TRANSCEND_Digital by UP Magazine

transcend

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Charlotte Hudson

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Madeline Buecker

PUBLISHER

Elizabeth Maher

DIRECTORS OF FASHION

Paulina Adams + Abby Thompson

DIRECTOR OF HAIR & MAKEUP

Scout Tincher

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Olivia Smallcombe

DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Abby Griffin + Sophie Masi

COPY EDITORS

Allison Lee + Kaitlin McDowell

DIRECTORS OF EVENT PLANNING

Sylvia Eastman + Olivia Smith

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Genevieve Artzberger

DIRECTORS OF BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT

Hayley Beardsley + Justin

Dinh

DIRECTOR OF VIDEOGRAPHY

Sophie Masi

BLOG EDITOR

Taylor Morgan

ADVISORS

Steve Stiff + Sacha Bellman

STYLISTS

Ella Salvagio

Nicole Gonzalez

Meggie Rasure

Mary Eisenhart

Halle Maskery

Morgan Schramm

Eden Brush

Emma Beck

Brigham Young

Anne Ambrose

Lucy Smothers

Abby Steinkraus

Paulina Adams

Abby Thompson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Olivia Smallcombe

Ryan Singh

Gabrielle Wehrman

Gregory Engler

Delaney Juenger

Emily Levine

Sophie Masi

Lily Hoffman

Lauren Turk

Jordan James

Ellen Long

Aric Engel

Sarah Frosch

WRITERS

Charlotte Hudson

Geogia Lokey

Sylvia Eastman

Addison Ellis

Boyd Ensley

Nisso Sacha

Cahill Masys

Tayler Nowak

Elliana Denton

Emerson Driscoll

Caroline Albert

BLOGGERS

Taylor Morgan

Anna Kate Mereness

Paulina Adams

Sara Kaufman

Tayler Nowak

Claire Weston

Lauren Hotchkiss

Paige Auxier

Emerson Driscoll

Maggie Carey

Sophie Masi

Noelle George

Kaitlin McDowell

Abby Thompson

Caroline Albert

Kennedy Stackowicz

Harper Sabin

Leah Hoffman

LAYOUT

DESIGNERS

Madeline Buecker

Teagan Farmer

Emma Silshtut

Hannah Sheets

Caitlin Dominski

Sydney Mulford

Kennedy Stackowicz

Caitlin Wong

Olivia Michelsen

Abby Griffin

Jack Dinh

EVENT PLANNERS

Saliah Curtiss

Anya Makkar

Maddy Mahle

Rachel Lechak

Naomi Galas

Avari Watson

Megan Scarano

Eden Schleis

Evelyn Dugan

Lily Grudier

COMMUNICATIONS

Genevieve Arzberger

Anna Pyrce

Belle Travis

Maddy Mahle

Kiser Young

Nieve Cavangah

Maddie Barrett

Trisha Tabuena

Chloe Dickson

Katie Jordan

Lauren Sweeny

Katie Amos

Bryn Switzer

Cahill Masys

Ellie Adkisson

Evelyn Dugan

VIDEOGRAPHERS

Sophie Masi

Sylvia Eastman

Rachel Whary

Gregory Engler

Gianna Colarich

Elliana Denton

Aric Engel

SOCIAL MEDIA

Abby Griffin

Sophie Masi

Gregory Engler

Delaney Juenger

Teagan Farmer

Lauren Stuckey

Lily Hoffman

Paulina Adams

Michaela Lodor

Ashley Carpenter

Jordan James

Bridget Sullivan

Ruby Darmanin

Kiser Young

Lauren Turk

Abby Thompson

Maya Carey

Kennedy Stackowicz

STYLISTS

Mercedes Thompson

Eden Brush

Teagan Farmer

Alex Van Cucha

Ashley Carpenter

Ruby Darmanin

Kates Freska

Maya Carey

Olivia Romo

Kennedy Stackowicz

Kiser Young

HAIR + MAKEUP ARTISTS

Scout Tincher

Meara Green

Akua Osei-Bobie

Audrey Hughes

Sophia Hoerdemann

Nora Rolke

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Hayley Beardsley

Justin Dinh

Allison Albert

Avari Watson

Elle Koch

Maddie Barrett

Claire Zarinnia

Josephine Timperman

Paige Kolek

Evelyn Dugan

Maggie Fallon

LetterfromtheEditor

How can you sum up the experience change leaves us in just one word?

When Madeline, Elizabeth and I discussed ideas for this issue, we concluded this year has transformed our lives in unimaginable ways–in growth, but also in loss. We wanted to capture a unity in navigating through these periods of uncertainty and unfamiliarity. In these periods however, there is an opportunity for something more to emerge, an intersection between beauty and chaos that may seem out of reach, but ultimately comes from within.

It comes from Sylvia Eastman’s “The Light of Golden Hour,” during the special period during the day in our lives that invites rebirth, renewal, and resilience. It comes from “High Street to High Strength,” written by Addison Ellis’ that invites us to reach new heights by presenting new opportunities for our mental and physical wellbeing. In "Stitched in Time” by Georgia Lokey, we are reminded how things we hold in the past transcend new meaning in the present, and in Nisso Sacha’s “Huddle Up,” we see how dance breaks ground and stereotypes, inviting us to recognize hard work and determination.

Sometimes, all we need is “A Sign from the Universe” by Allison Lee, which taps into letting the higher powers that some believe may guide our decisions, if you so choose. Elliana Denton’s “Strands of Self” weaves our sense of identity with how our culture influences our daily lives, and in “Love Decoded: Discover Your Love Language” by Cahill Masys, find out what it means to love and love others. “The Network Effect” by Boyd Ensley explores how our business fraternities constantly rise above what’s expected.

Kaitlin McDowell’s “A Little Bit Fancy, A Little Bit Lost” invites us to revisit times when the world felt much simpler, while Caroline Albert’s “Sleeping On It” takes a deep dive into what we might not see above the surface. In “Pressing Matters,” Emerson Driscoll examines the importance of using our words to convey what’s right in times of restriction, and we discover how we have grown and changed over time with Tayler Nowak’s “Full Circle: A Conversation with My Past.”

With this issue, I invite you to transcend your mind.

Transcend your feelings. Transcend your relationships. Transcend your life.

Transcend empowers us to look at change right in the face, embrace our truths, and dig deeper than ever before, transforming into an end result that leaves us bursting with new possibilities.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. To our staff, our directors, Madeline and Elizabeth, I could not imagine doing this without you all. Thank you to our readers, and those who have inspired me to embolden a new definition of change.

Much UP

Love, Charlotte Hudson

EDITOR IN CHIEF

photographed by Olivia Smallcombe & Gregory Engler

written by Sylvia Eastman

written by Georgia Lokey

written by Nisso Sacha

photographed by Ryan Sighn + Gregory Engler

transcend

(v.) a shift in mindset, a chance to exploredeeper truths.

Transcend celebrates a sense of movement, beauty and transformation, not just an escape.

To transcend is to invite growth and the allure of new beginnings, and to understand that when change happens, it’s not always a setback.

