a “remember how it used to be” effort. Not a wary or uncompassionate take on life, college, holding on, moving up, or even magazines, but a first-class embrace of the experience that is to be cherished. For the end is only as good as what we make of it, and (as we love to say) why not choose to go out with a bang?
For the last time…. Strike Out,
Ella Brignoni, Creative Director
All ThingsMust ComeEnd! to an Good
Debut ACT I
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves
Isabel
SEAMSTRESS Isabela Jahnes BEAUTY Giovanna Key, Amanda
Lyden PHOTOGRAPHERS Katrina Oro, Matthew Stember VIDEOGRAPHER RJ
STYLISTS
Choi, Ella Brignoni STYLING TEAM Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves
Oliva NAILS Jazmin Ashley TALENT Ariel
Bañez LAYOUT Clara Celedon
Places, Please!
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves SHOOT STAFF Angelika Ziemecki, Daniella Giron, Shannon Kern, Isabella Sugar, Owen Hill STYLIST Dalton Lain STYLING TEAM Isabela Jahnes, Kat Davis, Camille Marshall, Cassidy Millhouse, Daniella Acosta, Sydney Albanese GOLD SET DESIGNER Camille Marshall MEN’S PANTS DESIGNER Cassidy Millhouse BLUE CORSET DESIGNER Isabel Choi BEAUTY Giovanna Key, Marlena Trudnak, Addison Walker NAILS Jazmin Ashley TALENT Payton Muscto, Samantha Morgan, Jade Love, Oscar Lopez PHOTOGRAPHER Joey Harbour VIDEOGRAPHERS Carmen Leggett, Ella Denny, Carina Herrera, Blake Boyar TIKTOK Kelcy Cofield PRODUCTIONS Nina Valdes LAYOUT Carly Collins STAGE DESIGNER Avery Reese
Potential Energy
SHOOT DIRECTORS
Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT
ASSISTANTS Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves
SHOOT STAFF Sophia Beil, Leah Christie, Ariel
Lyden, Shelby Grason, Emma Stanfield
STYLISTS Isabel Choi, Dalton Lain STYLING
TEAM Isabela Jahnes, Evangelina Villanustre, Taylor Farscht BEAUTY
Marlena Trudnak, Amanda Oliva NAILS
Jazmin Ashley TALENT
Emma Stanfield, Sydney Markey
PHOTOGRAPHER RJ Bañez VIDEOGRAPHERS Elli Aristegui, Jackson Tessmer TIKTOK Callie Cincotta PRODUCTIONS Ruby Billimoria, Karsten Edwards, Ottorina Heatherman, Tara Calambakkam, Caroline Fish LAYOUT Cole Martucci
WRITERS Daniella Garcia-Novas, Isabelle Kim EDITORS Grace Groover, Lindsey Limbach
I know that I cannot stay. Holding my breath, I begin to suffocate under all the nothing left. Familiarity begins to rot in my hands and the illusion of security in stagnancy begins to crumble at my feet. I am left standing in the pieces of a past self I no longer fit. The air around me grows thick with the scent of endings; I have no choice but to become porous to the space around me. Change mercilessly flaunts itself in front of me. I look down at the cuffs around my wrists and feel the keys dance in my pocket. I am sensitive like a child’s tooth, demanding to fall out but stubborn for another day. Dangling by a thread, I ache with the anticipation of the inevitable. I’m not sure what my obsession is with begging to stay. It should be easy—just one small tug, one final surrender. Part of me fixates on the idea that delay could somehow rewrite the ending. The soldiers of my future self begin to bang on the door, and I am left trapped in an aging fortress. I can sense the crisp air of liberation on the other side, but first, I must endure the battle between us. I have no choice; she has chosen for us. I know that I cannot stay. Our battle begins before I can even lift my sword.
Change is relentless; each of her strikes lands with swift precision, and the force of inevitability knocks me off my feet while my hands grasp for remnants of the past. Change is unforgiving; she acts without hesitation, and her will is unwavering even at my resistance. She tears down the walls of comfort and familiarity I had built, only to reveal they had imprisoned me all along. Begrudgingly, I fight and cling to the edges of my past, longing for the comfort of the borders I once drew.
My resistance accelerates change as she feeds on my defiance, transforming my hesitation into the force that propels her forward. Her whispers swell into gale-force winds, assailing me until I can no longer withstand them; exhaustion overtakes me. I loosen my grip, letting my arms fall open. The fight dissolves into silence, and through the pure serenity of the moment, I realize—I was never meant to win. Change is not a force to be fought. The key in my pocket digs into my skin, its final warning urging me to freedom. With trembling hands, I twist it, holding my breath until I hear a crisp click. The cuffs fall away, clattering against the remnants of my past as I take my first steps forward. Change guides me into her arms, and for the first time, I do not pull away. Untethered, the burdens of past expectations slip away like silk, and I am overcome with weightlessness. I am light, untamed, and unbound, rooted in lessons yet reaching for the unknown. I finally meet the sunlight, stretching beyond the boundaries of my past.
An Interview with Archived Dreams Made to Last:
WRITER Isabel Choi EDITOR Lindsey Limbach
Some people view the future like it’s something you chase.
Others live like it’s already unfolding around them.
I first met Hector Quintanilla in high school, in a small Texas town where conversations about fashion or design felt rare—if not completely foreign.
We’d run into each other at the usual parties; house lights low, music up— the kind of nights where everyone else talked about everything and nothing. I’d often find myself lost in conversation with Quintanilla about what moved us. Fashion. Sustainability. The dream of getting out—of building something that meant something.
Back then, he was secretly starting what would become Archived Dreams. A private collection of product images, design references, and things he loved but couldn’t afford. It wasn’t about making it big. It wasn’t even about building a brand. It was just about having a space where his ideas could live.
