Letter from the Managing Editor
Dear Patriots,
It’s officially fall, and most people are ready for the weather to cool down and for the transition into that time of year where the pumpkin-flavored everything, costumes and sweaters come out. With the move into a new season as well as the midterm approaching, it’s a perfect time for a fresh start. Whether you think that means in your classes, or other areas of your life. This could mean reorganizing your notebook or planner, taking the right steps to getting the rest of your assignments in, and setting new goals for the second half of the semester, but it’s important to remember that change can be good.
Take the iconic movie “Mean Girls” for example, which happens to be the inspiration for this week’s issue. In the movie, the main character, Cady Heron, learns that the persona she’s adopted to fit in is no longer making her happy and she has to change for the better. Many people are afraid that change will make their life harder or scarier in some way. Cady thought being herself would mean that she would have no friends. Cady shared her struggle with the student body at the dance and they understood her and forgave her, and she found more acceptance than before. Sometimes, change ends up making way for things in life that are much better than we thought were in store in the first place; we just have to trust what we believe to be right. We should remember this as we reset our brains and re-find our motivation. And don’t worry, there’s only a week left until fall break so from now until then, work as hard as you can so when we reach the end, you can enjoy your time off to get into the fall spirit as much as you can.
Sincerely,
Emilee Agee, Managing Editor
Editor-In-Chief
Zane Ross
Managing Editor
Emilee Agee
Faculty Adviser
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Haley Bullock
Leanne Gregory
Tyler Kohn
Mike Krzyston
Rebecca Lewter
Jessica McFerron
Alex Nunn
Jenna Rose
Nichole Sharp
Tara Todd
Hunter West
Dan Williams
Kenzie Wright
Maranda Young
Cover photo by Nichole Sharp
Back cover photo by Mike Krzyston
Special thanks to our “Mean Girls” models: Savannah Frost, Hannah Reynolds, Lauren McHan and Erin Wibert
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It’s October 3rd
UC celebrates Mean Girls Day
HALEY BULLOCK Staff Writer
We all know the totally fetch movie that was a hit when it came out in 2004 and continues to be a hit today 14 years later: “Mean Girls.” The teen-comedy starred Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron, Lacey Chabert as Gretchen Wieners, Amanda Seyfried as Karen Smith, and Rachel McAdams as the iconic Regina George. In the film, the quartet makes up the popular clique at the North Shore High School: The Plastics. Fans, both on campus and around the world, have adopted October 3 as Mean Girls Day, an unofficial holiday to celebrate their love for the movie, as a way to dress up as their favorite characters and rock a pink outfit. The memorable quote that caused October 3, of all dates, to become this unofficial holiday comes from the movie’s character Cady as she is falling hard for Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett). “On October 3, he asked me what day it was,” is the famous line that made October 3 Mean Girls Day.
Ironically, this year October 3 fell on a Wednesday, connecting it to the movie’s equally popular quote of “On Wednesdays we wear pink,” making this possibly the best Mean Girls Day ever. It’s not everyday that a day like October 3, 2018 could fit together so perfectly.
Unlike most movies, it seems that “Mean Girls” has stood the test of time and is a staple in many people’s movie favorites collection. Personally, the entire plot of “Mean Girls” screams high school life. Sure, it’s a little exaggerated, but that’s what makes it so glamourous and what adds a lot of the humor into the movie as well. Myself, and many other fans, can relate with Cady’s struggles to fit in as the new girl and can’t blame her for aligning herself with the Plastics; they’re at the top of the ladder in terms of high school popularity.
Nicole Rountree, a UC freshman, says, “I still watch ‘Mean Girls’ today because I can relate to feeling the
pressure to conform like Cady does when confronted by the Plastics.” Rountree added, “So many things that go on in the movie still happen in high school today like bullying and cliques that run the school.”
Rountree also agrees that this Mean Girls Day has been the best one yet because it falls on a Wednesday, giving fans yet another reason to wear pink on October 3.
UC freshman Cassie Poynter also is a fan of the movie.
Poynter says, “It’s funny, super dramatic, and unrealistic which makes it even more funny because of all of the hijinks the characters get into like the parties and the scandals that go on throughout the movie.”
As you might guess, many fans of the movie wear pink on October 3 to celebrate the day while, of course, finding time to watch the film that they consider to be, as Gretchen says, “so fetch.”
UC freshman Abby Fletcher is among the many students on UC’s campus that wore pink to commemorate the day. Fletcher jokes, “I wear pink on Mean Girls Day because Regina George said if you don’t wear pink on Wednesday, you can’t sit with her at the lunch table.”
