Strike Magazine Issue 09

Issue 9

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Child’s Play

Spread your Legs

Reformation Releases New Active Line

Affair of the Heart

CHECK OUT

STRIKE BLOG www.strikemagazines.com

Inside a Painting 2

Love Stung

Girls Who Skate

Pleasure in the Park

Rep

Strike at FSU College Ave. Tallahassee, FL, 32304

To: The Models and Staff of Strike, Studio 715, FSU Equestrian Club, Wonsuponatime Vintage

Thank you for all your time and energy this semester, we couldn’t do all of this without you!

Strike in Style Check out our Strike Merch

239-297-0622 Working hard to keep Florida residents and the environment safe

Editor in Chief: Savannah Tindall DIRECTOR AND LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner PHOTOGRAPHER Layla Mathews Creative Director: Emily Russell BEAUTY Rebecca Short MODEL Michelle Poreh Creative Team Members: Cate Adams, Caroline Dejtiar, Mary DeLorenzo, Hannah Fliess, Reese Hafner, Colby Milchin, Hanna Peddicord, Jade Sievers, Jonathan Santos Advertising Director: Brianna Winders Advertising Team Members: Natalie Bertsch, Alexa Casanueva, Emma Roush, Cordelia Seymour

Art Director: Audrey Estupinan Art Assistants: Giana Carew, Sophia Villiers-Furze

VOLUME 9

Art Team Members: Emily Boden, Valerie Esquivel, Isabel Ionata, Cesarae Jensen, Madison Karram, Ali MacCloud, Kyle Maguire, Daniela Rodriguez, Tara White

Beauty Director: Helen Trawick Beauty Team Members:

Cameron Fricke, Cara Longstreth, Katie Russell, Carson Schultz, Rebecca Short, Abby Wright

Brand Ambassador Director: Grace Castilow

Brand Ambassador Team Members: Brianna Bascle, Devin Box,

Isabel Burden, Kate Eldridge, Olivia Ellis, Abby Gleason, Stephanie Gonzalez, Delaney Hanson, Taylor Kirby, Jordan Leeds, Sarah Morris, Ally Parrish, Samantha Petters, Gabriela Sicardi, Abigail Thielen, Anisa Velazquez, Kelsey Warnke, Keira Wilkinson

Digital Director: Amy Dantin Digital Assistants:

Catalina Correa, Diane Fish Digital Team Members: Nia Alexander, Elise Anderson, Taylor Colling, Alessandra Cruz, Cami Davis, Leah Davis, Abbey Fleming, Martelle Jackson, Adrian Junco, Heaven Le, Liv Ranalli, Alysha Steinman, Ansley Stevens, Sydney Tindall

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Events Director: Jacob Richards Events Team Members:

Sarah Amster, Sarah Lower, Peyton Pattillo, Grace Racadio

External Director: Sara Sanfilippo External Team Members:

Meredith Brosofsky, Tracy Hernandez, Kelsey McDermott

Finance Director: Fatima Hamad Finance Team Members: Victoria Cone, Lauren Nally

Layout Team Members: Molly Custis, Julia McCarthy, Taylor Moreno, Lily Riopelle Merchandise Director: Clara Trednick Merchandise Team Members: Alexandra

Dabage, Matthew Levine, Katherine Morgan, Natalie Pearson

Photography Director: Lily Fox Photography Assistant: Alejo Rodriguez Photography Team Members:

Lalo Ambris, Isabella Aragao, Abigail Blascovich, Samantha Crown, Carah Gedeon, Karina Iago, Layla Mathews, Olivia Rodriguez

Sales Director: Nichole Dere

STAFF LIST

Layout Director: Lauren Horner

Sales Team Members: Vanessa Garcia,

Rachel Newcombe, Alex Pittman, Danielle Price Social Media Director: Cristina Reyes

Social Media Team Members: Hannah Aldridge, Emma Allison, Isabella Harrison, Vallerie Kolczynski, Nikki Kramarz, Natasha March

Videography Director: Alexis Poulos Videography Team Members:

Eva Akaishi, Libby Bekins, Lexi Delgado, Kevin Farley, Joann Mauricette, Chloe Mueller, Alex Pagan, Karlee Prevatt, Colin Reilly

Writing Director: Tabitha Labrato Writing Editors:

Alyson Brinkley, Lexi Fernandez, Joey Flanagan, Cali Robins

Writing Team Members:

Gigi Berrouet, Alyssa Cuevas, Kayla Gallagher, Ian Kennedy, Noelle Knowlton, Faveanny Leyva, Rebecca McCandless, Karina McCarthy, Kylee Mukeba, Veronica Polanco, Kalijah Rahming, Roxy Rico, Ellie Rill, Mary Rufo, Kylee Seaver, Jenesis Shaw, Annamarie Simoldoni, Breanna Tang, Arielle Vabre

LEADER’S LETTER

With one semester of leading Strike Magazine under our belt, we entered into the Spring semester with a newfound sense of confidence. After opening up our applications for our Spring staff, we were astounded and excited to see all of the sheer amount of talented, passionate creatives that wanted to contribute to Strike.

This semester, we are proud to have produced 100+ diverse articles and photoshoots on our blog, with a unique graphic accompanying each piece. We have expanded our merchandise products, lead social media awareness campaigns, created a newsletter for our chapter as well as collaborated with the other chapter of Strike around the country. Thank you to our staffers who have unselfishly donated their time and energy to produce our digital posts and to the teams that have worked tirelessly to fundraise so we can continue to create quality content.

Deciding on a theme is always tricky, we spent the majority of our winter break

creating concept boards only to feel like we weren’t totally hitting the mark. Then it hit - our External Director, Sara, threw out the word “obsession.” We wanted an issue where our staff can put their distinctive perspective on it, thus capturing our individual obsessions. Thank you to our staffers who spent months planning out every detail of their shoot, the photographers, videographers, beauticians and writers for flawlessly executing these concepts and the designers for bringing our shared creative vision to life.

Both of us have been involved with Strike since the Fall of 2018; Savannah was a writer for a semester, Writing Director for a year and External Director for a semester and Emily was first a model that semester, Photoshoot Assistant for a semester, and a Photoshoot team member for two semesters. Now we enter our last semester as Editor in Chief and Creative Director, our obsession with Strike Magazine continues.

We hope you love this issue as much as us.

Editor in Chief,

Creative Director,

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Grace Castilow Brand Ambassador Director As this has been my first semester as a Director and the first we’ve had a Brand Ambassador Program in years, I am beyond thankful and proud of the initiative my team had to become more involved with the Strike brand that my team has exhibited this semester.

Amy Dantin Digital Director Thank you, Strike, for allowing me to become the leader and creator I am today. Without this publication, my experience at FSU would be colorless. Thank you to my Digital team for inspiring me with your ideas and commitment. We’ve created over 10 unique digital posts on the blog and a shoot just a few pages away!

Nichole Dere Sales Director Thank you Strike for allowing me to combine both my passion for sales and fashion into a rewarding leadership role. Thank you to my team for always having a positive attitude and staying on top of our goals despite everything else. I’m proud that my team was successful in exceeding our ad goal.

Audrey Estupinan Art Dirextor Thank you Strike for giving us a place to creatively express ourselves so freely. To my team, it has truly been a pleasure working with such talent.

A team that can do everything from creating beautiful digital content to planning & directing a shoot. I am eternally grateful for good art.

Lily Fox Photography Director I’d like to thank Strike for being a much-needed outlet. Being part of a community that fosters creativity without limitation is freeing as an artist. Leading this incredible team of photographers has been inspiring and I cannot thank them enough for the hard work they put into making this magazine truly magical.