By: Sylvia Eastman

When the sun hits its lowest point, casting a warm, serene glow on the world, this creates the only time of day some are able to feel truly at peace: golden hour. Being surrounded by the constant chaos and demands of the world serves as a reminder of how important it is to slow down and enjoy the art of simply being. Most people, especially students, often need a nudge to allow themselves to pause and reflect on the life they’re living, pondering whether or not they are creating a life they actually want to live.

When asked about the meaning of golden hour, Juniors Kayla McNab, Olivia Smith, Sydney Stusek, Marie Musbach and Nell Silverman collectively described golden hour as the feeling of life stopping. They stated that pausing their everyday lives to watch the sun at its midpoint makes them reflect on what has happened thus far in their lives while remaining appreciative of the past and hopeful for the future.

“Golden hour makes you appreciate the best things in life,” Smith said. “Golden hour is your prime time. It’s your time to shine.”

Golden hour may not always be representative of life’s beginnings and endings but also its in-betweens, specifically the inevitable gray periods of stagnancy. Finding stillness during intermediary phases brings clarity that would otherwise not be found. Without the anticipation of golden hour, there would be no foresight into a sunrise’s symbolic beginning or the

nostalgia of a sunset’s significant ending. Golden hour serves as a reminder that there is still goodness in life’s most mundane moments and that light can be found in the unknown.

Junior Solee Lim also experiences golden hour as a waiting period. Lim said that to her, the unexpectedness is meaningful.

“Golden hour is a different stage in the process of a new beginning or ending,” Lim said. “When the sun is setting in that golden hour, you gradually see the universe is sending you signs that something is coming. Suddenly, the sun is up or gone. You don’t know when it’s gonna happen until it does. You just see the process of it.”

Closing chapters in life is inevitable. Disconnecting from a person, place or feeling is a challenge that has to be done, for it is impossible to open a new door without closing the old one. Even the most beautiful aspects of life are foggy sometimes – golden hour is always cloudy after a period of rain.

photographed by Delaney Juenger styled by Teagan Farmer hair & makeup by Nora Rolke & Audrey Hughes videography by Sylvia Eastman modeled by Eden Brush layout by Teagan Farmer + Olivia Michelsen

Hardship creates a brain fog that makes it difficult to play the waiting game, but it is promising that the fog is always lifted.

McNab says that whenever she gets lonely, she takes note of the sun’s radiance and reminds herself to be optimistic even if she has trouble moving forward from something that is no longer serving her.

“If the sun can rise and set everyday, then I can too,” McNab said.

Ngalle said she likes to remember golden hour as the most beautiful time of day, inspiring her to find beauty and goodness in life’s most fleeting moments, no matter how short they may be. Even the best things in life are found in darkness, yet the only way out is through.

“Most days have a golden hour. There are always good things on the horizon,” Ngalle said. “We don’t know what’s out there.”

There will be endless obstacles to face in life. The best things always come in due time. Junior Jared Berkowitz says finding peace in the unknown is vital to finding what’s right.

“Just like waiting for the golden hour of the day, you have to wait for the right time in life,” Berkowitz said.

The best things in life are shaped during their waiting period. The best is yet to come, so remember to bask in the mayhem, embrace the chaos and never stop dancing in the dark.

photographed by Lily Hoffman styled by Mercedes Tompson + Maya Carey hair & makeup by Scout Tincher modeled by Logan Deischer layout by Caitlin Wong

it becomes more than a piece of fabric. It becomes a connection to memories and people of the past who wore it before us. Whether a piece has been preserved or passed down from a great grandmother or simply an older cousin, these items carry inﬁnite value in the story from which these pieces came from.

If you wear a jacket that once belonged to your grandmother, you're going to think about what your grandmother did while wearing it. If you're wearing your grandfather's old t-shirt to sleep, you will think of all the memories you have of him wearing that same shirt.

Sophomore Lissy Blume has a Naval Academy sweatshirt her oldest cousin gave her father and her father then gave to her when she turned 18.

Blume described it as a representation of her family because lots of her relatives are currently or have enlisted in the Navy. One must be enrolled in the Naval Academy to receive this sweatshirt. Her dad loves the sweatshirt and the fact his nephew and godson in naval training gave it to him made it even more special.

"Things are always changing and [the sweatshirt] was a symbol of our family," Blume said.

The sweatshirt was present throughout her childhood and she and her brother always fought over who got

sweatshirt over 15 years ago. She will see Johnny and his young family soon for the ﬁrst time in ﬁve years.

The sweatshirt is more a memory that sparks nostalgia than anything else.

"It's one of those things … it just feels like you're home, that's what that sweatshirt is," Blume said.

Wearing your family member's heirlooms makes for fun conversation as well. A sense of pride comes with the ability to say, "thanks, my grandmother gave this to me!"

When sophmore Evelyn Dugan's grandmother was in the hospital with breast cancer, she spent a lot of her time looking at magazines. A red leather jacket piqued her interest and she told her husband how beautiful it was. He went out and bought it for her immediately

Not all heirlooms are cherished for their looks, some stay with us for the memories they hold. For Keelan Wright, his memories take form in a teal "Made in Mississippi" t-shirt from his grandfather. The t-shirt reminds Wright of how his grandfather wore the t-shirt every time he mowed the grass.

Written by Nisso Sacha

Late nights. Bright lights. Studios that stay full long after the campus goes quiet. Long days that blend together.

Time doesn’t move to the same rhythm. It’s easy to miss the work that exists under the polish. Endurance that doesn’t always get seen because it doesn’t ﬁt the highlight reel.

Being both a student and an athlete means living in constant motion, facing expectations from every side and showing up. There’s a certain quiet maturity needed to live in two worlds without losing one. What looks effortless is built from exhaustion, repetition, and control.

For the Miami Dance Team, discipline starts where the day ends. Practices run most nights with a team lift on Sunday. These dancers ﬁt it all around exams, internships, and part-time jobs.

Senior Ellie Vining, a nursing student, says that balancing clinical rotations and late-night practices takes careful planning. Next semester, she’ll complete over 100 clinical hours while maintaining the team’s demanding practice schedule.

“I wake up at 5 a.m., get ready, put on my scrubs, and head out the door, and I drive to clinical in downtown Cincinnati,” Vining said. “I'm there for about eight hours, and then I come back, do some homework for a couple hours, get ready for dance, go to practice for two to three hours, and then come back and go to bed.”

The intensity builds throughout the year. Fall focuses on game-day performances, while spring turns fully toward Nationals in Daytona Beach. Routines are set months in advance, then practiced endlessly until every arm angle, eye line, and transition aligns.

Months of long practices lead to a single performance. The team competes in jazz and pom, contrasting styles that demand different kinds of precision. One sharp and athletic, the other ﬂuid and expressive. There are no halftime adjustments or do-overs. Everything depends on two minutes executed in perfect unison.

Cleaning practices break down each move count by count. Stamina nights push dancers past fatigue. Spacing sessions measure every inch of movement against rope lines and ﬂoor tape to ensure perfect formation.

for you while you're doing the dance,” Vining said.