Five years later, we’re no longer in the corner of a party discussing our halfformed plans. Hector joins me from his home in Milan as we use this call as an opportunity for a reunion between friends; talking not about what could be, but about what is, what’s been built, and what’s still to come. Archived Dreams has evolved into a platform rooted in design, intention, and longevity—a brand, nearly seven years in the making, shaped not by ego or hype but by care. By curiosity. By
the kind of thinking that asks not what’s trending but what’s worth keeping. And while the clothes, objects, and ideas he showcases have changed, the purpose hasn’t: to build something made to last.
Isa: Tell me a bit about your background and what inspired you to start Archived Dreams.
Hector: It all started because I didn’t feel like I had the space to have specific conversations I wanted to have. When I was younger, my grandfather, who was an architect, had two passions in his life: construction and art. He collected all kinds of things: furniture, artwork, weird objects. He used to sit me down in front of the computer and show me picture after picture of his architecture. At the time, I just wanted to run around. I didn’t get it. I’d look at the buildings and think, “Why is it funky? Why is it weird?” I didn’t even realize it was just design. But that opened my eyes early. By high school, I felt myself gravitating toward art and design, but I didn’t know anyone around me who cared about those things. I started Archived Dreams as a way to have those conversations— speaking into what felt like the void of the internet. I didn’t expect anyone to be on the other side. But come to find out, there were like-minded people all around.
Isa: What were the first posts like?
Hector: At the very beginning, I was downloading pictures off the internet of stuff I really wanted but couldn’t afford. Just simple content—product shots I found while surfing the Internet. In high school, I had a lot of time, so I’d go down rabbit holes and
post like 10 times a day. I was obsessing over different design things, clothes, objects—whatever felt worth sharing.
Isa: Did you have a goal in mind at first?
Hector: Ironically, I didn’t dream big enough to think that what’s current reality was possible. The mission came later. I had to introspect: “What is it that I’m doing this for?” I think people get stuck in their own heads, not wanting to start something just because they feel like they need to have it all figured out first. But, the farmer who waits for perfect weather never plants.
Isa: When did it feel like the account could go somewhere?
Hector: It was never one moment. Two years in, I realized there’s this attention, this audience. I might as well find a way to make this some sort of side hustle. I started selling some vintage online since I already had the means to market it. Then it evolved into marketing services for different brands, consulting, events, directing campaigns, and now helping brands with manufacturing. I continue to dive into technology and see what opportunities there are.
Isa: How would you describe what you do now?
Hector: I consider myself a design catalyst. Yes, I’ve designed before—a bunch of different stuff, from products to clothing to furniture. I’ve also been super obsessed with the idea of designing experiences. You can do this through an event, but there are so many ways to
ARCHIVED DREAMS: @archived.dreams LAYOUT Chloe Evers
“The farmer who waits for the perfect weather never plants.”
design an experience. Every single post is an experience in itself. People interact with it, and subconsciously, it aligns with your brand. It can either raise or lower the stock of the brand in their minds—because a brand lives in people’s minds. I help creators in many ways, for example helping them with marketing, creating community, world-building or bringing ideas to life.
Isa: What’s your creative process like?
Hector: Inspiration always comes. It can be a conversation I have with a friend, or it can be something I read, or it can be as simple as riding your bike around the city and just seeing the beautiful scenery. It depends. Sometimes diving deep into research, but sometimes it can be something very simple. I think, as humans, we’re antennas. And we can pick up on the signal. It just comes when it comes. Now with the team, it’s easier to brainstorm. I’ve tried to build structure, but inspiration is volatile. Ultimately, I want the feed to inspire—new designs, new ideas, whatever it may be.
Isa: Have you dealt with doubt or burnout?
Hector: I think, in life, there’s always this battle with doubt. Even now, for the projects I’m pushing, I think it’s a constant battle—doubt within myself and even now with the team. People believe that doubt is the absence of faith, but doubt is still faith. It’s just the opposite of it. It’s your belief in something negative. It’s always a battle of whether we have to not point towards that negative outcome but point towards a positive and keep pushing towards that direction even though things may happen. We gotta push this forward, and it is going to happen. Things fall through, but
it’s about keeping the faith in new ideas.
Isa: What drew you to archival fashion?
Hector: I think archival fashion is this appreciation for something made with intention and made to last. The world is stuck in a super sped-up consumerism. These are things that stood the test of time. For design, that’s the biggest challenge. Archive fashion in itself is anti-fashion with its concepts. Fashion can be a commodity or it can also be an art form. But I think one of the big things that separates it is the concept. A good product with a concept elevates it. Without that, it’s just fast and empty.
Isa: What’s the current mission behind Archived Dreams?
Hector: We were created to create, to expand on creation itself. The mission is to empower creators worldwide. I call it a virtuous cycle—just like there are negative cycles. In a virtuous cycle, creation needs to be sustained by better communication and better business. It all feeds each other. We all have this drive to make things better.
Isa: Have you had any “I made it” moments?
Hector: I still think I haven’t made it. There’ve been surreal moments—getting flown out by Adidas, going to Paris Fashion Week, creatively directing a campaign for Vans, meeting Michèle Lamy. Having the team out in Paris. But I don’t think I’ve made it. It’s just small moments along the way, but it’s about savoring those. I don’t think I would be doing myself any good if I took one of those moments and was like, okay, I’m at the top of the mountain I’ve made it;
now it’s time to go down. I chase growth every day. I’ll know I’ve made it when I die.
Isa: What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Hector: Just start. Put it out there. If you have to hide behind an “alter ego” at first, do it. The hardest part is starting, creating is similar to writing. Once you put the pen to paper, then you allow your actual thoughts to flow and then you’re actually creating. Analysis paralysis is poison. Just go. Just do. It’s gonna suck at first, but that’s part of it.