The movie has such a devoted following that Tina Fey, the movie’s screenwriter, has even turned “Mean Girls” into a successful Broadway musical. The musical, which opened in 2017, takes what you love about “Mean Girls” and adds new songs and dance numbers to it, catering to many musical-loving fans.
So many people identify with the different characters and relate to their struggles, that is what makes “Mean Girls” such a popular movie to this day. There are so many Regina Georges, Cady Herons, and Gretchen Wieners in high schools everywhere that it seems like almost everyone can relate to this beloved teen-centered movie.
In celebration of Mean Girls Day, here are 10 of our favorite quotes from the film.
- “She doesn’t even go here!”
- “One time, she punched me in the face. It was awesome.”
- “That’s why her hair is so big. It’s full of secrets.”
- “Four for you, Glenn Coco! You go, Glenn Coco!”
- “Get in Loser, we’re going shopping.”
- “It’s 68 degrees and there’s a 30 percent chance that it’s already raining!”
- “The limit does not exist.”
- “Do you wanna do something fun? Wanna go to Taco Bell?”
- “That is so fetch.” - “And none for Gretchen Wieners. Bye.”
Photos by Nichole Sharp
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
A big “Voice” comes to The ‘Burg
A Q&A with Jordy Searcy
BY MIKE KRZYSTON Staff Writer
The Campus Activities Board recently hosted singer-songwriter Jordy Searcy for an intimate concert held in the BCC. Searcy, a contestant on the 2014 season of the popular TV singing competition “The Voice,” currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee and is slowly becoming one of the most sought-after acts in southeast America. With a new album released, titled “Dark in the City,” Searcy took some time out his busy schedule to talk about his new music, his time on “The Voice,” touring, and his favorite tea.
Mike Krzyston: Tell me a little bit about your music background, how you started and all that good stuff.
Jordy Searcy: Well, I can remember being like five years old and seeing my dad play music at church and thinking to myself, “Wow that’s so cool; I want to do that one day.” So, I guess that’s how I got into it. My whole family plays music, it’s like our family trade. We don’t really know how to fix anything, but we can sing about it.
MK: When did you realize that you wanted to do this as a career and not just for, like, church?
JS: I started playing shows when I was around 13 or 14, and I started writing songs of my own a few years before that. I thought I wanted to just be a guitar player until I was 21. Then I realized I wanted to write songs, and make records and play my own shows.
MK: I feel like 21 is that perfect age to really start figuring things out, kind of find what you want to do and attack it.
JS: Totally! I think it’s great, because your life path really is never what you thought it would be. But once you find that one thing you want to be, it’s like, “This all makes sense.”
MK: Tell me about your new album “Dark in the City”, did you record it under a label or was it self-made?
JS: No, it was all self-made, no label involved. I hired my friend Lucas to help record and master it for me. I like to involve my friends in all my music.
MK: What about your time on “The Voice,” how has that experience helped you as an artist?
JS: I definitely grew a lot after being on that show. That was before I really found the sound I wanted my music to be. It was a fantastic experience though. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to get into music full time. They treat you very well there. It was the best summer job I ever had.
MK: Did the show impact your popularity as an artist?
JS: Honestly, not as much as you would think. I’m pretty sure most of my listeners find out about me through their friends showing them my music or just coming to my shows. Nowadays it’s rare for me to meet anyone who saw me on “The Voice.”
MK: I know you have a strong social media following, when you tour, do you try and interact a lot with your fans?
JS: I do, and it’s a lot of fun. I’m definitely not to the point where I could walk into the room and people would be like, “Hey it’s that guy!” I’m nowhere close to that, but what is cool is that I’ll meet someone at a show who has listened to my music a bunch, so I can have a conversation about a real personal lyric with someone I haven’t met before. That’s definitely my favorite part about touring.
MK: So, what are you plans from here on out?
JS: I’m touring throughout this fall, and then I’m eventually going to take a break and write my next record. Touring a lot and then writing a lot is the main goal for the foreseeable future. Just trying to get my name out there and record another album. I’m not sure about a time frame or anything but I hope to have one out within the next year.
MK: Before we wrap up, you write in all your social media bios that you want to meet your fans and/or make them tea. Why do you say this and what is your favorite type of tea?
JS: There’s actually a long story behind that, but basically I used to have these really small shows for my friends and we would just hang out and drink tea afterwards. My favorite tea is Earl Grey, and if there was time tonight I would make my whole audience some.