Outside the studio, people often mistake the team for game-day performers. Few know about the routines that take months to build. Their work exists out of sight, visible only on the Nationals ﬂoor.

The sport doesn’t deﬁne them, it shapes how they move through everything else. It teaches mental toughness required to perform under pressure and the humility of being part of a group where success depends on everyone’s precision.

“You have one chance,” Leatherman said. “You’re on that stage for two minutes, and that’s all you get.”

photographed by Sarah Frosh styled by Abby Thompson + Paulina Adams hair & makeup by Scout Tincher + Models

videography by Sophie Masi modeled by Ellie Vining, Sarah Janeck, Madeline Leatherman, Mia Moore + Hailey Smith layout by Caitlin Dominski

Drifting Beyond

photographed by Ryan Singh

+ Gregory Engler

styled by Paulina Adams

+ Abby Thompson

hair & makeup by Scout Tincher

videography by Sophie Masi modeled by Olivia Patel

+ Ellen Long

layout by Madeline Buecker

+ Emma Silshtut

photographed by Gabrielle Wehrman styled by Eden Brush hair & makeup by Scout Tincher + Nora Rolke

modeled by Yoann Kenguemba + Gianna Colarich

layout by Jack Dinh

Written by Allison Lee

The stars have always felt less like science and more like gossip. They lean against the dark glittering sky whispering secrets about love, luck, and chaos. Planets slip into retrograde, signs collide and charts scatter like tarot decks across the floor. The idea of it, especially in today’s age, is enticing – light a candle, pour a glass of red wine and let the universe seduce you with the idea that heartbreak is written somewhere between Venus and Mars.

Astrology’s roots are tangled deep into the cosmos. Babylonians were plotting planetary movements in clay while incense smoldered in their temples. The Greeks transformed stars into myth, giving them names that our tongues still speak today. What we scroll past now – sun, moon and rising – was once sacred, a way of coaxing meaning from chaos. It was poetry, or a ritual, even a way of telling the universe ‘I see you seeing me.’

What exactly is astrology? It is not just what magazines and Instagram pages say. Many detailing things like, ‘If you are a Scorpio, you are mysterious and sensual. If you were a Fleetwood Mac song, you would be Tusk. If you are a Pisces, you are creative, yet emotional. You would be Dreams.’ Yet, it is far more complex than that. Astrology is the study of celestial bodies and their relationship with human experience. More than that, it is how one can find meaning and purpose in the vast unknown.

Senior Jess Beukemann has been into astrology for as long as she can remember.

“To me, astrology is a lifestyle,” Beukemann said. “It isn’t just about what my sign is. A [natal] chart is divided into 12 houses, so it is looking at every moving component of your chart and your own relationship to the stars.”

There are many misconceptions about the zodiac, however. According to LiveScience, confirmation bias, the Barnum Effect and even planetary alignments changing can affect this. For instance, applying vague,

generalized statements to the entire human population is bound to have many outliers. Not all Aries’ are bold, so their stereotype says, and not all Leos are built for the spotlight. However, some can be spot on.

Senior Julia Keto is a Taurus. Tauruses are deemed sensual and eccentric, something Keto relates to.

“I feel like I do resonate with my sign,” Keto said. “Tauruses are known to appreciate the finer things in life. I am one to invest in quality pieces, good food and comfort. Tauruses are also grounded, reliable and patient, and I definitely feel like these are qualities I possess.”

But there’s something comforting about the zodiac, whether it is fact or fiction. In the race of life, unexpected hurdles that pop out of nowhere and leave you face in the dust can make it seem like the finish line is some insurmountable fairy tale. When will it be my turn?

The practice of following astrology is what makes it unique. Horoscope readings change every day, much like the stars and the planets. Where these planets sit can hypothetically create drastic changes, like planets being in retrograde, for example. The illusion of planets moving backwards has been said to twist situations and draw the same sort of bad luck as passing a black cat or breaking a mirror.

Apps like Co-Star and Chani are our modern day charting devices. Each and every day, our devices give us a blurb – some celebratory, some cautionary – about how to approach each day, what each of the planets in our charts mean and what different aspects of our life will be like. Ancient astrologists, in contrast, had to map out the exact positioning of each planet and carefully calculate every celestial movement.

Senior Alivia Brello has been a Co-Star user since high school.

“What I like about [it] is that [they] make the app really user-friendly,” Brello said. “Even if the readings aren’t always accurate, they give a lot of details about what planet means what and why you were given that reading. It is super accessible for people who are new to astrology.”

These briefs can be incredibly insightful, as they can provide clarity to a once murky situation. Of course they were acting off, their rising Neptune clashes with their ninth house Leo moon. Modern enthusiasts tend to focus on the sun sign (what’s answered when asked ‘what’s your sign?’), or the ‘Big Three’ at most (sun, moon and rising), but astrology utilizes every planet.

The important thing to take away is this: horoscope readings are not psychic predictions. There is no crystal ball to say what exactly will occur. Instead, it is to act as a guide to allow you to choose to take advantage of, or prepare for, situations that may arise in one’s lives.

The next time you see a sign from the universe, pause – the Earth and the stars were never strangers.

photographed by Ellen Long

+ Ryan Singh styled by Kiser Young hair & makeup by Scout Tincher

+ Meara Green videography by Elliana Denton modeled by Allie Bradshaw, Mmesoma Ejikeme, + Deven Brown layout by Kennedy Stackowicz

+ Madeline Buecker

Written by Elliana Denton

From being a kid attempting to braid your mom’s hair with fingers that are too small to keep ahold of the strands, to being an adult and getting ready with deft fingers and internet suggestions, how we do our hair is constantly evolving. It's a process that is extremely individualized, including who we learn from, the products we use and the attention we pay to our hair.

Throughout history and through multiple races such as Africans, Vikings, Asians, Native Americans and Europeans, hair has been a way to embody values, showcase status, rebel against social norms and create

self-expression. These ideas have persisted through time and have given us an intricate relationship with our hair.

When asking Miami students about their relationship with their hair and how they care for it, their responses were varied.

Freshman Bella Muetzel, who has straight blonde hair, said her hair routine was minimal.

Freshman Brooklyn Agee, with long, slightly wavy brown hair, agreed. Using few products, her hair routine was simplified, mostly consisting of shampoo and leave-in conditioner.

Contrastingly, senior A’Dymond Sammons had a more in-depth routine. With her locks, she greases every three days and consistently uses styling foam and detoxes her hair. Her routine is more regular and includes more products.

Having more of an impact than routines and products, most of their childhood hair inspiration came from family members. Sammons mentioned how many of the women in her family are hair stylists. Because of this, she always had someone to do her hair.

“When I came to school I was like, ‘great, I have to wash my hair, I have to blow dry my hair, I have to straighten it. This takes so long’,” Sammons said.

Her family had such an impact on the way she did her hair that it was an adjustment to learn to do it herself.

Agee similarly spoke of the familial connection of hair and how she used to do her mother’s hair when she was younger. Through this, she found that her hair connected her to her family. With a similar hair type as her mother, it tethered her to her roots.

