“Against the Current” Video By Lucas Carroll

2025 FLUX Staff

FLUX 2025 Staff

Editor’s letter

Hacking away at printer paper I stole from my mother's office, a surge of joy and inspiration buzzed through my 7-year-old bones. The paper's edges were crooked, cut small and square, and dotted with headlines and stories and drawings before they were stapled together and sealed by the mark of a title — "Rock Star News." Made-up town gossip, a flyer for a pretend art show with an address leading the reader to my basement, an advertisement for "Malya's fashion design shop — 10¢” ac-companied by a tear-off coupon that read: "7% off gift card." I peddled them to my friends and family — some even handed over a quarter in exchange for the palm-sized book. I was beyond delighted. This work has had a place within me for long before I understood it. The same feelings of joy and inspiration that 7-year-old Malya had when binding her first book swell within me now, and I am honored to present you, reader, with this collection of stories (that you can hold comfortably in both hands).

This publication didn't begin with a theme. Nothing held these stories together until the throughline began to emerge. When it did, it was bright and hot and viscous; it shone through the way that every character in these stories embodies resilience, acceptance and intention. Intention to live. Intention to care for ones we love, to care for ourselves. The resilience and acceptance that comes with not resigning to our surroundings, or the difficult things we face, but embracing them — and moving forward with grace, care and courage.

Leading this publication is an incredible honor. At its foundation it is so brave. It pushes boundaries, tells intimately human stories, represents an unwavering dedication to examining our surroundings with a critical eye, and finds a way to encapsulate this moment in time. It's quite the undertaking to capture what it’s like existing in this year, in this place, in this moment in history, in seven stories. I confidently stand behind the power these stories have to express this moment in time — both on their own and in the ways their themes intertwine. These stories do what story does best: gives us things to ground in to as humans, things that tether us together, and lets us collect those things we connect with like little gatherers.

The people that put in countless hours and unwavering dedication to bring these stories to life through editorial and design are some of the most driven, passionate, endlessly creative, and kind people that I have had the good fortune of working with. The stories speak to their talent and drive. I am beaming with gratitude for this team and for the entire process of creating this magazine that is before you. And I won’t even charge you a quarter for this one.

Editor-in-Chief - Malya Fass

Thank you to everyone who came to our launch party with @ascendoregon. Pick up a copy of our new issue in Allen Hall, or click the link in our bio to access it online. Enjoy reading! #fluxmagazine #uosojc #published #newissue

Our 2025 issue will be published tomorrow! Join us at tomorrow's launch party in Allen Hall at 3pm. #fluxmagazine #uosojc #countdown #launch

Mark your calendars for this year’s issue launching soon on June 3. #fluxmagazine #uosojc #countdown #launchday

Publication countdown has begun. Keep an eye out for our new issue launching June 3! #fluxmagazine #uosojc #countdown

Last weekend, a FLUX reporting team got the chance to talk to ex-Forest Service Worker Liz Crandall about her time working in the Deschutes National Forest in Bend. Crandall lost her job due to unfair federal budget cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency. She has been very vocal about the treatment she received and was eager to share her story. Wait until June 3 to listen to the full audio story on the website! Here are three words the reporting team would use to describe the story: 1. Mourning 2. Realization 3. Environment #fluxmagazine #uosojc #teaser

Meet Sofia, our photo editor! Sofia is from Mountain View, CA, and is studying journalism with minors in science communication and sustainable business. Sofia loves trying new recipes, all things personal finance, and playing board games. Her "ideal Sunday consists of a ridiculously long walk and cooking dinner for my friends." #fluxmagazine #uosojc #memberspotlight

Todd Vogt first thought he would not be able to row anymore when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, then realized he could still compete on the world stage as an adaptive athlete. He said that he will keep rowing until he can’t anymore. Wait until June 4 to read about Vogt’s journey in the published magazine. Here are three words the reporting team would use to describe the story: 1. Identity 2. Uncertainty 3. Grit Photographer: Miles Cull @milescullphoto #fluxmagazine #uosojc #teaser

Meet Ella, our last managing editor! Ella is a Chicago native with a double major in Journalism and Advertising. She is drawn to storytelling in all its forms—whether it is a classic Carrie Bradshaw monologue or the no-nonsense wisdom of Mark Manson. Her all-time favorite movie is 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘺 𝘔𝘦, “because nothing beats a good coming-of-age story (with a killer soundtrack).” #fluxmagazine #uosojc #memberspotlight