Fatima Hamad Finance Director Being a leader on Strike, I have gotten to work alongside some of the coolest & most creative people I’ve ever met. I want to give a shoutout to my team, Victoria and Lauren, for being the most helpful queens ever! I am proud that my team and I accomplished putting together an efficient budget plan.

Lauren Horner Layout Director Strike has given me so much this year. From leading a group of amazing women to watching the rest of our staff put together an amazing magazine. We are so proud of the work we have put into creating the magazine.

Tabitha Labrato Writing Director I can’t thank Strike Magazine enough for the opportunity to lead as Writing Director and work with such talented and creative people. Thank you to my incredible writing team for their hard work and for producing a high caliber of content with more than 90 articles for the Strike blog.

Jacob Richards Events Director I really enjoy being a part of Strike, everyone on staff is so hardworking and creative. I hope everyone enjoys the release party, I am proud of my team and all the work put in to make it happen.

Sara Sanfilippo External Director I am so grateful that Strike gives me the opportunity to work with such great people to collectively produce something amazing. I want to thank my team for always being upbeat, I’m proud of the newsletter we’ve created.

Helen Trawick Beauty Director Strike, THANK YOU for the chance to grow and challenge myself as Beauty Director and for allowing me to learn from the most creative people. To my Beauty team, your consistent hard work and dedication to this team doesn’t go unnoticed. Our Beauty team attended every Strike shoot and produced our own shoot, The Duality of Sin.

Alexis Poulos Clara Trednick Videography Director Thank you to Strike for giving me Merchandise Director the space to express my visions and I am so proud of my team and their collaborate with some of the most eagerness to help build our new inspiring people. I’m so thankful merchandise department. Though for my team who have produced so it was trying at some points, all many amazing videos throughout the of the merchandise my team semester! and I designed this semester has launched, I can’t wait for it to sell Cristina Reyes out!

Social Media Director Thank you to Strike for giving me the ability to express myself and trusting me to be a leader. My team and I worked together this semester to find unique content that continuously illustrated Strike’s image of a lifestyle, beauty, and fashion brand. I couldn’t have asked for a better team, thank you all!

Brianna Winders Advertising Director Thank you to my Advertising team for sticking with us through this unconventional semester and making things work. From social media and brand awareness campaigns to starting a Tik Tok, it was super cool to test the waters. I am so proud of all we have done!

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IDOLIZATION

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HOUSE OF MIRRORS

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DARK ACADEMIA

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THE DIVINE FEMININE

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DUALITY OF SIN

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THE STATE OF OUR UNION

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INNOCENCE

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ENCHANTED

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GENRES

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HOW TO HOLD

A T

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L B

C F O E

MEDUSA

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ALIENATED

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MATERIAL GIRL INNOCENCE

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INTRODUCING THE SHITTY THRIFT

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STREET SMART

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SLOWLY DRIFTING

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OPULENT PERCEPTION 100

CONTE

BLACK SWAN 106

WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER 114

NT S

OUTRO 122

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OBSESSION

IDOL IZATION WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA CUEVAS EDITED BY: CALI ROBINS

Before me is a portrait of a woman. She is doll-like, fragile.

Constructed from oil paint and brushed on linen; delicate strokes of color intended to be displayed. Worshipped, praised, and honored for her beauty; sketched, painted, and hung in a gallery. A creation formed out of expectations set by those around her. Marked by man and sold to men. Once malleable and blank, now still and fixed. Meant to be seen and never heard; the embodiment of femininity.

I remember when I was younger, I used to love to look at paintings of beautiful women. What they wore or didn’t.

How they posed. Their facial expressions. In most of these representations, you can barely decipher if these women are sad, happy, or content.

The image before me is familiar. Is she happy? Perhaps.

Sad? Who cares. Desirable? Definitely. Smooth skin, fancy clothes, not a hair out of place. All done up. A picture worth worshipping.

She must be honored to be a muse. Idolized by artists and their groupies. Inspiring great men to be greater. Being the reason they continue to erect art. Invited to every party.

Given whatever she wants. As long as she is who they want.

An idol, a muse, her image is worth creating and recreating again.

I wonder if Edie Sedwick ever got tired of Warhol using her likeness. Did she care? Did she like being the subject of his work? I wonder which depiction of herself she liked the most. Did she like them at all? Maybe the infatuation he had to film, paint, and idolize her is what counts. But was the idol version, the muse that he clung to all those years the actual Edie?

Now as I look at the painting before me, I can’t help but wonder the same. My clothes, dresses, shoes, hair, face, shape. They worship this image of me. The representation of me. Sometimes… most times, I think that the picture of the woman staring back at me is an entirely different version of myself.

“Your dress is exquisite. I’m very fond of that color,” she says.

“Really? You don’t think it’s too much? I’m not sure.” I say.

“Nonsense.” she smiles back at me. “We’re perfect.”

Yet, behind the mirror, underneath the facade, she... I feel empty. Idols and muses like us always inspire but are never created. We are expected and confined to unattainable.

Put up on a pedestal so they can wait and watch me fall.

Disappointed and drained when the charade is up.

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DIRECTOR Hanna Peddicord CREATIVE ON SITE Mary DeLorenzo PHOTOGRAPHER Abigail Blascovich BEAUTY Alexis Poulos MODEL Anisa Shashatay WRITTEN BY Joey Flanagan EDITED BY Tabitha Labrato LAYOUT BY Julia McCarthy

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,nepo seye yM a yb ,detnorfnoC rorrim kcalb a ,enohp yM neercs llorcs I ,dekcolnU hguorht llorcs I ym no ppa yreve enohp a ot emoc I nehT

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seye y ,nep ,detnorfno rorrim a y a ,enohp y neercs kcal llorcs I ,dekcoln pa yreve hguorht llorcs enohp ym n pots a ot emoc I neh My eyes open, Confronted, by a mirror My phone, a black screen Unlocked, I scroll I flip through every app on my phone Then I come to a stop To start over again with no time lapse I arise Late But my mind is everywhere What do I eat, what do I look like?

To the bathroom, another mirror

I look like me I should not look like this, I should look like that I should not eat, I should starve I should wear makeup, but not too much I should show more skin But not here, not there Where?

No, not there Nowhere, Lies confidence Not in here, up there Between the eyes There are lies They tell me to do this, do that Suffocated, I do this, do that Suppressed, I change this, I change that

The mirrors face me I face the mirrors No escape, no inch of room I’m confronted by the lies, I once I told myself Not pretty, not thin, not this, not that Why did I do this, do that There is only one of me in this house of mirrors Pick wisely, pick me

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cademi

Dark

DIRECTOR Jonathan Santos CREATIVE ON SITE Caroline Dejtiar PHOTOGRAPHER Samantha Crown BEAUTY Abby Wright MODELS Beza Alford, Dante Barreto, Jennifer Ogrady, Mia Permuy LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner

Acad

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Da demia Rejecting Reality rk D Academ Written By: Breanna Tang Edited By: Joey Flanagan

What was introduced as a film and literary genre in 1992 after the publication of The Secret History by Donna Tarrt has now evolved into an aesthetic surrounded by literature, the pursuit of self-discovery and a passion for knowledge.

Dark Academia has made itself known as a genre and has recently grabbed the attention of the younger generation. The aesthetic encapsulates eurocentric themes involving poetry, classical literature, liberal arts studies, gothic architecture and more. If you’re still having trouble imagining the world of Dark Academia, a great example of media that epitomizes the genre is the 1989 film, Dead Poets Society directed by Peter Weir.

After submerging oneself into a fantasy of elitism, literature and mystery, a person is bound to devise alternative scenarios involving the characters within the plot. By adding their own flare of imagination to the story, fanfiction is written by a fan of an already existing book, television series, or film.