Comparably, Muetzel mused on how much she looked like her family. With strong parental genes, most of her family, even those who are mixed, carry the same blonde hair. In this way, her hair type connects her to generations.

“I look like a lot of my family,” Muetzel said. “Everyone has blonde hair. Even some of my cousins are mixed and they’re all blonde, too.”

When looking at my grandma, Beverley Lackland, she stated that she didn’t have a hair routine.

“Products for Black hair are limited,” Lackland said. “Over the last few years I have seen a few more products on the shelves. This could be because we are constantly requesting for more.”

Products such as Not Your Mother’s, Creme of Nature and Native’s curl specific creams have become more streamlined as the demand for them has become louder.

Despite what products they used, all said that the bulk of their hair inspiration came not from products, but from social media and family members. Platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest were places they went to gather ideas.

Along with this, they expressed an emotional connection to their hair. Experimenting with hairstyles often affects their lives. Sammons expressed how having her hair up makes her feel mature. With Muetzel, certain hairstyles make her feel better, clean, while bad hair days do the opposite.

“Sometimes that can ruin your day,” Muetzel said.

When hair doesn’t comply, it can affect a person’s self-esteem, especially in a world so run by beauty standards. Contrarily, hair can also inspire, individualize and produce confidence.

“The underside of my hair is kind of dyed pink,” Agee said. This gives her a sense of uniqueness.

Hair, such a large part of our appearance, can shift our emotions incrementally.

Despite how their hair affects them, they didn’t feel that it defines them.

“My hair means a lot more to me than I thought,” Sammons said. “It’s never made me feel like I can’t be who I am because of my hair.”

Lackland, too, opposed the idea that hair shapes her identity.

“I don’t let my hair define me,” Lackland said.

Although hair does play a large role in our external appearance, identity is not found externally.

Whether or not we believe our hair plays a part in our identity, it does play a large part in our appearance.

Through hair a person can experiment with both their strands and their identity, all the while bringing them closer to their roots.

Love,DECODED: DiscoverYour LoveLanguage

By Cahill Masys

Words of Afﬁrmation. Quality Time. Receiving Gifts. Acts of Service. Physical Touch. These ﬁve concepts make up the Five Love Languages — a theory created to help us better understand the way we give and receive love. Whether it's with family, friends or romantic partners, love languages offer insight into how we connect, communicate and care. Are they the foundation of strong relationships? A cheat code for a deeper connection? Or just a modern myth?

There’s only one way to ﬁnd out:

your top love languages.

• For each pair, choose the option that makes you feel more loved or appreciated.

• Keep track of your answers using the letter at the end to help you discover your top love language.

• Afterwards, ﬁnd the heading about your love languages to learn more and hear from Miami students and alums – ranging from single to married

I feel most loved when someone tells me how proud they are of me. (A)

I feel most loved when someone gives me a big, comforting hug. (E)

I love spending uninterrupted time with someone I care about. (B)

I feel cared for when someone helps me out with tasks that are overwhelming me. (D)

I feel appreciated when someone gives me a thoughtful gift. (C)

I feel appreciated when someone compliments me sincerely. (A)

A gentle touch or holding hands makes me feel close to someone. (E)

I enjoy deep conversations and just being together with no distractions. (B)

I feel loved when someone does something for me that makes my life easier. (D)

I feel loved when someone surprises me with something special. (C)

Kind and encouraging words mean a lot to me. (A)

Just spending time with someone means more than what we’re doing. (B)

It touches me when someone runs an errand or helps without me asking.(D)

Physical closeness like cuddling makes me feel secure. (E)

I love when someone gives me their undivided attention. (B)

I feel special when someone takes care of things I ﬁnd stressful. (D)

Holding hands or a back rub helps me feel emotionally connected. (E)

I love it when someone surprises me with something I’ve wanted. (C)

A thoughtful note or text can brighten my whole day. (A)

I feel deeply cared for when someone helps me without being asked. (D)

Watching a movie or taking a walk with someone I love is my favorite. (B)

I feel loved when someone touches me affectionately. (E)

A meaningful gift stays with me and reminds me of someone’s love. (C)

Quality time together matters more to me than any present. (B)

Receiving a gift that shows someone was thinking of me makes me feel valued. (C)

Words that afﬁrm who I am help me feel deeply loved. (A)

When someone does chores or tasks to ease my load, I feel important to someone. (D)

I feel closest to someone through physical affection. (E)

Encouraging words lift me up more than anything else. (A)

Receiving something thoughtful, even small, means the world to me. (C)

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE!

To try to answer the mystery of why relationships that begin with love, adoration, and passion can crumble slowly over time, Gary Chapman, a career marriage counselor, developed the idea of the ﬁve love languages in 1992. He proposes that each of us receives love best through the language we understand. When our language isn’t being communicated correctly, misunderstandings, tension, and resentment can grow.

In his book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, Chapman compares differences in emotional love languages within a relationship to one partner speaking Chinese and the other speaking English. The good news is that learning your partner’s language is much simpler than an AP foreign language you might have taken in high school. It’s as easy as ﬁguring out whether Words of Afﬁrmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, or Physical Touch speaks love the loudest to you.

Words of Afﬁrmation

Receiving a validating compliment can brighten anyone’s week. Afﬁrming words are important in relationships with friends, families, and partners — especially wfor those who ﬁnd it to be their most valued love language. Hearing things like, “You’re a really great friend,” “Thank you for being so responsible and on top of things,” or “I admire your natural sense of creativity,” can feel like music to your ears. Even if you already believe these things about yourself, knowing the people around you see and appreciate them too is the ultimate gift.

1Chloe Masys, a married 2022 Miami alum, describes being afﬁrmed in her marriage:

“I can see words of afﬁrmation play out and speak to my heart when Dane recognizes something I do for him or a way I love him. Even just recognizing if he is

2it communicates that they value you above whatever else they could be doing.

Chloe notes that she values quality time most in friendships:

“I feel like if I haven't hung out with a friend in a while and gotten good quality time with them, it can feel like our relationship isn't as close, even though nothing's changed about the relationship. It's just like I haven't gotten to be with them in a physical sense.”

Recieving Gifts

Gary Chapman writes that those whose love language is receiving gifts often feel just as cared for by the thought behind the gesture as by the item itself.

Eloise Hayden, a single Miami junior, tells us how she loves her friends best through gift-giving:

“The other day, my roommate was having a hard time, and I knew her favorite candy, so I went to the store, got the candy, and wrote her a little letter… Just little things like that to make sure people know, hey, I’m thinking about you. I recognize you, I recognize all that

It’s the thought and effort, rather than the cost or extravagance, that mean the most to those with this love language — a gift can feel like a physical representation of love.

Acts of Service

Physical Touch

4Touch is a fundamental part of romantic relationships, and for some it speaks love the loudest. No, physical touch doesn’t just mean intimacy; in friendships and family relationships, it means communicating warmth and support. Chapman suggests that if this is your primary love language, then the absence of physical affection might leave you feeling unloved — even if other love languages are being expressed.

