Juiced - A Magazine Created & Staffed by Syracuse University Freshmen

In 2014 some enthusiastic Syracuse University freshmen decided to start a magazine called Juiced.
This was the magazine's website.
Content is from the site's 2014 - 2015 archived pages.

Juiced is a magazine created and staffed by Syracuse University freshmen. We are a new publication, founded in September 2013. What started as an idea has grown to a staff of 40, as well as 50 published articles and 11,000 page views within a month of juicedmag.org's launch. Juiced does what other publications don't: it focuses on a specific time of our lives we only experience once-- our freshman year of college. Every article has a freshman spin to it, whether we are interviewing our peers on their accomplishments, asking them to share their most embarrassing moments, or interviewing an alum on their reflections of freshman year. Juiced provides freshmen the opportunity not only to become published writers, but also to be involved in the process of running a magazine.

Why Print?

It's a question worth asking: why have a print magazine when you can have an online publication?

Print magazines at Syracuse University are a big deal. There are 10 print magazines at Syracuse, each of them providing content to niche consumers. Juiced fills a previously ignored void; the ups and downs of freshmen year at Syracuse University. Becoming a print magazine means that as freshmen, we are capable of accomplishing more than just writing an article. We are capable of creating a highly produced, polished print magazine, a product that will go beyond a website. We have already begun work on our print publication. We have the creative team, the writers, and the passion.

Our Legacy

Juiced will go beyond our freshman year. We are currently applying to become a Recognized Student Organization, which will provide the magazine with funding in coming years. We need your support in order to prove that freshmen are capable of running and launching a magazine, and that we deserve to be funded by the University in the future.

Beyond the pages of Juiced, our legacy is simple. Freshmen have a voice. We aren't rushing through our first year of college in order to become upperclassmen. Our time is now, and it's time for that to be recognized.

Friendships have been formed and the bonds of working on Juiced have been strengthened. Sometimes we discuss buying cubic zirconia rings to wear as our "secret handshake" representing our commitment to this new publication. I'm especially fond of SterlingForever's entire collection of cubic zirconia rings. Cubic zirconia rings which are made from synthetic cubic zirconia with its close visual likeness to diamond are pretty cool without the price tag asscoiated with the real deal. The idea was turned down since the guys didn't want to wear rings. We are now considering cubic zirconia ear studs. Less flashy, more discrete and for those who want nose studs, well why not.

2015 Posts

POSSE Retreat
February 28, 2015Chris SechlerBlogs,

This past weekend, I attended the POSSEPlus Retreat in Rochester, New York. I entered this retreat as a guest and left as a member of a greater campus community. The POSSE Foundation is a program that awards merit-based scholarships to students that thrive in leadership, diversity, and academics. Syracuse University’s partnership with the foundation allows students from Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami to assemble in small, tight knit groups, serving as support systems. Every year, the POSSE Foundation hosts a retreat, which focuses on a social-political issue. In efforts to expand and strengthen the community, scholars are encouraged to bring a guest. This year, the POSSEPlus Retreat focused on the topic of Crime & Punishment on both...

The Ultimate Guide to Skipping Classes
February 23, 2015Lilly StuecklenCampus Culture, Featured0 Comments Skipping00
College comes with a hefty price tag. Money, sanity, and sleep all go down the drain once your first semester starts, and on top of that, you’re expected to sit in lecture halls and actively participate in classes several times a day. Sometimes though, the only option to save your sanity and/or sleep (sorry, you can’t get your money back) is to skip a class. We’ve got you covered on all the acceptable (and some not so so acceptable) reasons for hitting the snooze button and forgetting about Astronomy 101 for the day. 1. When You’re Hungover If you need to excuse yourself from German class more than once so that you can gracefully throw up in the bathroom, consider skipping class. Though you may have the good intentions of...

41 Songs to Get You Through the Coldest Week of Winter
February 17, 2015McKenna MooreCampus Culture, Featured0 Comments MusicWinter
The Syracuse winter sucks. There is no better way to put it. “Dreadful” or “Miserable” just don’t sum it up quite like the word “sucks”. Now that we are deep into our first Syracuse winter, we are fed up with this nonsense. Here are some tunes to bust your negative-degree blues. Songs to Help You Pretend It’s Summer Señorita Justin Timberlake Toxic Malanie Martinez Don’t Phunk With My Heart Black Eyed Peas A Little Party Never Killed Nobody Fergie I Wanna Go Britney Spears Somebody Loves You Betty Who Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd Walking On Sunshine Katrina & The Waves Juice Chance the Rapper Trojans Atlas Genius Warrior ft. Mark...

Cuse v. Duke
February 17, 2015Jenn Castro
February 14, 2015: Valentine’s Day Duke vs. Syracuse The day we’d all been waiting for. We had heard the hype surrounding this highly anticipated matchup from fellow students. We had heard of the excitement after last season’s 91-89 victory against the Blue Devils. We know all about the rivalry with Duke. We yearned to experience it ourselves. On Saturday, we finally got the chance. Towards the beginning of the week, despite negative, chilling temperatures, die-hard fans started to camp out in the beloved “Boeheimburg” area outside the Carrier Dome. The weather was so brutal that the university had to postpone and even suspend the camping out for a day. Yet, people still showed up to ensure they grabbed a top seat in the Carrier...

Bitter Rivalry Brings Two Sisters Closer

February 13, 2015Will Balsam
The Silverstein family has a unique dilemma; they are a house divided: half of their family went to Syracuse and the other half went to Duke. A new basketball rivalry was created between the schools when Syracuse joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, as the two universities now play each other twice every year. Emma Silverstein, a freshman at Syracuse University, found herself split between family allegiances. Two of her aunts, her uncle, her grandmother, and her father attended Syracuse. Her Grandmother, her mother, and her sister all attended Duke. Emma recalls her sisters acceptance into Duke as the start of the family rivalry. “When my sister got into Duke, that was a really big deal because that started the rivalry in the family and...