Scrolling through sites like Wattpad, Tumblr, or Archive of Our Own can cause people to overindulge themselves into fanfiction to the point where they place their minds into the lives of the characters. The obsession over a fictitious life or fanfiction can lead to what is called, maladaptive daydreaming. Maladaptive

daydreaming is the most intense and intrusive form of daydreaming that dissociates people from their daily tasks and quality of life. It is caused by an external stimulus such as fanfiction and used as a coping strategy to escape reality. The condition can be hard to escape and can manifest into insomnia or symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to MedicalNewsToday.

Dark Academia and the obsession with fanfiction have become most popular to the youth and if abused, can trigger an unhealthy relationship with mental illness and detachment from reality. It can be difficult to escape maladaptive daydreaming and can last hours on end, potentially distracting the youth from knowledge processing and dissociate them from making any real connections with others This form of escapism can be beneficial for those struggling to get through their day or a boring task. However, creating an entirely false reality based off of fictional characters can promote habits that may eventually destroy one’s real-life in the long run. After dissecting Dark Academia and the overconsumption of fanfiction, there is still so much beauty and inspiration that Dark Academia can expose; just be cautious of the harmful aspects.

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a D Dar 22

rling arling

Sketch Me Like One of Your English Girls Written By: Mary Rufo Edited By: Lexi Fernandez

I regret to inform whoever reads this, but I am no Rose DeWitt Bukater, and my Jack Dawson wasn’t quite as dashing. Our story didn’t have a romantic climax or a morbid ending, but you could call it tragic.

We first encountered each other at a private high school west of London. Dark chocolate-covered wooden bookcases painted the walls of our library better than any William Morris wallpaper could. They stood like giants as if they were caving in on you. The mahogany hues copied over to the solid wood tables that were anything but perfect. It was as though Lizzie Borden took her infamous ax onto a new target.

As I walked into the library one day, I took the long way to my usual quiet study space. Through the bookcases, I walked. Quiet on the outside, talkative on the inside.

As per usual, my itchy tartan socks required as much scratching like a dog with fleas. I squatted down on my knees to tend to my lidocaine-less skin to come inches apart from a pair of round glasses. A gawky grown boy contorted his body to fit into the confines of a sole shelf of the bookshelf. As he clutched to a leather-bound book, he apologized with a peculiar tone — partly inquisitive, partly aloof. I lent my hand to him to pry him out of his tight quarters, but he refused.

“No, that’s okay. I observe and admire from a distance,”

he said with a tight lip smile lacking the presence of eye contact as if he said something wrong. Nevertheless, I persisted and insisted.

“Come sit at a desk near me! That can’t be a comfortable position to sit in for long.” As I was speaking, a librarian passed by, and so did her subtle judgment of me talking to a bookshelf. As the gears cranked in his mind, I pulled his arm to glide him out of the shelf and onto the library carpet.

Still avoiding eye contact with me, he plops into a chair across from mine. I asked what his name was. Nothing.

He said nothing. I repeated myself more than once. Radio silence invaded the tone. I reached across the desk to clutch his notebook that I assumed would have his name within. He tugged back as if secret launch codes were stashed in the notebook. It caused a slew of pages to be torn from its binding. He tried to cover them, but I got a prime view of illustrations of a girl. Illustrations of me.

Probably over a hundred sketches of me. Flustered, he bolted with as many papers as he could corral in a split second. I managed to swoosh a sheet of paper toward myself. At least I knew his name was Harry. Though I must say, learning his name was just the tip of this iceberg.

Tune in next week to read part two of this fan fiction at strikemagazines.com.

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DIRECTORS Caroline Dejtiar PHOTOGRAPHER Lily Fox BEAUTY Cameron Fricke MODEL Jonathan Santos WRITTEN BY Annamarie Simoldoni EDITED BY Alyson Brinkley LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner

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Fashion has always been recognized as a form of expression. It is an artistic outlet that has simultaneously created and embodied declarations of status, culture, and self.

While fashion’s purpose has remained consistent, styles and trends have changed and developed over time to more accurately portray modern attitudes toward each of these categories of identity. These developments seemingly illuminate societal shifts in our understanding of acceptable human behavior. Investigating the concept of fashion as a form of expression allows various trends to become a time capsule through which we can better understand how society has changed and evolved.

Clothing has traditionally been used as a means of expressing social status and wealth due to the inaccessibility of certain materials. The elegance and opulence associated with fashion are clearly displayed through Renaissance style, as both men and women adorned themselves with garments made of satin and velvet in order to express high social standing. Similarly, the formation of fashion trends began to take a rather hierarchical form as those of lower social standing would gain inspiration from those above them when finding influence for their clothing. Fashion became a luxury, a form of unattainable grandeur. Victorian Dandies serve as a direct embodiment of this mode of expression. The status and inner sense of superiority stereotypically associated with this aesthetic, created a sense of performative decadence that was simply unattainable to the lower class. It is precisely this unattainability that perpetuates the obsessive attraction to the luxury of fashion.

In much the same way, modern trends still follow a sort of hierarchical format as celebrities typically serve as inspiration for various fashion movements. Fashion is an expression of not only status but culture. This notion is furthered through social media as it serves as a window through which trends can be accessed and implemented on a larger scale. One particularly salient example of this phenomenon is the proliferation of eboy culture starting in 2019. The social media platform, TikTok, allowed for the popularization of punk reminiscent feminine masculinity, that focused on the incorporation of opulent accessories in order to convey an aesthetic. In this sense, eboys hold a similar place in culture to the Victorian Dandy as they employ a specific style of dress to convey their status and niche within the platform.

The examination of not only what trends are but who started them helps to paint a picture of what society values or

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deems acceptable during a certain time period. The evolution of these standards can be observed through the increasing nonchalance of luxury fashion. While lavish decadency was once viewed as an expression of status, modern fashion tends to air on the side of effortless luxury. In this sense the notion of being naturally put together is the new version of the unattainable ideal. While it is evident that fashion trends are a form of cultural expression, based on a societal obsession with status and the establishment of a superficial hierarchy, clothing can also be used as a form of self-expression. With the development of trends comes the development of stereotypes among those who identify with them. In this way, by choosing to adopt a particular style or a small piece of a much larger cultural expression, an individual can use clothing to develop a sense of self. This allows the reach of fashion to provide insight into both aspects of general cultural consciousness and the more individualistic experiences of those who employ fashion as a mechanism of self-expression.

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Duality of Sin

We are told that to live is to sin. Such a bold statement requires careful analysis or, at the very least, the pondering of its origin. Our offenses are defined by religious and moral laws, inherited from tradition, shifting with the times. Those who aren’t religious may be unaware of the warning expressed through the seven deadly sins. Written with a tone of impending doom, the seven deadly sins were fabricated to prepare humans for the day of judgment. Fundamentally, they serve to protect the spirit of humanity and prevent a soul from falling into the abyss. In light of a new era, where free will and individuality are esteemed above all, the need for religion has slowly dwindled. After all, religion and the judgment day were contrived out of curious and creative minds craving answers to their existence. But it makes one wonder, are the seven deadly sins still serving mankind?

All who have walked this earth have wondered about life hereafter and out of such contemplation rises a truth: we are linked by our humanity. By committing the deadly sins, we become disconnected from humanity, the core of our existence. In truth, the seven deadly sins are not a religious doctrine that mandates how people should live. They are an attempt to live in harmony with ourselves and those around us. Although modern technology strives to enhance connectivity throughout society, it often distances people from one another. Now, more than ever, we must be mindful of the deadly sins, religious or not.