Isa: What legacy do you want to leave behind?
Hector: Fuck
Isa: It’s a big question. Hector: That’s a great question. I think about the mission, the virtuous cycle, and the impact. That really drives me and motivates me. I want it to get to a point where even a kid with no access to these cities, people, or conversations can start and build something that adds to the world and society overall. I want to leave something behind that can benefit— ideally—not just my children but my grandchildren. That idea of some kid in the middle of nowhere, maybe misunderstood by people around him, feeling empowered enough to build something from scratch and make the world slightly more beautiful or better in some way or fashion. Fuck yeah, and then multiply that by many more.
CONCEPT Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SPECIAL THANKS Teddy Tollett
PHOTOGRAPHER
Matthew Stember
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Lily Cosentino, Ella Denny, RJ Bañez LAYOUT Cole Martucci
Thank You, for That Special Way of Feeling
WRITER Ella Brignoni
It’s a promise of life. The joy, the suffering, and that special way of feeling. However it may come to you, you welcome it. I write as it was recollected to me. Out of which each experience, so pantingly full of life, might ooze and instantly transport you as if you were there to experience it yourself. The homeowner sustains the delicate essential of conversation. I am warming up my vocal cords to get started, settling in on a chair positioned perfectly to inquire the tales of others. When I get here, I forget why I am ever tempted to jump ahead through my days, thinking of what comes next. What is my story going to be? What things await me? But the reality is I am discovering it as I go. How strange it is to pause when the rush comes so naturally to me—to all of us.
How do I know what will come if I have never lived it? I know that I am human. I know words are sounds transfused with unequal shadows that intersect, vibrant and sharp as the record player’s needle transfigured with music that bounces off the home’s cypress interior.
Everything in the world is accompanied by the emphatic ruffle of a drum beaten by a soldier. The moment I open my mouth to speak in the pyramid, the world goes quiet. Suddenly, the drums cease and I may begin my story. All of a sudden I am here and I am alive. I know certain things because I have the time and space to recall them. Even the empty pauses to catch one’s breath have the value and appearance of plenty. One way of having is not asking and believing in that silence. The outcome goes beyond words and sentences and discovering what is unknown. I’ll venture into something essential to understanding the narrative I speak of now: that the structure is accompanied from beginning to end by an invitation to lead conversations in its holy name.
With each story comes an attempt to sensitize myself. I am made well aware that each passing topic is a moment to be savored, and each day, like today, is a day stolen from death. I try to recall the last time I allowed a discussion to carry me through a novelty that picks up in small details. The homeowner’s speech sprouts life into the ground, cheerful amidst the banyan tree that runs through the temple’s interior. Like the discussions we embark on, emphasizing a close connection between the structure and its surrounding environment. Blessed is home, blessed are the whispers within it.
What a gift it is to abandon escaping. To all appearances, the pyramid is a refuge. But I, and the homeowner, know the truth. The enclosure is kept to cater to what is in front of us. To recognize the space as an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and feel fully present and at ease, obediently playing the role of being. The home and its owner exist in a topaz of splendor. I absorb his tales like a cloth soaking up water. Could it be that by entering the pyramid I am agreeing to preserve its secret? That joy comes from the things we cannot materialize but what we can remember at the prompt of someone’s asking. Only here can we enjoy the story that lives from hand to mouth.
I am well aware that when I leave so will the feeling. Maybe I don’t have to leave right away. To be kept within the insides of the structure, allowing the flow of conversation to do the finding for me. The pleasure, like today, is all mine. I think I’ll stick around for a while.
Center StageACT II
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves SHOOT STAFFER Owen Hill
STYLISTS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni STYLING TEAM Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves SEAMSTRESS Isabela Jahnes
BEAUTY Giovanna Key, Amanda Oliva, Marlena Trudnak
NAILS Jazmin Ashley TALENT Ariel Lyden, Abbi Mckane, Kelcy Colfield, Kristen Barnwell, Carmin Bliss, Sorayia Brown, Wisdom, Luna Abella PHOTOGRAPHERS Katrina Oro, Matthew Stember VIDEOGRAPHER RJ Bañez LAYOUT Angie Galletti
Act Two
WRITER Lindsey Limbach
The rich sounds of violins swell from a low hum to a vibrant and confident one, seducing those gathered in the theater. A figure emerges from the darkness, a woman draped in a black gown revealed by the warm spotlight. Rows of velvet seating stare back at the performer, each chair occupied by individuals eager to witness the moment about to transpire. Every ticket was purchased with this moment in mind—the second act. The woman clutches a microphone in her right hand as she glides across the stage to a staircase. As she ascends each step, she isolates the voice of each instrument in her mind—the beat of the drums, the radiance of the flutes, the warmth of the clarinets—all tools breathing life into the formation of the showcase. When she reaches the middle step, she stops and turns to the crowd, met with faces beaming at her with anticipation. She inhales deeply, her breath collecting in her diaphragm. She projects her voice—her vocals traveling like thick, sweet syrup, raising the stakes and enveloping the audience in an experience like no other.
The performer’s voice and position on the middle step aren’t the only factors that command attention. The pads that rest on her shoulders emulate the posture of a monarch, communicating strength and endurance to the performer’s onlookers. The ebony, ribbed fabric sloping down her chest to form a “V” mimicking the elegance linked with royalty. The appearance of these details is anything but accidental. Every choice made behind the scenes conspired to complement one another on stage, conveying a message. If an audience member’s gaze were to break free from the allure of the performer, they would become entranced by the understated, intricate details that assisted in forging the breathtaking artform before their eyes, bestowing appreciation upon them. They would see individual orchestra members, playing their instruments as if their lives depended on it. They would acknowledge that each prop included in the set design was intentionally placed to enhance the experience of the show. The prior act indeed managed to loosen up the crowd, laying the groundwork for the showcase, but even a first act could not have prepared the crowd for the pure magnetism known as Act 2.