Abby Healy, a Miami junior in a relationship, tells us how physical touch speaks love to her: “My boyfriend just randomly grabbing my hand, hugging me, scratching my back, it makes me feel that he's there, he's listening and it gives me reassurance that he understands me because he's going out of his way to do what I love.”

photographed by Gabby Wehrman + Evan Schlick

styled by Paulina Adams + Abby Thomspon videography by Sylvia Eastman modeled by Aaron Somjai + Madeline Buecker layout by Abby Grifﬁn

For someone whose primary love language is acts of service, actions speak louder than words. This language is centered on caring enough to lessen a burden or help with daily tasks. Chapman emphasizes that acts done grudgingly or with resentment don’t feel loving. The spirit behind the act — doing it willingly and out of love — is most important.

Kayley Harris, an engaged Miami 2021 Alum, describes how her ﬁancé shows this language to her:

“When Alec is around and I have things that are running through my mind, he's like how can I help you, can I clean your bathroom, clean your kitchen, can I help you do this project…it makes me feel like very at ease, but also that he just really cares about my mental well-being.”

COLD FRONcouture

photographed by Sophie Masi styled by Kates Freska hair & makeup by Nora Rolke & Meara Green

videography by Sylvia Eastman modeled by Adelie Johnson + Lovisa Valentinsson layout by Olivia Michelsen

Written by Boyd Ensley

Whether it's bringing in 18 national chapter of the year awards in the last 25 years, creating an active studentrun consulting ﬁrm or fostering a brotherhood network of over 300,000 alumni, Miami’s business fraternities have paved the way for student success on campus.

In the seemingly cold and competitive world of business, however, these fraternities transcend toxic culture by building collaborative communities, sustainable leadership skills and lifelong connections.

Miami is home to ﬁve accomplished co-ed fraternities: Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi), Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), Phi Chi Theta (PCT), Phi Gamma Nu (PGN) and Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE). Each fraternity, open to all majors, has key specializations to fulﬁll the needs of the whole student body.

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AKPsi, the oldest and largest business fraternity in the world, is built on its “unwavering commitment to brotherhood,” as mentioned on their website. DSP, the nation's and Miami’s ﬁrst co-ed professional business fraternity, has created a vast network of members through civic practices. Miami’s PCT chapter provides a unique focus on international business and cultural education. PGN seeks to form holistic individuals, balancing professional skills and conscious leaders. Lastly, PSE offers an in-depth focus on ethical standards in professional sales and marketing.

The experiences offered by these fraternities aren't limited by Greek letters, as they all promote the professional and social growth of all their members. Whether in the real world or studying together in what has been deemed Farmer’s “carpet square culture,”

business fraternities have left a lasting impact on a majority of Miami’s brilliant students.

Everyone is drawn to a business fraternity for a diverse set of reasons. Recruitment and new member education present opportunities to step into the university experience and professional world. Junior accounting major, Cohen Mrozek, a member of AKPsi, recalls ﬁnding his home after an upperclassman from his recruiting process.

“You are a sum of the people you surround yourself with. I really took that to heart when I ﬁrst heard it and fully found that to be true,” Mrozek said. Mrozek’s quest for a driven community led him to AKPsi, which he now can conﬁdently call “a family.”

After accepting his bid, Junior supply chain and

operations management major Winston Thuente (PSE) became engrossed in the new member education process of PSE, all while being enrolled in Miami’s coveted First Year Integrated Core (FYIC) challenge.

“Whether it was talking to clients or learning new communication styles, it was nice to take what I was directly learning in PSE and apply it to school,” Thuente said.

At the core of each of the fraternities is professional development, creating genuine experience to prepare members for the industry. Senior Human capital management major Sydney Eynon, a member of PSE, broke down the element of friendly competition within PSE.

“PSE really fosters that competitive spirit, but it doesn’t let you get in your own head. If you do lose, you learned from it,” Eynon said.

Along with the set culture, many fraternities also ﬁnd time to bring in professionals and leaders to

“Having a leadership position kept me busy, but I lead by commitment. I had to learn how to take others into consideration.” Dinh said.

provide mentorship and networking opportunities. Sophomore ﬁnance and business analytics double major Nick Stefas, a member of PGN, credits his favorite experience to a lunch with an investment banker from William Blair Financial Company. This helped set the tone for his drive as a double major and becoming PGN’s Director of Merchandise.

“As a fall freshman scoping things out…it was an eye opener for me. This was my welcome to PGN moment,” Stefas said.

Along with motivated and creative individuals, the business industry requires conscious leaders. Business fraternities have helped many students at Miami strengthen qualities that suit them well in their future careers.

Senior Finance, data analytics and professional writing triple major Nisso Sacha (PSE), who is the current President, explained that she has found herself balancing multiple responsibilities as a leader.

“I found myself managing a lot of different roles on an 18-member executive board. This position requires

But perhaps the most valuable asset of business fraternities is the opportunity to ﬁnd great friendships and mentors. Recent 2024 graduate Stevie Hauer, a DSP alumnus, relived one of DSP’s trips to Chicago that he experienced as a sophomore.

“It was one of my favorite memories ever, not just a favorite college memory. Exploring the city led to getting super close with my pledge class,” Hauer said.

As an alumnus of the organization with real-world experience, Hauer has also had the full circle experience of offering advice and membership to active brothers. One may call it an evolution of a learner to a leader.

“When you ﬁrst get in, you try to learn as much as possible. But after a few years, you start to give back to the organization that gave you so much,” Hauer said.

Business fraternities extend far beyond professional networking; they enrich the entire college experience. These fraternities are a vital part of the journey toward becoming conﬁdent leaders who make meaningful impacts long after graduation.

photographed by Jordan James + Gregory Engler styled by Alex Van Cucha hair & makeup by Scout Tincher videography by Gregory Engler modeled by Ella Rakowski, Marie Ragozzino, Paulina Adams, Anabelle Hess, Caitlyn Korallus, Allie Steiner, + Kenzie Hajuduk layout by Madeline Buecker

Written by Addison Ellis

When you first walk into Fitness on High (FOH) the atmosphere feels different, music hums softly and yoga mats are rolled out neatly, creating a calm yet energetic environment. Recently opened in March 2025, Fitness on High aims to feel less like a gym and more like a community. It’s a place where anyone who enjoys movement feels welcomed and balance feels possible.

FOH HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT I CAN DO IT.

In search of a workout studio closer to Oxford, Fitness on High Owner, Kerri Cissna began looking for her own studio location in Oxford three years ago. Her vision became a reality when Tyler Storer and Jackson Trester, owners of local restaurant, OxVegas Chicken, approached her with a business proposal. They had found a promising space and were looking for someone with her expertise in the fitness industry to bring the place to life.

For Cissna, it felt like all the stars had aligned. Her mission was to make people feel elevated-physically, spiritually and emotionally. This welcoming attitude she envisioned is apparent from the warm smiles at

the front desk to the gentle encouragement in each class.

“They had found the perfect location, and I could provide the industry expertise as a certified instructor and fitness enthusiast,” Cissna said.

