Schweitzer is a church for all generations – a place we hope you’ll be for your whole life! As a way to kick off the new year, we thought we’d compare the interests of middle school and high school students today to some folks around campus who were teens 50 years ago (back in 1974). We asked our student leaders to pull a list of top songs and artists, favorite hobbies and fashion trends; then we asked our Second Season group to do the same. We hope you enjoy learning about both generations!
2024
WHAT’S BUSSIN’ FOR STUDENTS TODAY?
Jackson Burlison (Freshman at Glendale HS) and Stella Green (Freshman at Central HS) interviewed around 40 students as research for this piece.
MUSIC:
Pop & Rap with some country making an appearance
Top artists: Taylor Swift, Bensen Boone, Zach Bryan & Drake
FASHION TRENDS:
Blue is a popular color. Our generation is definitely focused on wearing bright colors as opposed to wearing neutrals but not a lot of patterns, usually solids with a minimal design. You’ll see comfy clothing: sweatpants, sweatshirts (often oversized) and shorts in all seasons.
TOP HOBBIES:
Sleeping, sports, and hanging with friends
Levi Zen, Director of Student Ministry, gave some context to the hobby of sleeping. He shared that kids are so busy with various activities and school that when they have free time, they really just want to relax, “chill” and nap.
TECHNOLOGY:
Because most students have cell phones with cameras, taking pictures and selecting the best one is much easier. Students also use tablets and laptop computers for fun and school.
1974
WHAT WAS COOL BACK THEN?
Ed Goeke & Chuck Clore helped compile info about what was popular 50 years ago when they were in their teens and 20s.
MUSIC:
Top artists: Elton John, John Denver & Barbra Streisand. Music was typically played on the radio, on vinyls & 8-track players.
Chuck Clore said he witnessed quite a cultural shift in the churches in the early ‘70s, stating that at Campus Crusade Rallies they sang “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.”
Fashion Trends:
Harvest gold & avocado green were popular colors.People wore bell-bottom, hip-hugging jeans and platform-healed shoes (for guys too!) Old pics also reveal leisure suits, tight, nylon button-up shirts, mini-skirts and men’s shorts that were . . . short.
TOP HOBBIES:
Sewing and knitting, listening to music, fondue parties, sports (football, baseball), being outdoors and working on cars
TECHNOLOGY:
In 1974, A small firm named MITS made the first personal computer, called the Altair. Photos were from a developed film roll. Ed shared, “You had a finite number of pictures you could take, and then you usually waited a week for them to get ‘developed’ at the local drug store. This really cut down on the number of photos you might have available.”