Traditions deserve respect and when it comes to intellectual ideals that influence the behavior of the masses, it would be wise to reflect on the values that dictate our lives. Our humanity connects us to the vastness of the universe and the individuals around us. Why would you sacrifice that, to give into the temptation of sin?

Pride, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, and Greed hold power and influence over people as they can strip away the humanity that gives us life. Committing these acts leaves a person to wilt and exist among the living, dead.

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Breathe in. Breathe out. Once the itch begins in the back of your mind, it is difficult to ignore the scratching. Then again, sin is merely a temptation that is too good to refuse. You become obsessed, entranced, and enraptured until it’s the only thing on your mind.

These temptations can manifest in various forms.

Through the craving to catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and linger to admire your physique. To allow your anger to intensify until cruel words spew from your tongue. Your taste buds could crave the saccharine rush of sugar. Your skin might ache for the brush of soft lace or the cool dig of metal cuffs and leather straps. The need to fill your lungs with smoke.

The desire for materialistic things, or a gnawing fixation for another who has the thing you desire most.

Pride. Wrath. Gluttony. Lust. Sloth. Greed. Envy.

Humans search for fulfillment in the most trivial things; sin rules the world and it appears it might be time to join the fun rather than battle over morals.

Humans were created flawed, and according to religion, we have time to be perfect later. Succumb to your cravings now and yield to the aching temptation of sin, while you still have the chance. The bliss may be temporary, but the rewards you reap are oh so worth it. Give in and feel the release.

Our culture is obsessed with sin. Take a closer look at every television show, movie, book, song, or social media platform. How are we supposed to fit into society if we don’t participate in the world that we grew up in? Have we truly lived our lives if we have not had the chance to experiment with endless possibilities of sin?

Fulfill your deepest desires. Give in to the temptation.

Buy the items you crave, curse those you are jealous of.

Be narcissistic, a little confidence never hurts anyone.

Feel vengeful toward people who have wronged you, we both know they deserve it. Take the bite of pure sugar and do not stop to savor each bite. Savor the touch of a stranger’s bare skin against your own.

Give in to absolute mouth-watering pleasure, and the itch will cure itself. Breathe in, breathe out.

DIRECTOR Helen Trawick PHOTOGRAPHER Lily Fox BEAUTY AS IT APPEARS Helen Trawick, Carson Schultz, Abby Wright, Rebecca Short, Cara Longstreth, Katie Russell, Cameron Fricke MODELS Gillian Bennett, Claire Lally, Maria De Jesus, Chloe Bonteax, Giselle Jones, Sabrina Brooks, Eva Akaishi FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, WRITTEN BY Karina McCarthy & Rebecca McCandless EDITED BY Lexi Fernandez & Cali Robins LAYOUT BY Molly Custis

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Gluttony

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Wrat

Sloth

THE STATE OF OUR UNION WRITTEN BY: LEXI FERNANDEZ EDITED BY: TABITHA LABRATO

Bridging the gap of America’s political divide is an increasingly difficult task, for the very foundation on which we built “America the Beautiful” is crumbling to pieces. Historically, our country’s fixation upon the polarization between parties is deep-rooted in mistrust and fundamental differences. However, the present reality of our nation is proof that times have changed. Gone are the days of blurred lines between reds and blues. This time, the line has been drawn in the sand, and the divide is as clear as day. It appears that America’s political crisis will leave nobody unscathed. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

It is expected of the leaders of our free nation to fight for our shared values; however, it feels as though the American Dream has been lost in a fierce storm of obsession and self-destructive behavior. Those who are meant to guide and protect the public seem to have forgotten the part where we are “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Instead, they avoid accountability, struggle to be truthful, and point the accusatory finger at the opposing party.

American politicians often spend too much time focused on what the person to their left and their right are doing and not enough time on the betterment of our country. Our country is in a seemingly neverending race for change, and in order to cross the finish line, our leaders must hear the voices of our citizens and fight for progress. All other concerns are secondary.

We are fast becoming a nation plagued by racism, economic inequality, violence, and an overall lack of justice. E Pluribus Unum is a forgotten motto, for our separation has never been clearer. The modern American experience deteriorated trust and amplified our feelings of estrangement and contempt. The political rift grew wider as rampant misinformation and the spread of conspiracy theories fueled the already burning fire. Previously, destructive conspiracies surrounding the September 11th attacks, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the moon landing created widespread distrust in our nation’s leaders. The spread of falsified information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is the modern-day

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equivalent.

The separation of church and state is an essential distinction regarding the distance between politics and religious affiliation; however, the two have more in common than one might assume. Naturally, we choose to associate ourselves with groups that share our system of beliefs. While religion is a prominent form of self-identification, modern society considers political affiliation to be of equal importance.

Supporters often glorify politicians, for we worship such figures for amplifying our core values while rejecting the ideologies of opponents. Consequently, our devotion to our chosen candidates leads to the mistreatment of those with differing opinions even though policies are intended to guide, not blind us as we make decisions. When we view our political opponents as enemies, the divide grows larger.

We must restore faith in ourselves and each other, ensuring that we guide one another down a favorable path.

To heal the wounds of America’s political divisions, we must aim to be better. More often than not, we desire similar outcomes, but we have different approaches to reaching them. The only way for us to rebuild trust in both one another and the governing body is to push back against the conventional gridlock and work together to build a more perfect union.Educating ourselves on both our history and current events is the best way for America to bridge the divide, to rebuild bonds that were broken. To have a difference in opinion is acceptable, but when differentiation leads to the marginalization of others, it is not. Hold political figures accountable.

Remember that the values of a candidate are meant to guide you, not the party. Be mindful of misleading information and know how to appropriately address it. End the glorification of politicians and be willing to listen to the opinions of others. Together, we can make progress in rebuilding our country’s foundation.

It is both our responsibility and the duty of the politicians we elect into office to emphasize equality and truly make America the land of the free.

innocence

DIRECTORS Colby Milchin & Reese Hafner PHOTOGRAPHER Lily Fox BEAUTY Rebecca Short MODEL Dennise Marek WRITTEN BY Kylee Mukeba EDITED BY Joey Flanagan LAYOUT BY Julia McCarthy We can always remember the days before the chaos of the world got to us; the days when we were innocent. Nostalgia is such a bittersweet feeling for this reason. It allows us to reminisce on contented times while simultaneously reminding us how that time is long past our reach. Now we yearn to return to this peaceful time. When we saw the world in vivid colors and were eager to explore every inch and detail within our peripheral. Most of us were not concerned with what others thought because we were happily and authenti-

cally ourselves. We lived carefree, the darkness of the world did not reveal itself to us. The innocence came from a lack of realization and experience. Everything was perfect and it was a feeling like no other.

But we all get older. This is how we notice our perfect world has cracks in it. Once the harsh realities of our world creep in, the innocence fades. Let us escape reality and return to a time where everything felt light and airy, let us enjoy the sancutary.

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DIRECTOR & BEAUTYAlexis Poulos VIDEOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE Vanesa Perez, Joann Mauricette, Colin Reilly, Gaffer Amber White, Kevin Farley MODEL Gena Heylock WRITTEN BY Alyson Brinkley EDITED BY Tabitha Labrato SCAN THIS CODE TO VIEW LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner, Molly Custis, ENCHANTED A Taylor Moreno, Julia McCarthy, Taylor Kirby VIDEOGRAPHY CONCEPT 48

Caught up in the possibility of our future selves, where we’ll be next, and who will enter our lives next, the spark of spirituality has been lost. There is a common misconception that manifestation involves the mundane act of writing down your desires, and the universe granting what you have journaled in return. However, your manifestation is only effective past shallow and potentially selfish goals that are blocking you from finding what you may really lack.

Social media is filled with memes of summoning circles and ways to get an old flame to text you first.