For many new members, like sophomore Gianna Giocondo, this sense of belonging is what makes the studio stand out to her.

“It’s such a supportive community where instructors work hard to create a good environment," Giocondo said.

Offering a variety of classes like yoga, pilates, barre

and tone, Fitness on High caters to a wide range of fitness levels and expertise that helps members feel comfortable in whatever class they choose.

It goes without saying, opening a new business doesn’t come without its challenges. One of Fitness on High’s first obstacles was finding instructors.

After a lot of discussion, the three owners decided to create their own in-house teacher training.

“Each class focuses on intention-setting, proper alignment, breath work and syncing movement to music — all culminating in a cold lavender towel during Savasana,” said Cissna.

Since opening, the studio has held three teacher training sessions with many participants now leading classes of their own, creating a close-knit network of instructors who support one another's growth.

Junior Charlotte Kunzler teaches Barre at Fitness on High. Being a part of the studio has not only made her a better instructor, but also a better individual. Kunzler’s passion for fitness shines through every class she teaches. She wants those who come to her class to feel empowered and proud of the work they put in and leave feeling more confident in themselves.

“It can be anxiety-provoking to teach new classes or formats,” Kunzler said. “But FOH has given me the confidence to know that I can do it.”

With so many hard working instructors, it's easy to see why the heart of Fitness on High lies in the community it has fostered within its walls. This hard work is paying off as the most popular classes, yoga sculpt and hot mat Pilates, are fully booked each week.

Yoga sculpt combines traditional yoga poses with light weights and bursts of cardio. Hot mat Pilates, performed on a mat in a heated room, focuses on core strength, stability and flexibility, while the warmth of the room helps loosen muscles and makes the movements feel more fluid.

“They both combine strength, heat and mindfulness in a way that leaves you feeling completely recharged,” Cissna said.

These classes have made the studio a go-to wellness destination for Miami students and Oxford residents alike.

Looking ahead, Cissna and the other owners are focused on growing Fitness on High further. She is committed to building a fitness boutique experience that fosters a lifelong passion for wellness.

In the short term, their goal is to cultivate a strong presence in Oxford along with establishing a loyal client base. Long term, Cissna hopes Fitness on High will become the leading fitness provider in Oxford, expanding class offerings and eventually offering grab-and-go food and juices.

For those interested in joining, Fitness on High makes health accessible with so many options. Whether you want to drop in occasionally or commit to a weekly regimen, the studio offers individual classes, class packs and unlimited monthly memberships. Class pricing and booking is available on the studio’s website and app.

With an abundance of class formats, a supportive community and wellness experiences that go beyond exercise, Fitness on High embodies Cissna's promise of an empowering fitness experience. It’s a space where members don’t just work out, they recharge, grow, and thrive.

Written by Kaitlin McDowell

Sophisticated tea parties, trying to walk in our mother’s high heels and toy phones are some examples of how childhood was often deﬁned by our eagerness to imitate adulthood. For many, the idea of turning sixteen or simply being in high school carried a sense of glamour. Even the playground reﬂected these aspirations with games of “family” or “house” which invited us to play at domestic life, with one playmate taking on the role of mother or big sister, tending to her “children” with all the seriousness of make-believe.

However, now as college students – some close to being college graduates – adulthood does not seem as exciting or glamorous. With interviews, applications and an abundance of uncertainty on the horizon (and no tea parties in sight), how can college students incorporate elements from our childhoods into daily life to lessen the stress of the future?

One posh character from our childhood had this ﬁgured out from a young age: Fancy Nancy.

Star of Jane O’Connors children’s book, Fancy Nancy, young Nancy is obsessed with “being fancy.” For her this meant using big words, wearing boas and tiaras and always eating her sandwiches with frilly toothpicks. 2025 coincidentally marks the 20th anniversary of Fancy Nancy, which makes one wonder how Nancy would be celebrating her life as a twenty something nowadays?

This addition of fancy-ness can appear in many ways. For some it may mean dressing up more often or throwing extravagant birthday parties similar to the ones we had as kids.

Senior education major Alyssa Hardman, channeled her inner child through a princess themed twenty ﬁrst birthday party last year.

“Ever since I was little, my mom planned ﬂamboyant birthday parties and treated every year like it

photographed by styled by Ruby Darmanin hair & makeup by + Sophia Hoerdemann modeled by Kennedy Stackowicz, Olivia Smallcombe, Meghan Smith, Eloise Hayden, Elizabeth Whelan layout by Hannah Sheets

was my ﬁrst birthday,” Hardman said. “I missed it so I called her and said ‘mom I want to plan something that reminds me of me when I was little.’”

As the star of the night, Hardman dressed up as Cinderella and her guests dressed as other princesses of their choosing. Alongside this, Hardman planned games for her guests and got a cake that was “almost too pretty to eat.”

“It wasn’t just about me. Birthdays are more about the people around you and getting to spend it

express themselves, everyone can take a cue from Fancy Nancy’s bold sense of individuality.

Junior Lucy Zimmer, channels her love for Fancy Nancy and all things “girly,” through artwork as well as her own life, such as the use of pink and feathers in her room. Looking to design her own children’s book in the future, Zimmer draws inspiration for her paintings and drawings from children books, especially one of her childhood favorites, Fancy Nancy.

“What I’m trying to do with my books will give me a way to never have to fully grow up, because I’ll be channeling the child-like energy into what I’m doing every day,” Zimmer said.

Alongside taking inspiration from Fancy Nancy for her artwork, Zimmer hosted a Fancy Nancy inspired birthday party, which she described as “childlike and feminine.”

“Fancy Nancy is about bringing extravagance to things that you don't necessarily need, but doing it because why not?” Zimmer said.

As overwhelmed college students, we can all beneﬁt from taking a page out of Fancy Nancy’s book, and make our own lives fancier.

I ink e manifestation of being a kid again

Written by Caroline Albert

ittle things can often disrupt the ﬂow of our lives; much like in Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale, "The Princess and the Pea." The princess' sleep was disrupted by a singular pea in a stack of endless mattresses, portraying how impactful the little things in life can be.

Sophomore Ava Petrucci has her own pea that used to keep her up at night.

In October 2024, Petrucci said she was recovering from strep throat when she woke up to half of her face paralyzed. After 40 minutes of hysterical laughter with her family, she immediately went to the hospital and was diagnosed with Bell's palsy.

The doctors estimated that her face would be paralyzed for around two years because of the severity of her case, Petrucci said. At the time, she was completely unable to close her right eye, move half her lip and feel anything on the right side of her face.

"I was laughing the whole time because I was like ‘this is a dream'," Petrucci said. "I didn't know what to do."

Her face ended up being paralyzed for about three months, Petrucci said. During that time, she had to talk out of the corner of her mouth, turn and tilt back her head to swallow, and tape her right eye shut to be able to sleep at night.

The doctors told her there was nothing more they could do, so she decided to try a more holistic treatment: acupuncture. Acupuncture was able to engage the nerves in her face again, and after a couple months, her face had returned to normal, Petrucci said.