MK: Thanks again for sitting down and chatting. Any closing thoughts?
JS: I’m excited to play for y’all and I hope to see everyone at a future show!
Photos by Mike Krzyston
Love & War In Your Twenties
Singer-songwriter Jordy Searcy performs an intimate concert for students in the Mid BCC. Searcy performed covers as well as original songs including “Love & War In Your Twenties” and a duo with student Nikki Marietta. After the show, Searcy stuck around to mingle with students.
A photo essay by Mike Krzyston
Tasty prints for tasteful fashion
BY TYLER KOHN Staff Writer
Hello, my lovely fashion enthusiasts! In the time we’ve been apart, fashion weeks have come and gone, but my dedication to bringing you the most important fashion information has remained. Today, we’re going to take a look at an aesthetic choice revered by all ages and walks of life because it is born of something that we all adore. That’s right, this week I’m spilling the tea on food-themed fashion. I have plenty to “taco bout.” And if food puns don’t suit your particular appetite, this article “mayo” not be for you, because you “butter” believe I’ve got more where these came from.
Food-themed fashion finds some of its roots in a popular print that we all know and love: the cherry-print. This uber-popular print is a style of the 1940s and ‘50s and is possibly the most-recognizable first step in our society’s path toward the food-themed fashion we enjoy today. The concept of putting food prints on clothes gained popularity with the rise of the punny t-shirt, where food puns were “egg-specially” appreciated, and has evolved into our modern love of bold prints and eclectic pieces where food items are often the subject. Even though fashion is continually moving in a direction that celebrates a creative, risk-taking style, some of you might still not be sure about how to style some of the delicious morsels we’ve talked about. For those readers: do not fret! I am here to assist! We will begin with the basics and then you may advance in boldness to your comfort.
For the beginner:
Maybe you aren’t into experimentation with fashion. That’s okay. The food-themed clothing trend can be just as subtle as you want it. To start, go for some toned-down pieces layered under classic basics. Maybe it’s a taco-printed t-shirt with jeans and a denim jacket (yes, layering denim is okay), or maybe it’s some pineapple-printed shorts with a cropped sweatshirt and sneakers. Take it slow, little caterpillar, and when you feel comfortable you can bust out of your cocoon as the beautiful, bold, butterfly you were meant to be.
For the intermediate fashion lover:
Not feeling the subtlety? Awesome! You’re ready for the next step: statement pieces. Pair your favorite flavor of jeans with a bold, pizza-printed sweatshirt and some chunky sneakers. Don’t be scared to get colorful or mix patterns. That lime-green, slip dress hanging out in the back of your closet can easily be toned down by layering a strawberry-print baby-tee under it (think: major strawberry-kiwi vibes). Have fun and get creative. And when you’ve mastered boldness of patterns and colors, you can move on to the next level.
For the expert fashionista:
If you are already a bold connoisseur of food-themed clothing, it’s time to step it up and get a little crazy. Matching sets can really elevate your look and take your outfits to a new level. There are a couple of key things you need to remember to keep it chic though. First, accessorize, but keep your accessories basic. Let your set do the talking with some basic sneakers and a nude, crossbody bag. Second, playing with proportions keeps your look fresh. A cropped, oversized top with a matching mini-skirt or shorts is a great way to keep from looking like a toddler. Remember, at this stage you’re refining. If you ever think an accessory is taking away from your overall look, it probably is. Ditch it.
Remember fashion enthusiasts, fashion is what you make it. So if you choose to make it look like a dining-room table on Thanksgiving, go for it. There’s no wrong way to do you. Unless doing you involves wearing actual food. Just because Lady Gaga did it does not mean you should do it to. Leave that meat dress at home.
Go forth and whip up some delicious food-themed outfits. Until next time: I’ll miss you all “berry” much!
Photo by Mike Krzyston
SONG
Toxic
Rumors
Cherry Bomb
Perfect Day
Bad Blood
I Want You to Want Me
Genie in a Bottle
Girlfriend
Best You Ever
Hollaback Girl
According To You
Dancing With Myself
Man Eater
Royals
Roar
Comics with Caitlyn
By Mike Krzyston
ARTIST
Britney Spears
Lindsay Lohan
The Runaways
Hoku
Taylor Swift
Cheap Trick
Christina Aguilera
Avril Lavine
Michelle Branch
Gwen Stefani
Orianthi
The Donnas
Nico Brey, Taylor Mosely
Lorde
Katy Perry