“There
is something undeniabley satisfying about saving the best for last.”
First, Second, Forever
WRITERS Lauren Butrum, Dani Hernandez EDITORS Grace Groover, Lindsey Limbach
There is something undeniably satisfying about saving the best for last. Whether we hold off on watching the season finale of a show or continuously strive toward an elusive goal, we often romanticize the idea of waiting for the perfect moment. But in doing so, we risk letting opportunities slip away, chasing an illusion of perfection that may never come.
Romanticizing our lives doesn’t come naturally. We don’t immediately see the beauty in delayed gratification. Some fixate on the discomfort of sweat and dehydration on a hot day. Others immerse themselves in the sun’s warmth at its peak and the refreshing taste of a watermelon slice, becoming one with enjoyment. When an exam comes along, our first instinct isn’t to appreciate the privilege of learning—we see the experience as a stressful item on
a to-do list. But these frustrating moments aren’t inconveniences to rush through— They are essential chapters in our lives.
It’s tempting to push the hard parts of life away, but the truth is, without them, our highs wouldn’t feel as good. If we celebrate every day, what would we be celebrating? The contrast between the lows of life–feeling failure, boredom, and loneliness and the highs of life–success, love, and excitement allows us to value those high moments. If dreams came true instantly, would they feel as rewarding? We should embrace every step of the journey, the obstacles and the depression of setbacks, to truly appreciate our arrival at the destination.
Instead of seeing obstacles as something in your way, view them as a challenge. A way to strengthen your resistance. A
way to deepen the gratitude for what’s to come. The best things in life come to those who wait. Avoiding the complex parts of life only robs you of the growth they are meant to bring. We often think, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This is because life offers us adversity that shapes us in a way constant happiness never could. Bad things will happen to us because we are human, but how you use and grow from those tribulations truly brings out the goodness in life.
So, maybe “saving the best for last” isn’t about waiting but understanding that the journey is worth it. The struggles, the anticipation, and especially disappointments enrich our lives. And when that long-awaited achievement or dream finally becomes reality, we don’t just experience joy; we truly savor it.
CARVED OUT
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi,
Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS
Lauren Vives, Marcela Nieves
SHOOT STAFF
Angelika Ziemecki,
Daniella Giron, Shannon Kern, Isabella Sugar, Owen Hill STYLIST
Dalton Lain STYLING TEAM
Isabela Jahnes, Kat Davis, Camille Marshall, Cassidy Millhouse,
Daniella Acosta, Sydney Albanese
BEAUTY Giovanna Key, Erinlyn
Tirado NAILS Jazmin Ashley
TALENT Cassidy Tar, Ariel Turner, Kaitlyn Nonong PHOTOGRAPHER
Matthew Stember
VIDEOGRAPHERS Sidney Mazza, RJ Banez, Carina Herrera, Jackson Tessmer PRODUCTIONS
Ottorina Heatherman, Samantha
Tomasello LAYOUT Angie Galletti
Echoes of Creation
Beauty. Everything I have touched has blossomed into something breathtaking, reflecting the blood, sweat, and tears sacrificed to create my greatest project.
Every feature was a collage of my best traits, representing an idealized version of me. I had created a living breathing portfolio of myself that I continuously built upon.
This creation was not just another simple project of mine. It was not another painted canvas or enchanting sculpture. It was a living, breathing testament to the extent I was willing to diverge myself. This creature was immaculate and picturesque, dare I argue perfection. However, perfection comes with a price.
The masterpiece before me required the highest of upkeep, a price I was able and willing to pay, no matter how far I would lose myself in the process. Although this arrangement would be less than ideal for most, it didn’t matter.
It was truly a marvel to look at, an amalgamation of characteristics. All crafted and put together with the utmost care, with true attention to detail. I could gaze upon my creation for eternity, a sense of pride swelling in my chest the further I gazed. This would be my life’s work, one creation to rule them all, a high that would never end–better than any drug.
I fed it pieces of myself—-bone, breath, borrowed voices— until it stood taller than me. Until it spoke in a voice that used to be mine. I stitched it with careful hands, each seam
a compromise, each patch a piece of something I once called my own. It needed more. It always needed more.
So I carved away the edges of myself, hollowing out the parts that didn’t fit, sanding down the sharp corners where I once stood firm. I told myself it was devotion. Shedding. Refining. But that was the price of creation— the art of unbecoming so something else could exist.
It was beautiful, wasn’t it? The way it moved into spaces I never could, the way it was admired and accepted. And so I let it take my voice, gestures, and presence. I let it slip into the light while I retreated into the absence it left behind. I told myself this was a necessary sacrifice; a small price to pay.
But one day, I reached for myself and saw nothing. The voice in my throat was foreign. My hands moved, but not by choice. My once familiar reflection had blurred into something unrecognizable. I became an afterthought in my own story, a ghost haunting the shell of something greater.
But who would mourn me if the thing I became was loved? Who would miss what I was if this version was enough?
I stare at my masterpiece, and it stares back. It does not recognize me, and I no longer recognize myself either.
WRITERS Salette Cambra, Sophie Palmer
EDITORS Emily Montarroyos, Lindsey Limbach
Interrogation
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves
Silent Sacrifices
WRITERS Samantha Getchell, Isabelle Krukoski EDITORS Dani Hernandez, Layne Schulte, Lindsey Limbach
As the world spends year after year turning on its axis, steadily orbiting the sun, its landscape continues to evolve with every movement and moment in time. In our world, we can marvel at flocks of birds painted against the sky’s sunset, flourishing trees reaching up to comb the soft clouds, oceans, rivers, and waterfalls that release the chaos from our minds, diffusing it into the air. We can wonder countless things about our planet, but how can we do so? It was a thankless, daunting task, holding up the world. Wide, callused hands that splintered further each day, an endless ache in his shoulders as they slowly started to fit the curve of the planet resting there, sweat that felt like molten lava as it trailed down a weary back and pooled at the feet of Atlas. Necessary yet trivial burdens, all to ensure the safety of billions.