This image of manifestation has completely watered down the power of spirituality and has encouraged hopeless romantics to manifest goals the universe may not want them to achieve in the first place.

It comes from

genuine belief and self-confidence in our own capabilities; to manifest is to already believe we are what we want. The foundation lies on the belief that we attract what we put out. So, if you manifest out of insecurity, you will receive insecurity and a lack of abundance in return.

As alluring as the simplicity seems, manifestation requires personal efforts and time. It is a conscious endeavor to achieve our dream lives. Believe it or not, the magic of manifestation lies in being in sync with yourself. Authentic manifestation may look like manifesting for success rather than money. By manifesting success, we are verifying our belief that we can achieve our goals as already successful

people. On the contrary, manifesting in hope for money to fall into our lap comes from a place of thinking we cannot achieve it through the means of our own efforts.

Your dreams don’t fall into your lap. The purity of intention is the key to putting manifestations in motion. A soulmate doesn’t come from writing down your simple desire to have one with the muddled intention of seeking validation or feeling overcome with loneliness. It comes from the sincere, unfiltered idea that we are worthy and deserving on our own. If you are looking for an outcome, thoughts must be partnered with concrete action. The answers to the future often lie in your present. Taking time to reflect on what life already hands you and finding the magic in your current situation, will be what raises your vibration to accept and achieve what your most genuine self is in need of. We must surrender to the now in order to figure out what our future purpose will be.

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GENRES Obsessions with Romantic Comedies Written By: Kylee Seaver Edited By: Lexi Fernandez

We all know how a romantic comedy will end before it even begins. The same old story following two protagonists who don’t realize a quest for love drives their entire life. The two find each other and begin to develop undeniable feelings. Of course, every great narrative requires conflict, so our protagonists face signs of incompatibility and end the relationship. The break doesn’t last long, and they declare their love for one another, usually in a busy airport. We have seen this story play out repeatedly, desperately waiting for the day when it happens to us. How can we draw a line between reality and what we see in the movies?

At a young age, we’re taught that true love can conquer all, and there’s always a happy ending waiting for us. We’re constantly craving the relationships seen in romantic comedies, developing an obsession over the idea of finding “the one” who will stop at nothing to be with us. Romantic comedies set unrealistic expectations regarding the way love should be. It is difficult for us to live up to the romantic comedy status quo, which leaves us fighting an uphill battle for happiness in our relationships. How can we truly be satisfied if we’ve been chasing a false reality our whole lives?

Watching romantic comedies makes us naive. We long for grand gestures like when Lloyd held his boombox over his head to show Diane how much he loves her. Unfortunately, in our search for our very own iconic boombox scene, we often overlook the red flags staring us directly in the face. As long as you send me flowers or dance with me in the

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rain, I’ll forgive you for anything. We’re convinced to invest in a relationship rather than investing in ourselves first.

We get trapped by the illusion that we can’t fully be happy until we are madly in love.

This deep desire for unrealistic love can drive us insane. Dare I say, it makes us lovesick. Love is never meant to be like the cookie-cutter fairy tales we see in the movies; it is about acceptance, compromise, and understanding. We can be obsessed with love, but it should be the real deal, not some made-up storyline that’s just too good to be true.

Are You Scared of the Dark?

Written By: Kayla Gallagher Edited By: Cali Robins

You sit down and open Netflix.

Scrolling through page by page for a show or movie to watch. Your eyes can’t help but gravitate towards the crime section. You have seen dozens of crime documentaries and shows, but no matter how many you watch each scares you.

They turn your stomach when the details of gruesome murders are revealed. You can’t even go to sleep at night without locking your bedroom door, but you still continue to view them over and over again.

There is just something mesmerizing about the things that terrify us. Whether it is a horror movie, a documentary about a serial killer, or a look inside the dark minds of others, these kinds of programs create an experience for the viewer that is almost addicting. The fascination with crime and serial killers is something that seems to be pretty addictive. The stories of people like Ted Bundy and the Night Stalker a.k.a Richard Ramirez have created an entire industry in TV and film for people to be infatuated with.

But why are people so interested in the things that scare them? In 2016, psychiatrist Dr. Sharon Packer told Decider Magazine that “People get relief from knowing that they are not the ones that lost control of their impulses.

And I think that’s a tremendous appeal.”

Maybe that is where the interest comes

from: the idea that we are glad we aren’t the ones who have lost control, but it seems a little bit deeper than that.

Shows like Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Making a Murder, Mindhunter, and Conversations with a Killer: the Ted Bundy Tapes are all examples of films and TV shows that have crimes buffs on the edge of their seats. We spend hours on the couch or in bed watching these shows or movies even though they might make us sick to our stomachs. People’s interest in these stories has to be more than just the idea that someone else did it. It is like the idea of seeing a really bad car accident, but you just can’t look away.

Even though something scares us, we still find ourselves watching it deep into the night curious to see what will happen next.

You can’t peel your eyes away from the dark and twisted things happening on the screen, but your body still reacts in fear. You cover your eyes at every jump scare. You make sure there is at least one source of light in the room. You rip the shower curtain back every time you enter the bathroom, but you still keep on watching.

There are plenty of fiction horror films and crime shows that have tons of popularity, but it is the stories of those that are non-fiction that truly take the prize here. Serial killers like Edmund Kemper, Aileen Wuornos, and the Zodiac Killer have continued to capture the attention of people even years after their dreadful actions occurred. No matter how gruesome or terrifying the murder, it seems as though there are still TV shows, documentaries, and even movies to document it. The nail-biting terror left in the pit of your stomach when you know some of these things actually happened will never go away, but you still press play.

A Fantasy Escape

Written By: Arielle Vabre Edited By: Lexi Fernandez

Lavish lifestyles, outrageous arguments, and never-ending drama are a few elements that make up reality television.

Week after week, millions of people tune into their favorite reality shows to keep up with complete strangers – bringing us entertainment, giving us conversation starters, and leaving us wondering what will happen next. Granted, these shows are highly produced, edited, and sometimes even scripted to create a narrative for people to follow, but when we think about it below the surface, we are following the personal lives of real people (– well as real as they can get).

As a society, there’s a deeper obsession that comes from reality television; We feel connected to these personalities as if we know them in real life. For years, psychologists have been studying the obsession with reality television and their answer leads to a form of escapism.

Humans often feel less connected throughout the week due to our busy schedules, so we find a connection from the personalities or contestants within these reality shows.

The Bachelor is a true testament to society’s obsession with reality television and the personal lives of strangers. Centered around a single bachelor and a pool of romantic interests, The Bachelor goes through a weekly process of elimination which eventually culminates into a marriage proposal by the conclusion of the series. The process of finding “the one” is put on display for millions to see and although it appears to be very scripted at points, viewers are hooked. The obsession comes from the ideals of love and pain – the hope of one day finding a love such as the one that’s displayed on television, but also the heartbreak that comes from the elimination process. It creates a form of excitement, sort of like a guessing game, on who is going to make it to the end.

The Bachelor is highly manipulated throughout the show, creating moments where viewers are able to fall in love with personalities on display enough to stay tuned to make sure they will be there the following week. Reality television and The Bachelor create a fantasy that we, as humans, would all like to one day be a part of – the fantasy of finding true love.

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How to Hold

DIRECTORS Audrey Estupian, Sophia Villiers-Furze & Giana Carew PHOTOGRAPHER Karina Largo BEAUTY Katie Russell MODELS Michael Mancari, Brooke Sanchez WRITTEN BY Cali Robins EDITED BY Tabitha Labrato LAYOUT BY Audrey Estupian, Sophia Villiers, Giana Carew & Valerie Esquivel

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I’ve always been fascinated by hands. The way we each have our own separate and unique fingerprints, freckles, wrinkles and scars. It’s not only their physical attributes that draw my attention though, we also use them to express ourselves, to create art and even to adapt so we can construct entire languages just from the movement of our fingers. I can’t help but to sit and stare at the way that people talk with them, waving around with so much energy, so much life.