Bell's palsy can be triggered by a multitude of things such as stress, pregnancy and other illnesses, meaning there is always a chance her condition could reoccur. To this day, Petrucci said that the right side of her face is still a little delayed compared to the left.

A “pea” might be something from the past clinging to the present, or something small that is a constant

photographed by Gregory Engler + Olivia Smallcombe styled by Ashley Carpenter hair & makeup by Akua Osei-Bobie videography by Elliana Denton modeled by Michaela Lador layout by Sydney Mulford

thorne in someone's side; But a lot of times that "pea" is not visible under a dozen mattresses.

Sophomore Ella Napolet said she struggles with being an anxious driver due to a severe accident she was in around Halloween of 2022.

Napolet said she was turning left out of a neighborhood, thinking she had plenty of time, when she got T-boned by a large SUV that the police ofﬁcers believed to be going 70 mph on a 55 mph road.

"Days after I was so paranoid about being in a car," Napolet said. "My perspective honestly changed because I didn't realize how fast things could happen."

She walked out of the crash with a concussion and major bruising, however that was the best case scenario. The paramedics explained to her that if her airbag had been deployed she would have broken something in her neck, potentially leaving her impaired.

Because of this, Napolet said it took her almost three years to get back to being comfortable driving again.

"It's deﬁnitely taught me how to trust myself more and have more conﬁdence in myself," Napolet said. "I think I was a scared little 16 year old behind the wheel, and now I'm not letting the car drive me, I'm the one driving the car."

A “pea” might be something from the past clinging

Sophomore Emma Courtney got into an automobile accident when she was three years old that will impact her for the rest of her life.

Courtney was walking across the street with her grandma in New York City when a bus driving down the street failed to stop for her. The bus knocked her grandma and her down, running Courtney over.

The crash caused her an abundance of spinal problems, head trauma and a huge scar on her leg, Courtney said. If the bus had gone any further, it probably would have killed her.

"I didn't break a bone surprisingly but I do have some brain trauma from it," Courtney said. "I don't know necessarily what but I have a 504 plan because of it."

Today, Courtney continues to struggle with aches and pains caused by the accident. Courtney said she goes to a chiropractor regularly and has done physical therapy to improve the lasting effects the accident caused.

Like in Andersen's fairytale, one moment has the capacity to impact the trajectory of anyone's life. Yet, it is how a princess handles those difﬁcult moments that deems her true nobility.

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photographed by Aric Engel styled by Liv Romo hair & makeup by Sophia Hoerdmann videography by Rachel Whary modeled by Andrew Dellafave layout by Olivia Michelsen

Miami University professor Stephen Siff, former newspaper reporter, conducts research that examines news coverage and government propaganda during the later half of the twentieth century through his class titled History of Mass Media and Social Change. Siff says that during the first and second world wars, there was “very little tolerance” for any speech that undermined the war effort. He points specifically to the 1918 Alien and Sedition Act, in which dozens to as many as hundreds of people were rounded up for reporting against the U.S government and newspapers were entirely shut down.

Siff says that the environment surrounding free speech has shifted drastically. He believes that with the presence of social media in modern times and the freedom to express ourselves with a touch of a button, misinformation becomes rampant.

“Misinformation today can be created so cheaply and spread so easily, and spreading information no longer requires ownership of big expensive equipment,” Siff said, comparing misinformation to the hoaxes that used to be spread in the early 20th century. “Anyone can comment on anything….anyone can create what appears to be a video, including the president, saying something.”

As journalists, the importance of reporting truthful stories is more important today than ever.

Professor Rosemary Pennington, the Chair of the Department of Media, Journalism and Film at Miami University, says there is a “continual struggle” for young journalists in media spaces, due to the work that is done with fact checking and verification and traditional work of reporting as a journalist in comparison to the much more opinion-based and emotionally-driven work of influencers.

“They might produce outrage, but that's not their goal,” Pennington said. She notes that many journalists attempt to let their work “stand on its own feet,” but in doing so, can create a distance from their audiences. Pennington encourages journalists to replicate the open, accessible approach of influencers to their freedom of speech and personally interact with their audiences.

“Misinformation today can be created so cheaply and spread so easily, and spreading information no longer requires ownership of big expensive equipment”

“Maybe it's time to get on TikTok and talk about your reporting process,” Pennington said. “Let's show our audience how we do our work to help them understand how it's produced, why we find it valuable, why we think it's important you also consume it in relation to all the other things you consume.”

Although the two professions have many differences, sophomore Alyvia Kaethow,Tik Tok persona, uses her platform to inspire authenticity and courage in others. New paragraph for individual quote after “own set of fears.”

“I want to use my platform to promote confidence and show that doing scary things for your own growth can help others who want to express themselves creatively online,” Kaethow said.

However, posting for a large audience can also come with its own set of fears. “Posting on a personal platform can be scarier [than on a publication like a newspaper] because it’s entirely self-controlled and vulnerable,” Kaethow said.

While many influencers share personal experiences to bring light to issues important to them, student journalists work to inform others and hold people accountable. Olivia Patel, Editor in Chief of The Miami Student, says that student media is essential in keeping the university connected.

“Student journalism serves as both a learning tool for those who are studying the profession, and as a resource for students and faculty on campus to know what is going on on campus,” Patel said.

Although Patel says that The Miami Student has not experienced direct censorship, she admits there are struggles that come with telling the truth.

“Our work seeks the truth in many ways, which isn't always pleasing to everyone,” Patel said. For sensitive cases, it becomes even more difficult. “In cases dealing with sexual assault for example, we have worked to best protect our sources, while also working to publish a factual and expository story.”

For Patel, student journalism is not just about learning new skills, it’s about representing the entire community.

“Diverse voices are essential to a student publication, because if someone on our campus doesn't think that we represent them in what we cover, then we have failed as an organization,” Patel said.

Diversity and engagement, Patel says, are the reasoning for the publication’s name, The Miami Student.

Diversity and engagement, Patel says, are the reasoning for the publication’s name, The Miami Student. She explains that by providing the Miami community with access to news and information, journalists have the ability to strengthen our connection to others and maintain democracy.

Beyond Miami University’s campus, concerns of censorship continue to grow. Over 550 artists, including musicians and actors are reviving the Committee for the First Amendment, originally formed in the 1940s to defend free speech in the entertainment industry. The group’s statement reminds the public that even though speaking out is often joined with backlash, silence can become an even greater threat. The right to express ourselves freely only holds value when exercised.

Pennington echoes the idea, stating that when a voice is censored, it speaks to the power they wield.

“I think in all these instances, whether it's student reporters, or professional journalists or it's people who are doing talk shows, the attempts to quiet them and to control them speaks to the importance of having such institutions in place,” Pennington said.

From journalists to influencers to other important voices in today’s media, every voice can carry weight. Altogether, these points of view create a diverse conversation, one that keeps people informed, encourages others to speak up and challenges normalities. Without these rights that protect speech and without the freedom to express them, so many voices may go unheard in a sea of control, misinformation and other threats our world faces today.