Although this task was a punishment, how could he begrudge the gods when he could smell the spices of the world, hear laughter from a species that was doomed should he fail, feel the heat of fireworks that burst too close to the now-hardened skin of his face? Atlas longed for the whisper of his name to be carried on the wind and greet his ears. He longed for the day he heard of a tale describing his sacrifice.
But those thoughts of recognition made him lose
focus, having to adjust his grip and send earthquakes rippling on the surface where his hands lay. From what he knew of the world, this would be a grievance, a marvel of nature to be awed and feared, blamed on movements of what the planet was made from, not who held it oh, so delicately—a protection from the endless black void of the universe.
Stretching to reach the edges of the Earth, clutching and gripping beneath the horizon, and ceaselessly bearing the weight of our globe, Atlas accepted his fate. For eternity, it is Atlas who fulfills the grievous yet requisite responsibility of supporting our precious world in all its glory and splendor, no matter how long he may desperately wish for recognition. Despite the floods of sweat racing down his spine, the pulsing burns in the fibers of his muscles, and the exhausted throbs in his bones and joints, Atlas knows that he must bear the weight of the world for it to be beheld. He has grappled with the greatness of his efforts unbeknownst to all and has fought endlessly with the impatience to be seen. Yet, he embraces a life of witnessing the sublime in the eyes of those on Earth and can smile crookedly yet bittersweetly, knowing they can do so because of him.
SHOOT STAFF Brooke Durney, Jade Lichtenstein, Mia Risolia, Olyvia Weber STYLIST Dalton Lain STYLING TEAM Isabel Choi, Isabela Jahnes, Asia Boyd, Eva Carbonara, Pablo Floyd, Sasha Viouchkov
PHOTOGRAPHERS Roen Medina, Yami VIDEOGRAPHERS Tanner Hirten, Lily Cosentino, Jackson Tessmer TIKTOK Sabrina Dagostino PRODUCTIONS Ruby Billimoria, Karsten Edwards LAYOUT Ishaa Khosla
BEAUTY Onyinye Onyia, Amanda Olivia TALENT Noah Lambert, Coley Thompson, Seydina Ba, Sawyer Stone
Life’s Sweet Spot
WRITERS Maria Carrillo, Parker Snaith
EDITORS Emily Montarroyos, Dani Hernandez, Lindsey Limbach
In life, theorists say we encounter three kinds of love: puppy, passionate, and everlasting love. Whoever they are, only time will tell. For me, well…
My first love, you were unforgettable. I’d never felt like this before. It was that feeling adults always talk about…when you know you know. I found myself leaning into whatever you said, whatever you did. You made my heart soar, how I’d deeply wanted it to. This was me knowing, right? Can sweethearts be forever? I won’t call it puppy love, because you were the sun to me—A necessity for my survival, the ignition of warmth. This sun eventually set, and I cast out my net… “The next one will be better,” I said.
When you arrived next, I thought it was right. I confused passion for eternity and this disillusion led me astray. Our incompatibility engulfed me, drowning me fast. Darkness overcame me because this sunshine was not built to last. Despite this, you illuminated revelations. I uncovered truths about my needs, boundaries, and standards. Most importantly, I chose to save myself. This was my truest act of bravery. Looking back, lightning struck before I could even fathom sailing for shore. The storm we left behind became the anchor of my new foundation. My sky became clearer, my air lighter, and the lessons you taught made me brighter. Through you, Second, I discovered I’d rather watch the sunrise alone than next to somebody I don’t truly know. I trusted the universe, praying for the day my Forever would arrive…
After weathering through tumultuous storms, you came along, my Forever. My everlasting love. You taught me what love truly is. It is kind and patient. It doesn’t judge or cause so much pain I cry myself to sleep. It’s real and honest. You love me like I’m brand new, accepting my faults, embracing all of me. You are my world, and I am yours. Our love is pure and warm, yet deep and gravitating. Your eyes, smile, and face were somehow familiar to me, like I knew you in a past life. When I met you, I knew you were my final and greatest love. I know now the hardship I endured led me to you. All the tears I cried over stupid boys, the heartbreak I had, it all led me to you…You, Third, truly are the definition of “saving the best for last.”
through
SHOOT STAFF Brooke Durney, Jade Lichtenstein, Mia Risolia, Olyvia Weber STYLISTS Isabel Choi, Dalton Lain STYLING TEAM Isabela Jahnes, Asia Boyd, Eva Carbonara, Pablo Floyd, Sasha Viouchkov, Aiden Smale
BEAUTY Brelan Ferrell TALENT Jonah Vignier, Camila Lam PHOTOGRAPHERS Yami, Tanner Hirten VIDEOGRAPHERS Carina Herrera, Jackson Tessmer, Elli Aristegui, Blake Boyar TIKTOK Victoria Cimino PRODUCTIONS Ruby Billimoria, Tara Calambakkam, Karsten Edwards LAYOUT Carly Collins
Burning Release
WRITERS Isabella Bowman, Kayla Perez-Fontain
EDITORS Emily Montarroyos, Dani Hernandez, Lindsey Limbach
The embers shine in the night, reminding me of the years of memories I have now lost. The fire symbolizes the remnants of what’s left behind—something beautiful reduced to ash and soot. I feel no remorse for eradicating the possessions I once cherished the most. The letters I read until my eyes went blurry, and the T-shirts worn so much that the lettering has nearly faded seem meaningless now. I want to be free of the material items that keep my mind and feelings grounded to the person I can no longer share a life with. Fleeting thoughts cross my mind, attempting to bring me to my senses, urging me to save my most prized possessions. “Get them out!” they scream, “You’re ruining them!” But I had to allow this relationship to end. There was no other choice. With tears welling in my eyes, I pick up one of our favorite books and heave it into the fire, watching the corners of the pages curl in slowly. The burning brings me the utmost satisfaction. I hate these objects. I hate these meaningless objects. All I want is to be free of the reminders that everything had to crumble to find my way back to myself, to shed the layers of my past.