We hold the very essence of life in our hands, and we find so much joy in our ability to simply touch one another.

I’ve watched hands, watched them flutter and roll with effortless ideas. For as much as I have watched; I’ve yet to truly understand what it’s like to be held by them.

When I was younger, my grandmother used to hold my hands, run her fingers over my knuckles and pinch my fingertip between her thumbs. It was comforting;

it used to lull me to sleep better than any lullaby. I got older, though and with age, I got stubborn about a lot of ways that my family used to show me their love. We’ve always been that family, you know, the one that loves to hug and give kisses on the cheek. I wish I hadn’t ignored how good it felt to be held like that.

I’m hungry for it now, starved even.

I can tell when my skin tingles for hours after just brushing hands with friends, or when I lay in bed and hold my hands against my cheeks. I just breathe, lay down and breathe in the feeling of being held. I feel greedy for any touch thrown my way, but at the same time, an unspoken piece of me can’t ask for it. There’s something there, something

I can’t say to myself, but I’m obsessed with the little touches that friends of mine share. When they ask me to sit with them on the couch and put their legs over my lap. Or those times I sit on the floor and their fingers sneak through my hair, like whispers of a memory that feels so long ago. I know, for a moment, that I am loved.

Our hands have always been able to wordlessly convey a message of love and joy, sometimes sorrow, but they always dance through the air without any knowledge of the power they have over me.

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Today, our journey begins to find a monster. Sunshine pierces through the foliage in beams and warms my skin to the point of perspiration. With every step, I can feel the adrenaline flowing through my veins in anticipation of the potential events to follow.

It is said she is a woman which men cannot look at, but if that is the case, she mustn’t truly be a woman. I ask myself how this can be, how can she be a woman if men cannot confirm her femininity. If a man cannot see the curve of her hips, then it must not be there. If men have not seen her chest fill and empty with air, then who is to say her breasts are not those of a man. It is simply unfathomable that a woman exists and does not desire the gaze of men.

If this is the case, if this is true, then it must mean she is a wretched woman. What else could be the responsibility of women than to please men? The legend says her luscious locks were replaced with serpents and a simple glance can turn a man to stone. Ungrateful. Cruel. Malicious. That is what she must be. It pains me to believe that one so bitter exists. Comprising her beauty for the sole purpose of spiting men. I find it increasingly difficult to shake this thought. I wonder what she must look like. I wish to see the gleam of her eyes and the glistening of her skin when the sun glows and reflects off the edge of her shoulder. The nook of her neck must smell sweet like crisp red apples and deep like mahogany.

DIRECTOR Mary DeLorenzo CREATIVE ON SITE Hanna Peddicord PHOTOGRAPHER Carah Gedeon BEAUTY Rebecca Short MODEL Shannon Oreo WRITTEN BY Faveanny Leyva EDITED BY Joey Flanagan LAYOUT BY Molly Custis

My brain lingers on the thought of grasping her toned golden flesh within my fists. Her intensity and will quiver within the grasps of my robust raw strength. This would make her a woman.

I believe those who have failed before me were simply not man enough to make her a woman. I am different from them, better. I will feel her, and I will see her and thus make her a woman. I will strip her of all that is filthy and corrupt within her. In order to take my well-deserved look into her striking eyes, I will do away with any and all independence, ambition, and desire and all that will remain is crisp, clean, pure femininity. Most importantly though...I will kill her.

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ALIEN

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NATED

DIRECTOR Savannah Tindall & Emily Russell PHOTOGRAPHER Lily Fox BEAUTY Cara Longstreth MODEL Dominique Hughes WRITTEN BY Tabitha Labrato EDITED BY Savannah Tindall LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner

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A N EN ALIE D E D T E T IENA N L E I A D D AL E T E A T N A E D I E L D T A E A T N A N E I A L A D D E T A A N D E I E L T A N D E I E L T A A N E I I L L A TEDA T 76

D ED T A N ED D E D NAT E D I E L A ENAT I L A D ATED N E I D E T

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The year is 3020.

As I pick up the picture book that one of the grandchildren carelessly discarded on the floor, I glance over the illuminated cover. An image of a lustrous, opalescent planet is etched on the children’s book with a large bolded title: ALIENATED. Intrigued, I flip through the pages, trying to get a feel for what this book depicts, but this otherworldly novel is too farfetched to seem remotely realistic.

Images of “aliens” are displayed on the pages, showing detailed illustrations of creatures that eerily resemble humans as we know them. However, their faces are just eyes; no mouth or nose is present; each has a patterned rectangle where their facial features should be. Some are pink, some are cheetah-printed, and some sparkle; but, the vast majority of these aliens have a similar light-blue rectangle that inhabits their face.

However, the aliens did not always live like this. They used to have faces, some even wearing silver clothing that glistens off of the page. Pink sparkles had worked their way up the aliens’ arms, perhaps showing a freedom or happiness within them. Like a horse who has escaped its stable; they are the symbol of courage and freedom.

I now pity these aliens and their lack of individuality. Their one form of expression is through the utilization of colored rectangles. They all dress the same: similar to that of modern day sweatpants and a plus-sized sweatshirt. I think to myself how I would never be able to wear that everyday; I have places to go!

This foreign world is unrecognizable. There are very few similarities between this planet and my own. For one, this society is completely reliant on technology. In fact, they are not even allowed to see each other. Instead, they must stay in their homes, staring at the same screen everyday for everything in their lives. Their job is on The Screen. Their teachers talk to them on The Screen. Their families talk to them through The Screen. At night, they “relax” by watching a video on The Screen. Sometimes they even order food through The Screen!

Beyond that, these strange creatures live the same way everyday. Wake up. Stare at The Screen. Eat occasionally.

Then sleep. Over and over again, they repeat this routine to no end; an everlasting loop of nothingness.

The worst part of the aliens’ lives is the actual “alienation” that they feel on their planet; they are so alone. A screen can’t replace a person. An audio clip can’t replace the sound of a loved one’s voice. The filtered air and fake lighting can’t replace the feeling of fresh air in lungs or sun on skin. This odd behavior is so clearly detrimental to the mental health of anyone, even if they aren’t human.

I stop to imagine what life would be like if I lived on this unfathomable planet.

No hugs. No concerts. No handshakes. No interpersonalconnections. No kissing. No family reunions. No physical relationships. Instead, they have strained eyes. Lack of exercise. A longing for people. A feeling of discontent with their lives. They are creatures of habit, to the greatest degree; a prisoner of The Screen.

This could never be real; the world I know is too far from that reality.

I slam the book shut and sigh, pulling myself out of the daydream that had occurred due to my curiosity.

“Grandma! Come here for a second!”

As the room fills with the joyful sounds of my eldest grandchild summoning me from the other room, I savor every tone. I meet him in the neighboring room, greeting him with an embrace. I pull him close to me, so close that he squirms in my arms. I love his face. His smell. His sounds.

“Dude, what’s wrong with you? You’re squeezing the life out of me!” he exclaims.

As I release my beautiful grandson, I smile from ear to ear at the privilege that I have to see and feel him, unfiltered by a colorful rectangle or a screen. With a final glance, I toss Alienated in the garbage. No child should imagine an implausible life like that.

I move across the room and plop myself on the couch, listening to the kids play behind me. As my daughter opens the front door to announce her arrival home from work, I am content.

That could never be my planet. THIS is reality.