One of FLUX 2025's stories focuses on Laurel Stone, owner of Apple Creek Merinos farms. With the help of her 60+ sheep, she strives to create the highest possible Merino grade wool textiles. But these sheep have much more to offer, including individually fashionable jackets and undeniable personalities. Wait until June 4 to read the full story in the published magazine! Noa Schwartz, the writer of the piece, describes the story's theme with these three words: 1. Care 2. Dedication 3. Love Photographer: Blake Kroeger @adxpt.bk #fluxmagazine #uosojc #teaser

Meet Claire, another managing editor! Claire is a senior studying Journalism and French. She is from the Bay Area in California and spent her 3rd year studying abroad in Paris at SciencesPo. Claire’s year abroad gave her “the opportunity to study journalism, French, and urban sociology with students from around the world all while eating my weight in pastries.” Some fun facts: she never EVER wears matching socks and loves burritos. #fluxmagazine #uosojc #memberspotlight

FLUX staff embarked on a road trip to Northeastern Oregon and visited multiple ranches over the course of four days in pursuit of a feature story. The videos, filmed by Shane, show a 4x4 ride at the site of a recent wolf killing, as well as a drone clip from just outside Baker City in Baker County. Writer: Aedan Seaver Photographer: Shane Balian @shanebalian_photo #fluxmagazine #uosojc #behindthescenes CORRECTION: The previous post included an incorrect description of one of the ranchers and has since been updated in the new post.

Meet Abby, one of our managing editors! Abby is a graduate student at UO and got her BA in Cultural Anthropology at Central Washington University. She loves any kind of arts and crafts project and even had her own mini clothing business during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Abby has two crazy cats and wants to write for National Geographic someday. #memberspotlight #fluxmagazine #uosojc

Throwback Thursday: FLUX staff interviewed Kathleen Holt, the editor-in-chief from the magazine’s 1994 issue. Holt's words were inspiring as she emphasized the importance of the power journalists yield when involved in publications such as FLUX. Reporter: Miguel Martinez #fluxmagazine #throwbackthursday #uosojc #editorinchief

FLUX’s 2024 Issue has received four awards from the following nation’s leading journalism award programs! 1. Associated College Press - 2024 Design of the Year: First Place Magazine Cover 2. Associated College Press - Magazine Pacemaker Award 3. Columbia Scholastic Press Association - Gold Crown Award 4. Society of Professional Journalists - Mark of Excellence Award: Sydne Long and Malya Fass Congratulations to the FLUX 2024 staff for receiving these awards and all of the hard work and dedication it took to earn them. #flux2024 #uosojc #awards

Meet Malya Fass, this year's Editor-in-Chief! Malya has admired this publication since she was a Freshman at the University of Oregon and feels it is "such an honor to be in this role." She is originally from Ogden, Utah. Some fun facts about Malya are that she competes on the UO climbing team and works as a host at the local NPR station, KLCC. In her spare time, Malya loves "to bike around Eugene, especially when the weather gets sunny, and I love cooking — mostly yummy pasta!" #fluxmagazine #sojc #spotlight #editorinchief

Dr. Lindsey Rodgers, an assistant organist at the Central Lutheran Church, speaks about the intricacies of the instrument, as well as the plentiful rewards that come with channeling leadership through music. Reporter: Joseph Fricke Videographer: Blake Kroeger @adxpt.bk #uosojc #fluxmagazine

FLUX visited the Tabor motorsports team in Oregon City for a reporting trip, an afternoon filled with stories, cars and a glimpse into the world of rally racing. The go-pro video shows FLUX reporters being taken on a test drive in one of the rally cars. The team said they “got to see how rally cars operate first hand. We all felt very secure in the vehicle. We experienced how they handled, the cool headsets, etc. So sick!” Photographer: Liam Hamilton @lem.ilton Writers: Aidan Eckhardt and Josh Berk #fluxmagazine #uosojc

Meet the team! Get to know the students behind this year’s magazine who will bring the edition to life through their work in writing, photography, editing and social media, each playing a vital role in shaping the magazine’s vision and storytelling. #fluxmagazine #meettheteam #uosojc