Written by Tayler Nowak

Dear younger self,

What do we expect when we come to college? Late night caffeine runs while studying for your next exam, newfound freedom as we branch off into our early adult lives, classes that sometimes make you want to skip but challenge you to be better, Friday nights at Brick Street and your favorite bagels, new people and all the other experiences along the way.

When you come to Miami University as a freshman, it can be daunting to start fresh in a place so big and beautiful. Leaving our homes for the ﬁrst time to discover new friends, clubs, classes that inspire us to go down paths we never expected for ourselves,

work ethic we had to grow into and most importantly, perhaps, a whole new outlook on life that will give us drive for our dreams and plans after we graduate. When we look back at our younger selves, what would we want them to know? What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Whether it’s advice helping through tough classes or taking a risk to travel abroad for the ﬁrst time, two Miami seniors share the advice they would give their freshman selves, reﬂecting on some of the biggest challenges of college life and some of the best experiences they have had.

"No matter what you do in college you're going to spend time, time working and studying, crying and laughing. Most of the time it's not going to feel like it was well spent. While you should try to use your time well, understand that it's up to me, future you, to decide if it was all worth it. You have no clue what I care about, what I value, what I know. Spend less time concerning yourself if you're doing the right thing and just do the thing. It is all going to pass, the good, the bad, the opportunity of it all. You are going to be fine.

Film society on Monday nights gave me an excuse to watch strange obscure, movies often in the company of even stranger people. It became a kind of ritual between my best friend and I to set aside anything to spend an evening together doing what we loved. I think I was most nervous that I would not be able to be independent or successful without people holding my hand through school and life.

The first few semesters I was surprised at how culturally homogeneous Miami was, a culture I didn't feel a part of. I then spent the rest of college being surprised that here, all the best people were usually just one or two conversations away. Join a club! Humanist society was always filled to the brim with interesting dialogue and discourse. The conversations were reflections of its

members, incredibly sharp but still warm and inviting. I ran NOMAS, a club of minority architecture students. It was hard work and mostly failed. Although, I definitely gained an appreciation for organization that I never had before.

What’s going to be your most favorite part of college? There's a lot to choose between, but walking and talking with my friends. Whether it was to class, between bars, abroad in Europe or after late hours at the studio, there's nothing like it. If I had to change anything I would have been kinder to myself. There were a lot of things I wanted to do but didn't. I thought I couldn't do them well enough. I thought I was being kind to myself then for avoiding things that made me uncomfortable, but now I can't think of a more punishing way to live.”

"I wish before coming to Miami, I did some self reflection. It takes a lot to become independent; fiscally, academically and socially. I had a lot of insecurities, which I had to tackle head on here in college. My favorite experience has been the entirety of my friendship with my roommate from freshman year. Since the day we moved, in we instantly became close and we haven't left each other's sides. I have never been so grateful for a friendship in my life and it's crazy to think that had I not sent a DM asking her about Miami, I would have likely not had something like that.

One of the things I was the most nervous about with starting college was the process of having to start all over. No one else from my high school friend group was going to Miami as well, so I knew that I had no choice but to start from scratch. As a senior looking back, I'm happy to report that I kept my old friends but made some amazing new ones along the way.

I certainly did not expect Miami University to feel like such a genuine home to me. Any time I visit my friends from back home at their respective colleges, I can't help but think of how grateful I am that I chose Miami. Oxford being a ‘college town’ is definitely unique, but not something that I realized I would ever grow to love

I am in a social sorority and I have a great on-campus job. Through that job I joined a club run by one of my coworkers. I feel that all of these activities have not just given me fun things outside of my academics, but they have allowed me to form such great connections among different groups of people.

People always say that college is a great time to put yourself out there and I agree. I think that the friendships I have made through my sorority, job and club have taught me that I am a person who appreciates people for who they are. Maybe that sounds cliche or basic, but I think that being a part of organizations helps you to embrace others in a way that brings you closer to them. Those people often can teach you things about yourself as well. My extraversion has grown and I am much more open to experience.

These two seniors have gone through it all during their time here at Miami University: the good, the bad and all the amazing experiences in between, all of it that led them to be the person they are today.

These two seniors have gone through it all during their time here at Miami University: the good, the bad and all the amazing experiences in between. All of these experiences have led them to be the person they are today. If you are a freshman reading this, always remember that if you believe in yourself and branch out of your comfort zone, you will most likely find your way. The next four years here at Miami University will be the best years yet.”

layout by Jack Dinh

LAST WORDS

CHARLOTTE HUDSON

Editorin Chief

It has been an absolute surreal semester working on TRANSCEND, and while the end of the semester is near, we are only just getting started! Throughout these past few months, working alongside the most talented team of directors and staffers has been an incredible experience, and I cannot thank you all enough for everything you accomplished behind the scenes, especially to Madeline and Elizabeth who have made this experience one of my most special in college. We should all be so remarkably proud of ourselves. I knew since I stepped foot on campus, I wanted to be a part of UP, to be a part of such a bold and beautiful organization that put the creativity of our students first. That’s what TRANSCEND means to me: embracing both the bold and the beautiful and the change that might be scary, and instead transforming our ideas into something deeper, something never seen before. Thank you to all that have supported our magazine, whether new readers or old. I hope this issue inspires you to recognize and celebrate change, and embrace the chaos that might come your way. I am so excited for what’s ahead.

Much UP love,

Charlotte

MADELINE BUECKER

Creative Director

My journey with UP Magazine started when I came to a release party as a high-school senior with my sister, who was then a designer for the magazine at Miami. Seeing the community among the members, and the INCREDIBLE work they produced, made me fall in love on the spot. I knew that I had to get involved as soon as I set foot on campus the following year. Now, it's such an honor to be working in this role as Creative Director and help bring to life the visions and dreams of our entire team- designers, photographers, stylists, and everyone in between. I truly would not have the friends and memories nor the achievements that I possess without UP Magazine. For me, working on TRANSCEND has really been about pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and embracing new beginnings while doing so. Change can be really scary, but shifting your mindset to see it as opportunity can change you life. THANK YOU to everyone who I've worked with along the way, and I can't wait for whatever comes next for UP Magazine!

Much UP love,

Madeline

MAHER

Publisher

Coming into college, I knew a single person. Otherwise I was in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Until I joined UP Magazine my first semester, I finally found the people I have been looking for. Those who are insnanley driven, sparked by creativity, destined for greatness, and kind above everything else. UP Magazine is a special place for creativity, and filled with exceptionally talented individuals. My journey in up started with applying for the Hair and Makeup & Communications team, to then becoming Communications Team Director, and now serving as Publisher of UP Magazine. Becoming Publisher has pushed me to become a better leader, individual, and friend. To Charlotte and Madeline, our long hours put in conceptializing, dreaming, and painting our vision of TRANSCEND into a final product that exceeded all expectations. TRANSCEND, to me is about that moment when you step foot into college life. It can be scary, filled with unsure feelings, and unknown expectations. But with a strong group beside you, you can TRANSCEND to the greatness that is lying ahead for you.

Much UP love,

Elizabeth

ELIZABETH