D E T A N IE T

DIRECTORS Colby Milchin & Reese Hafner PHOTOGRAPHER Abigail Blascovich BEAUTY Carson Schultz MODEL Kendall Singer WRITTEN BY Noelle Knowlton EDITED BY Alyson Brinkley LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner

M AT ER I AL G IR L

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“Cause we’re living in a material world

And I am a material girl”

“Cause the boy with the cold hard cash

Is always Mister Right”

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Amid the dreary monotony of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have plenty to wear and nowhere to go. I find myself overwhelmed with melancholic desolation in my single room, soothed by the hypnotic allure of my stimulating Instagram feed. My inner “Material Girl” emerges — I compulsively scroll through the latest spring releases of Urban Outfitters and become woefully seduced by their Shein knockoffs. My closet is lined to the brim in last season’s woven knit sweaters and embroidered peasant tops. I should be content with what I have.

Yet I still click “Add to Cart,” hoping to feel something, yearning to fill the inexorable void by feigning material fulfillment.

By drowning out feelings of somber emptiness, I’m still taking on the current of social conformity, struggling to breathe free and break through surface level self-satisfaction.

I am varnished in tattered rayon and masked by a plastic, ingenuous grin, enshrined by the impenetrable numbness of cheap thrills. Burying down feelings of inadequacy, I am detached from reality while still tethered to the image of my fashion-forward, pre-COVID self, more isolated than ever.

While struggling to stay adrift through the wave of fast fashion, this culture of unprecedented mass production renders ourselves subservient mechanisms of an unrelenting

capitalist machine. As we were forced to transform into insatiable, ravenous consumers of the season’s latest couture, children and adults alike were forced into exploitative labor conditions to cater to our frivolous spending habits.

The Clean Clothes Campaign revealed that 93% of brands don’t pay a living wage to their suppliers, and the desperation of sweatshop workers is only exacerbated by the pandemic.

As one of the greatest suppliers of offshore garment workers, second only to China, Bangladesh suffered the loss of $2.8 billion in cancelled orders, where 4.1 million Bangladeshis rely on the fast fashion industry to support themselves. The Worker Rights Consortium found that almost 80% of workers in nine countries face starvation today, while brands fail to pay their supplier companies the $22 billion owed to them.

The relentless drive for profit fueled by the competitive, market-based economic coordination in the United States is detrimental to underpaid, destitute garment workers in China, Bangladesh, and India, where the affluence of the privileged bourgeois class is at their expense.

The salience of American consumerism directly influences the wellbeing of those laboring over our orders a continent away, while irrevocably degrading ecosystems here and abroad. The garment industry’s dependency on fossil fuels perpetuates climate change, while the resources that fuel fast-

fashion are excessively depleted and consumed.

The Princeton Student Climate Initiative reports that the fashion industry consumes onetenth of the collective, industrial water supply, and the World Bank claims the industry also releases one-tenth of the world’s annual carbon emissions. This produces 62 million metric tons of apparel that are consumed globally. Old clothing is burned and discarded in landfills to make way for the new, resulting in an excess of both frivolous consumption and environmental pollution.

While we fade in and out of ephemeral fashion trends, our superficial enamorations cause serious implications. As a selfproclaimed Material Girl, we must become educated consumers in this material world and acknowledge our own complicity in perpetuating the issue. Simultaneously, we must actively seek out local, sustainable, second-hand alternatives in recognition of our role within the fast-fashion industry.

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INTRODUCING: THE SHITTY THRIFT WRITTEN BY: GiGi Berrouet EDITED BY: Joey Flanagan

In an age of fashion, where sustainability is a priority, thrifting has become more popular than ever. For some, thrifting is a leisure activity that’s used as a means for acquiring new pieces for their own closets. For others like Sofia Lopez de Mesa, thrifting is a sport that they’ve managed to turn into a full time business, taking advantage of consumer’s demands for trendy, vintage pieces. Ever since Lopez was a little girl, thrifting was a part of her life. When recalling her initial experience with thrifting, Lopez talks about her journey of transitioning from traditional thrifting to online thrifting saying, “My mom would drag me to thrift stores. I don’t remember my life prior to thrifting.”

While Lopez was exposed to thrifting early on in life, like many others, she struggled with finding the patience that the activity can require. “As I grew older and maybe lost a little bit of patience, I began to think that thrift stores were annoying and took way too many hours to source

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through. So it’s safe to say, I had a fall out with thrift stores in high school.” Still, Lopez was dissatisfied with the clothing pieces she would find in traditional stores and felt inclined to find a way to stand out. A few years ago, Lopez decided to try exploring online thrifting mediums such as Etsy, regaining an interest for the hobby during her awakened curiosity.

After falling back in love with thrifting, Lopez discovered that the uniqueness and sustainability that comes with wearing thrifted clothing, kept her going back to stores. Lopez began thrifting for others after noticing she had accumulated a mass amount of clothing through her thrifting habits. In order to fulfill both her addiction to thrifting and her passion for helping people achieve an aesthetic, she started shopping for friends. Eventually, Lopez turned her hobby into an online business.

Since opening her instagram boutique named, @theshittythrift, Lopez takes regular trips to the thrift store around 2-3

times a week, usually heading straight for the pants section. Her favorite stores include classics like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, but her secret to finding good pieces is venturing out to places like West Palm Beach. “I often commute to West Palm Beach because that’s where all the old rich people live who want to get rid of all their designers. Every single time I get the chance to commute to West Palm, I leave with a handful of designer pieces,” says Lopez. It seems that Lopez’s method pays off because her most valued thrifted item, a limited edition Balenciaga cow fur bag, was thrifted for $120, compared to its $2,500 retail price.

When asked if she thinks thrifting is an obsession, Lopez replied with an astounding yes, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My mom is a shopping addict. Therefore, so am I. So yes, thrifting is a massive obsession of mine.

I can never go without keeping some pieces to myself.”

street smart

DIRECTORS Cate Adams CREATIVE ON SITE Jade Sievers PHOTOGRAPHER Layla Mathews BEAUTY Abby Wright MODEL Anna Dejonge LAYOUT BY Taylor Moreno

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S Str St Stri Str Strik Str Str Strike St Strike S

Strike Strike S rike Strike Str trike Strike Str ike Strike Strik rike Strike Stri ke Strike Strik rike Strike Str rike Strike Str e Strike Strike trike Strike St Strike Strike

DIRECTOR Elise Anderson CREATIVE ONSITE Amy Dantin & Diane Fish PHOTOGRAPHER Karina Largo BEAUTY Carson Schultz MODELS Nia Alexander & Aidan Whitman Baker WRITTEN BY Tabitha Labrato EDITED BY Savannah Tindall LAYOUT BY: Lauren Horner

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The tender embrace of a feeling once longed for.

But what is once if not all the time?

Hunting down the enchantment of feeling your devotion.

But what is devotion if not towards me?

Suffocating love, a dream turned sour.

A hope transformed into a damned obsession.

But what is a dream once I have awoken?

I yearn for you, for you’re the bridge that will take me there.

The mode of transportation that allows me to fill my heart-shaped void.

But what is a void if not an opportunity to fill it?

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The thought of you engulfs me, like waves on the sand.

But what is a thought if not wishful thinking?

What was once a fairytale’s wish is now threaded with villains; each unraveling my school-girl daydreams.

But what is a daydream if not a manifestation of my future’s past?

You are not love. Love is but a feeling.

I need you in order to feel it for myself.

But what is a red flag if my eyes choose not to see it?

You wrap around me. I see nothing but you. Red, all red; my vision is skewed.

But what is anger if not passionate love?

Look at me. Touch me. Make me complete again. Perhaps two half-people can turn into a whole.