But as the flames eat away at the pages, I swear I hear echoes—our voices tangled in late-night conversations, the way we used to read passages aloud, trading lines like secrets. The ink blisters, words smothered under the weight of heat and time, and I tell myself: This is justice. This is closure. And yet, my hands tremble. I crouch by the fire, its warmth licking at my skin, and wonder if destruction is the same as freedom. The scent of charred paper and melted wax fills my lungs, thick and sickly. The photos crumple in on themselves, faces warping, eyes disappearing into the dark. I should feel relief, but instead, I endure the weight of it all—I’m not just watching the past burn; I’m shedding a version of myself, peeling away who I was with them. I try to see it as rebirth, something cleansing. But as the flames consume, I don’t feel lighter. I only feel hollow.
The fire cracks, spitting embers into the air, and I flinch. I imagine the flames mocking me, whispering that memory cannot be destroyed, only rearranged—fragments that refuse to disappear. The last photograph curls inward, blackening before it crumbles. I lean closer, watching embers pulse like a dying heartbeat. The wind shifts, carrying the scent of smoke and something fainter—something sweet, like their skin after an afternoon outside, kissed by salt and citrus. It lingers just long enough to make my chest tighten. I tell myself it’s over. That I’ve burned it all. But as I turn away, a scrap flutters past my feet, untouched by the flames. A torn corner—too small to recognize, too stubborn to disappear. I leave it there, glowing in the dark. Maybe the fire was never enough.
Lasting Impressions
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS
Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford
SHOOT STAFF Sophia Beil, Leah Christie, Ariel Lyden, Shelby Grason, Emma Stanfield
STYLIST Dalton Lain
STYLING TEAM Isabela Jahnes, Evangelina Villanustre, Taylor Farscht FASHION DESIGNER Elle Orchard
STYLING TEAM Isabela Jahnes, Evangelina Villanustre, Taylor Farscht FASHION
DESIGNER Elle Orchard
BEAUTY Zoe Trafton NAILS Jazmin Ashley
TALENT Chasann Samuels
PHOTOGRAPHER Maria Penalver
The summer air was thick with the scent of chlorine, though the pool was nothing but a hollow shell filled with leaves and debris. The pair glanced at the pool’s floor, almost as if it was a mirror reflecting who they used to be before becoming strangers. Once, they would have leapt in without hesitation, both unafraid of the coldness they were about to submerge in because they had each other.
Time had stripped the innocence and laughter they once shared, just as it had drained them of the attributes that had once made them inseparable. She took in his perfectly pressed shirt and the polished way he presented himself while she struggled to pick matching socks every morning. One lived by the principle, while the other let perception rule their life, leading them down two separate paths. After all, no matter how tirelessly some people work towards creating a false persona to be remembered by, the truth always surfaces, revealing the true emptiness behind the carefully crafted illusion.
Running their hands along the porcelain tiles, the pair felt transported to a time when the story of their lives had yet to be written. Though they were once reflections of each other, like twin embryos in the womb, the birth of their egos had shattered the shared legacy they intended to leave behind.
While he was busy patching up holes in the concrete, afraid of the spillage that would come rushing out, the true nature of his soul exposed, she had embraced the current. The image he meticulously crafted of himself was everything, and he lost himself clinging to it. Adoration from others came naturally to her, it wasn’t something to be chased like he thought. The running had become exhausting, and despite his constant pursuit, he failed to realize that the pieces we leave behind aren’t for us to choose.
Our legacies shine brightest when we put out the most authentic parts of ourselves; and when we are nothing but dust, drained of every last droplet and left vacant, people won’t remember the crafted pieces—they will remember the ones we couldn’t help but leave behind.
At this moment, he couldn’t understand how the world’s opinions hadn’t swallowed her whole. Like the cold water that once engulfed him in this very pool, the perceptions of others had surrounded him constantly, pressing in from all sides.
He turned to her, searching for the answer in her face; how had she managed to slip through the fingers of expectation while he had let them close around his throat? She only smiled.
Her dancing barefoot on the hot pavement, how she laughed with her whole body, how she cried just as freely when something moved her; each moment lingering in the air for just a second before disappearing into the quiet hum of the pool. She didn’t perform joy or sadness; she lived it. Meanwhile, he had learned to curate every smile, step, and word. But the admiration he fought for had always felt distant, like applause from behind a thick pane of glass.
She had never needed to prove anything to anyone. People remembered her, not because she demanded to be seen, but because she had never hidden. Her legacy wasn’t carved out by force; it lingered in the spaces she had touched; in the lives she had brushed against without trying to leave a mark.
He spent so long struggling to stay afloat on the surface he had carefully constructed, only to find himself at the pool’s edge. No matter how hard he tried to shape the version of himself he wanted others to see, the ripples always settled to reveal the truth beneath. And here she was, floating effortlessly.
He wondered if it was too late to jump back in.
VIDEOGRAPHERS Blake Boyar, Tanner Hirten, Carmen Legget, Jackson Tessmer TIKTOK Kelcy Cofield LAYOUT Clara Celedon
SS25 STRIKE TLH
RUNWAY / C’EST LA FIN
STYLISTS Aja Soleil, Celine Johnson, Ariel Turner
BEAUTY Brelan Ferrell
TALENT Erin Blount, Adam Walker
PHOTOGRAPHER Katrina Oro
LAYOUT Chloe Evers
Passing TheTorch
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni
SHOOT ASSISTANTS Kate D’Amario, Sophia Poole, Jordan McAvin, Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves
STYLISTS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni
BEAUTY Giovanna Key, Marlena Trudnak, Addison Walker
Passing The Torch
WRITERS Camilla Alvarez, Emily Montarroyos
EDITORS Dani Hernandez, Lindsey Limbach
Culture can infiltrate every aspect of an individual whether one realizes this phenomenon or not. The ideals of those before us seep their way into our consciousness. Being the pillars for those to come represents the passing of experience, time, and foundation; igniting a spark, a catalyst for those who came after themselves—Giving everything they have to transform past aspirations into flames that fuel the future.
Building the bearings for generations to come can be an all-encompassing task. One can find themselves pushing through an unfamiliar atmosphere where they’re unsure if they will be accepted or disregarded. The flame of culture can falter threatening to blow out, as walls are built to block progress. Leaving this expectation of only focusing on the self and instead realizing that the next generation has yet to obtain their full potential. As time passes there is this struggle between wanting to live out one’s aspirations and accepting that not everything can be done alone it must be passed down, this is the essence of legacy. Coming to this dichotomy of laying the stepping stones for those to follow, while mourning one’s desires. Stifling the frustration and letting go, giving every experience and piece of the self, asking for nothing in return. There is an inherent selflessness that comes naturally. This unwavering willingness to pass down not only a culture but an identity that carries triumph and fear. Fear that the previous vision will be forgotten; That they will burn out. The passer embraces the unknown with open arms letting go of the reluctance to share their ingenuity with individuals who have not fully broken their molds. The
sparks have become ignited with vitality; the torch is freely given away with the curiosity of where it’s headed next.
But holding the torch is not easy. The world does not always welcome differences, and assimilation is often the simplest path. The flame passed down flickers in the face of new environments, new languages, and the subtle pressure to blend in rather than stand out. It is easier to conform than to hold onto traditions that others do not understand. The weight of their culture can feel like a gift and a burden—a constant struggle between honoring the past and finding space for ourselves in the present.
In this tension, the receiver must make a choice. Will the fire dim under the influence of those who do not see its value, or will it be fiercely protected? The struggle is not just about preserving traditions—it is about keeping the sacrifices, the stories, and the identity handed down alive. The receiver must learn that legacy is not about perfect replication but adaptation. Culture does not die because it changes; it dies when abandoned
Despite time passing, they cup their hands around the flame, shielding it from being extinguished. Legacy is not about preserving things just as they were but about carrying forward the values, stories, and lessons that shaped us. The fire may flicker, but if it is tended to and carefully passed down, it will never fully be extinguished.
TALENT Aja Soleil, Jada Travis, Cameron O’Brien, Ariel Lyden PHOTOGRAPHERS Widad, RJ Bañez
VIDEOGRAPHERS Ella Denny, Carmen Legget, Cindy Lam LAYOUT Alana Anderson
The FinaleGrand
WRITERS Grace Groover EDITOR Lindsey Limbach
It’s no wonder life imitates art— the rise and fall of a firework show, the beating heart of a symphony orchestra. Imagine watching your favorite show for hours, closely following the ebb and flow of action and inaction. You always know exactly which episodes are season finales, even among all the noise. With no room for ghosts of what could have been, endings offer a seal on what was to allow us the freedom to figure out what comes next. But what is it about a grand finale that leaves us starving for more?
The anticipation of an ending makes the height of these moments linger in our minds, allowing the excitement to remain fresh long after they are gone. As we gradually approach the closing of a happening, we tighten our grasp before it becomes a memory. Endings remind us of the temporary nature of our lives, thus encouraging us to savor every moment.
All of this being said, the actual ending of a moment provides us with more than our
colorless judgments of it. Think about the moment the final buzzer rings and your favorite basketball team has finally set their win in stone. You walk away talking in-depth, not about the second or third basket made, but the triumph felt once the outcome was completely certain. We praise these grand finales because they emotionally charge us. A well-rounded and heartfelt closing scene can completely transform our opinions of any movie. Maybe halfway through you were indifferent, but the grand finale ultimately shapes your memory of the film.
While the concept of an ending may seem like it carries a solemn air, we put our all into going out with a bang. An artist saving their most thrilling song for last or a walk-off grand slam to win the game are things that hold the power to shape our lasting view of our moments. The culmination of our enjoyment is inevitable, yet every finale in our life becomes grand when we reserve the remarkable moments for the end.