A hole. So deep in my heart. An obsession with filling it with my one true match.

A match. That lights the burning fire of my passion. Infatuation with the things we choose not to address.

An address. A home. Inside my brain you live. Burrowing tunnels into my psyche, no matter how coarse.

Of course, I love you. Because how could I not?

You knot my stomach. You cause my groans.

I’ve grown to love yourself more than my own.

But what is me without the idea of you?

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ERCEPTION

DIRECTOR Hannah Fliess CREATIVE ON SITE Cate Adams PHOTOGRAPHER Carah Gedeon BEAUTY Katie Russell MODELS Alexis Shectman, Anna LaRuffa WRITTEN BY Ian Kennedy EDITED BY Joey Flanagan LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner & Molly Custis

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or most of us, social media is a piece of our daily routine. It was constantly by our side throughout the infamous 2020, allowing us to communicate with family and friends during extended periods of isolation. Social media also shed a light on the need for racial justice through platforming Black voices and by making resources widely accessible. Although the various social media platforms have proven to be useful, what happens when they expand past their core purpose of connection and transform into something sinister?

There is a severe social media problem. In the past two decades, we’ve seen a highly polarized political climate.

We’ve seen an overwhelming increase in suicide rates and mental health issues. We’ve seen the rise of virtual, cult-like conspiracy groups and a normalization of online hate speech. We’ve seen programmed bots attempt to distort American democracy and spread misinformation campaigns. Perhaps the most frightening is the change in human behavior. In fact, right now, an algorithm is searching through your information and usage habits to design a perfectly tailored experience for the next time you open your phone. Your attention is money. Social media platforms and companies that use digital advertising feed us “relevant” information in return for our attention in the form of clicks, views, taps, and swipes. Dr. Cal Newport of Georgetown University explains that social media is deliberately addictive to, “maximize the profit that can be extracted from your attention and data.”

Have you ever noticed how you see an advertisement every time you check a social media platform? Each notification is a knock at the door of our attention, manipulating us to pause whatever we are doing and provide an app with engagement. And as we fall victim to this trap, our concentration is disrupted. Gloria Mark, who studies digital distraction at the University of California, states that it normally takes 23 minutes to return to an original task after an interruption and, “attention distraction can lead to higher stress, a bad mood, and lower productivity.”

Aside from changes in our attention span, we are modifying our lifestyles and appearances to reflect the image of perfection being fed to us through social media. Dr. Newport explains how, “constant exposure to your friends’ carefully curated positive portrayals of their life can leave you to feel inadequate and with increased rates of depression.” This feeling of inadequacy encourages filtering skin tones, smoothing acne scars, and adjusting “less desirable” features of our bodies.

Why do we compare ourselves to these artificial standards of beauty? We have become so dependent on social media that we often cannot recognize the symptoms of anxiety and addiction that disturb our brains. Our hearts should not beat

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faster the second we upload a picture and diligently monitor the number of comments. Our serotonin levels should not drop when our posts fail to meet unrealistic expectations of validation. Research proves the more we use social media in our daily lives, the more likely we are to feel lonely. Something that was designed to connect people is causing separation. Data shows an exponential rise in suicide rates, self-harm, and eating disorders since the introduction of modern-day social media. Even pediatricians have noticed an increase in mental illness within children. This trend is referred to as “Facebook depression” because it’s caused by online interactions like cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty expectations, and hostility. The darkest pieces of humanity have bled into online spaces.

The good news is, we don’t have to accept social media in its current form. We don’t have to accept hate speech, toxic “influencer culture,” invasive advertising strategies, or constant notifications. We have the brainpower to completely redesign how social media operates in the twenty-first century. Consider turning off notifications for irrelevant information or using the Do Not Disturb feature, allowing only the most necessary alerts to interrupt your day. Unfollow highprofile influencers who reinforce beauty and lifestyle standards that feel destructive to your mental health.

Remove social media apps from your phone. Having to manually search for sites will help limit the amount of time spent on social media, instead of having constant access at your fingertips. Lastly, consider making your accounts private to create a small community of people you genuinely care about and want to have meaningful interactions with.

Each of us must rethink how we use social media and demand accountability from the companies that have created this mess. We can break free from this obsession and build an atmosphere that is productive, peaceful, and infinitely more empathetic.

DIRECTOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Lily Fox CONCEPT ASSISTANTS Karina Lago & Alejo Rodriguez BEAUTY Abby Wright MODEL Hanna Peddicord WRITTEN BY Roxy Rico EDITED BY Cali Robins LAYOUT BY Taylor Moreno

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As college students, we are accustomed to steadfastly following the fast-paced lifestyle set forth by the media. Observation is the tool of choice for our generation, for we have the opportunity to analyze how we behave to see if we are keeping up with the trends. We spend hours clicking through the highlight reels of social media and devouring every detail. Our television and phone screens are filled with images of seemingly happy people living the lives that we long for. As a result, we rebel against the good-intentioned warnings set by those in authority over us and attempt to discover our own definition of self.

When we enter spaces, we unconsciously adjust our presentation of self to fit the cookie-cutter image of what is socially acceptable. Our society is hyper-fixated on the concept of appearing to be “cool”; we are drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Our lives are often spent behind a facade, hiding who we truly are and showing only what we want others to see.

When the party starts, we need to prove that we belong. Our social status solely depends upon how “cool” we can make others believe that we are. To be human is to want others to like you.

Envy you, even. We all want to come across as something that we’re not. Thus, with one illtimed move or reckless conversation, our social status can dissipate entirely. Attending parties and participating in hookup culture is the individual’s true key to success; our world praises all those who take part in these activities, although they

DIRECTORS Jade Sievers CREATIVES ON SITE Cate Adams & Hannah Fliess PHOTOGRAPHER Isabella Aragao BEAUTY Abby Wright MODEL Gracyn Holloway WRITTEN BY Kalijah Rahming EDITED BY Lexi Fernandez LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner

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may leave the person feeling worse off than before. However, we may push those feelings off, as we all desire to be validated by our closest inner circle, or, sometimes, by people we don’t know at all.

As the party goes on, we focus on our interactions with those around us. In those moments, we are forced to take on the role of being the main attraction, entertaining others to the point of potentially enforcing our own selfdestruction. Although we are able to connect with others on the surface level, we restrain ourselves from showing the fullness of our being. Our main goal is completely unattainable, as it is of perfection. The fear that underlies this belief is that if our true identity is exposed, we will be believed to be a fraud. Our self-identity will crumble and we will be left with nothing and no one to turn to.

When the party’s over, we are forced to selfreflect upon who we become within the spaces where those ideas reign supreme. We question whether we behaved as ourselves or if we were simply a product of who society wants us to become. During these moments, we need to be reminded that we are real human beings who deserve to be seen as such; we also deserve to see this vulnerability from those that we interact with.

The

passionate state of fixation with someone or something.

intense devotion to intruding thoughts soon develops into

We

Our obsession.

become intoxicated by the idea of a person or an idea, determined

to achieve our desires. In order to fuel the obsessive fire, we stop at nothing until we feel capable; purposeful, even.

We

are determined

to satisfy our insatiable cravings, and obsession is our only saving

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grace.

Obsessed

with ourselves, we are deemed narcissists.

Obsessed with wanting to be accepted, we are labeled desperate. Obsessed with products and price tags, we are considered materialistic. The cathartic thrill and addiction to our urges nurtures our obsessions.

As we navigate the uncharted territory of the future consumed by our tunnel vision, obsession becomes a part of who we are. Embrace it.

E OUT

WRITTEN BY Lexi Fernandez EDITED BY Tabitha Labrato LAYOUT BY Lauren Horner

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STRIKE MAGAZINE SPRING 2021