Elle
Orchard
Samuel
Valenti VIDEOGRAPHERS
Lily
Cosentino, Joelle
Strezler
TALENT
Ambar
Collaz
Final Bow ACT III
SHOOT DIRECTORS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni SHOOT ASSISTANTS Lauren Vives, Julia Clifford, Marcela Nieves SHOOT STAFFER Owen Hill
STYLISTS Isabel Choi, Ella Brignoni BEAUTY Giovanna Key, Amanda Oliva, Marlena Trudnak NAILS Jazmin Ashley TALENT Ariel Lyden PHOTOGRAPHERS Katrina Oro, Matthew Stember VIDEOGRAPHER RJ Bañez TIKTOK Kelcy Colfield LAYOUT Chloe Evers
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Credits
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Isabel Choi, Lauren Vives*
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Ella Brignoni, Julia Clifford*, Marcela Nieves*, Brooke Durney, Jade Lichtenstein, Shelby Grason, Sophia Beil, Ariel Lyden, Leah Christie Emma Stanfield, Isabella Sugar, Owen Hill, Olyvia Weber, Angelika Ziemecki, Daniella Giron, Mia Risolia, Shannon Kern
DIGITAL
Kate D’Amario, Sophia Poole*, Katie Perdomo*, Jordan McAvin*, Olivia Izquierdo, Carmin, Bliss Kilpatrick, Isabella Aalto, Sean Fuchs, Mallory Lumpkin, Olivia Hill, Kensington Wheeler, Maya Cain, Gabriella Martinez, Lauren Lee, Allison Perez, Aiden Smale , Caroline Symons, Kristen Barnwell, Natasha Tanner, Sophia Kelbert, Brianna LaPella, Yinelys Esquivel, Amanda Flinchbaugh
WRITING
Lindsey Limbach, Dani Hernandez*, Grace Groover*, Layne Schulte*, Emily Montarroyos*, Isabelle Kim, Salette Cambra, Daniella Garcia-Novas, Isabella Bowman, Daniela Mendoza, Maria Carrillo, Lauren Butrum, Zara Khan, Michelle Chadwell, Isabela Ochoa, Elizabeth D’Amico, Isabella Santiago, Samantha Getchell, Kayla Perez Fontaine, Camila Alvarez, Sophie Palmer, Parker Snaith, Isabelle Krukoski, Gabi Barroso, Camila Ciampi
GRAPHICS
Mica Cortez, Sarah Paskiewicz*, Rafael Lisboa, Ryan Hanak, Joaquin Barnette, Carly Collins, Cole Martucci, Kate LaPine , Annabella McDaniel
LAYOUT
Chloe Evers, Clara Celedon*, Alana Anderson, Angie Galletti, Ishaa Khosla, Carly Collins, Cole Martucci
Ariel Lyden, Samantha Goldberg* Mazzy Flint, Lea Khawaja, Ava Likins, Katiana Redchuk, Bella Puleo
TIKTOK
Victoria Cimino, Kelcy Cofield*, Mia Lopez, Isabel Fauteux, Callie Cincotta, Sabrina Dagostino, Ava Likins
PHOTO
Katrina Oro, Matthew Stember*, RJ Bañez, Joey Harbour, Samuel Valenti, Yami, Widad, Roen Medina, Ella Denny, Maria, Penalver, Tanner Hirten
VIDEO
RJ Bañez, Ella Denny*, Blake Boyar, Carmen Leggett, Carina Herrera, Cindy Lam, Elli Aristegui, Lily Cosentino, Joelle Stressler, Julia Niles, Sidney Mazza, Tanner Hirten, Jackson Tessmer
SALES & ADVERTISING
Brynn Estberg, Olivia Tveras*, Luca Tresoldi, Emily Barsky, Daniela Astralaga, Nicole Finch, Hanna Comas, Isabella Dodani, Chrissy Fontaine, Andrea Sacasa, Bemnet Negash, John Barahona
EVENTS
Maya Estremadoyro, Jasmine Hur*, Natalia Gomez*, Giovanna Key, Alexandra Alvarez, Jasmine Limas, Erin Nixon, Maya Coan, Kendall Hannan, Carolina Castro , Jade Chancis, Alivia Corral , Lauren Gonzalez
RUNWAY
Aja Soleil, Brianna Heaney*, Celine Johnson*, Ariel Turner, Skylar Edisis, Stella Dauval, Kaley Dunn, Morgan Hooks, Jana Hur, Alexa Swecker, Allison Beltrani, Cameron O’Brien, Luna Abella
BEAUTY
Amanda Oliva, Giovanna Key, Marlena Trudnak, Erinlyn Tirado
Onyinye Onyia, Ella Strickland, Emmie Collins, Zoe Trafton, Brelan Ferrell, Addison Walker, Jazmin Ashley (Nails)
BRAND AMBASSADOR
Nicole Hyer, Mia Hammer*, Julia Shirazyan, Angelina Lezcano, Brianna Cloutier, Brooke Boccuzzi, Ella Kavanagh, Alana Anderson, Chanel Laidler, Kylie Giasson, Lorena Olivo, Sophia Florias, Jaydaliz Ruiz Cruz
EXTERNAL
Julia Ambrose, Makenzie Seibel
FINANCE
Camila Kassner, Jordan Kilday*, Daniela Astralaga, Elisa Chong
STYLING
Dalton Lain, Isabela Jahnes*, Kat Davis*, Asia Boyd, Evangelina Villanustre, Taylor Farscht, Daniella Acosta, Eva Carbonara, Cassidy Millhouse, Pablo Floyd, Riley Hatfield, Ava Ciaglia, Sydney Albanese, Sasha Viouchkov, Camille Marshall
PRODUCTIONS
Ruby Billimoria, Samantha Tomasello*, Nina Valdes, KellyAnne Correale, Tara Calambakkam, Karsten Edwards, Caroline Fish, Ottorina Heatherman
NATIONAL LIASION
Jayden Matheny, Paige McGuin, Sophia Paret, Emma Muersch Jonah Vignier
MERCHANDISE
Alyssa Gonzalez, Rachel Burke*,, Melissa Aguiar, Rafael Lisboa, Sydney DeCarlo, Kya Akins, Emma Maguire
Curtain Call
The curtain call initiates, allowing for acknowledgment of the hard work witnessed moments before. Like a warm blanket, recognition wraps around the shoulders of each contributor as they return to the stage one last time, hands clasped together.
Each word of praise falls at their feet like roses hurled from a standing ovation. A moment of reflection falls upon those behind
the performance and those who attended. Although production has ceased, completion has never felt so rewarding.
over just yet offers reassurance. The show must go on as the conclusion of one show ultimately means the beginning of another. The team members set off, exiting the stage in different directions. As their paths diverge toward different futures, the knowledge that the show is not
The closing of a chapter is celebrated with sweet satisfaction and soft smiles rather than bittersweet claw marks left by refusal to let go. Rising from their final bows, each collaborator turns to their neighbor and nods in acceptance.
WRITER Lindsey Limbach