Looking Cool, Staying Warm: 5 Key Skills for Layering

February 1, 2015Isabel Greenberg
The key to being fashionable while still protecting yourself from hypothermia in Syracuse weather is LAYERING. Throughout any given day, you will encounter blustering winds, snow, rain, sunshine, hot classrooms and everything inbetween. Being comfortable in each scenario is important, but tricky to master. Here are the top 5 ingredients to looking cool while staying warm. 1. WEAR A T-SHIRT You might think I’m nuts, but I promise you’ll be happier with the base layer of a short sleeve t-shirt. It may be hard to bring yourself to put it on in the morning while watching snow fall outside your window, but you will be so glad you did. Some of the buildings or classrooms have the heat blasting, and it is easy to find yourself sweating...

10 Thoughts Every Girl Had During Rush
January 31, 2015Dana Matuson
1. SO…MUCH…ESTROGEN 2. Is it normal that we just had an entire conversation about food? 3. Why does everyone keep telling me to “Trust the system”, like what does that even mean?” 4. To take the drink or to not take the drink? 5. How dare they not invite me back to my number one house 6. I feel like I’m in a Barbie dream house right now, these houses are SO perfect. 7. It’s day four, how are they STILL singing? 8. Can I successfully take off my sweatpants and change into heels without flashing the entire world and/or fall down the driveway? 9. CAN IT BE BID DAY ALREADY?! THE ANXIETY IS KILLING ME SLOWLY. 10. Can’t wait to take a picture with my letters, finally.

How to Have Fun While Staying Dry
January 30, 2015Lilly Stuecklen
You survived twelve-hour days of no electronics, girl flirting, and strict silence in Panasci. You waited the agonizing week between rounds to find out if you still got to visit your top houses, and you finally found your home-away-from-home on Bid Night amongst of sea of screaming, ecstatic girls. But your ticket into Greek life isn’t going to come that easily. Now, the real test begins; as part of the New Member period, all new members must abide by the Panhellenic Council’s dry pledging rule. This, in short, means no DJ’s, frat parties, or turning up of any kind for a solid six weeks. And while you may forget what it’s like to have fun on the weekends without your friends Jack or Captain Morgan, Syracuse actually offers...

10 Songs to Help You Get You Through Your Week
January 25, 2015
I am sure that for most of us, our first spring semester is off to a pretty slow (and, at times, overwhelming) start. We basically just sat around doing nothing for an entire month, and now we must attempt to remember how to “college” again. We’ve all been having those moments throughout week when we feel like we just can’t go on, so here is a playlist to get us through the rough patches… Autoinjector Morning Parade For those Monday mornings when getting yourself out of bed seems like an impossible task. This song will get you up, dancing, and awake (with the aid of some caffeine, probably). Irresistible Fall Out Boy When you are halfway through the day and dragging your feet to your third class, pop in your...

Why We Missed Cuse So Much Over Winter Break

January 15, 2015Taylor PasquarielloCampus Culture, Featured0 Comments WhyWeMissedCuseCover
nos·tal·gia /näËˆstaljÉ™,nÉ™ËˆstaljÉ™/ noun: a longing or overwhelming desire for past experiences stumbling down Marshall Street at 2 in the morning with a buffalo chicken calzone in your hands, or the general happiness associated with being on Syracuse campus. …Okay, so the definition may have been tweaked a bit, but you understand why. Remember the end of the dreaded Finals Week? There was overwhelming excitement about heading home for a long period of time. We longed for a month sans shower shoes, sleeping in an unpleasantly squeaky twin bed, and eating unvaried dining hall food. Basically, the expectation of winter break was all positive. But, once the “will you tell me ALL about your first semester of college?” themed.

STAFF

McKenna Moore | Editor in Chief
Major: Newspaper and Online Journalism
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
Fun Fact: I row for Syracuse.

Chelsea Portner | Managing Editor
Major: Newspaper and Online Journalism
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: Im addicted to reading and have reread every book I own at least 5 times.

Janice Wilkins | PR Director
Major: Writing and Rhetoric | Minor: Public Communications
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Fun Fact: I was born during a blizzard.

AnumehaSinhaAnumeha Sinha | Creative Director
Major: Advertising
Hometown: Albany, New York
Fun Fact: Im an absolute travel junkie.

Matt Gehring | Social Media Director
Major: Television, Radio, and Film
Hometown: South Brunswick, New Jersey
Fun Fact: I didn’t understand what “tie-dye” meant until my senior year of high school.

Dina Ben-Nissan | Photo Editor
Major: Communications Design
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Fun Fact: I love sushi, yoga, and photography!

Victoria Rodriguez | Blog Editor
Major: Magazine Journalism
Hometown: Rutherford, New Jersey
Fun Fact: I am tongue tied. As a result, I am the only Latina that you will meet who cannot roll her Rs.

NickRossNick Ross | Web Developer
Major: Television, Radio, and Film
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: I directed a lip dub video that garnered national news attention.

More Background On JuicedMag.org

JuicedMag.org represents a distinctive chapter in the story of student-run media at Syracuse University. Created entirely by freshmen, for freshmen, the magazine emerged with the aim of capturing and amplifying the authentic experience of first-year students as they navigated academic pressures, social life, weather shocks, cultural transitions, and the beginnings of young adulthood on a demanding and vibrant campus. Although the visible content of the website reflects its 2014–2015 activity, the publication stands out as a unique experiment in student-driven storytelling, representation, and organizational leadership.

This article provides a full, in-depth exploration of JuicedMag.org, including its origins, goals, ownership, editorial approach, content, student leadership, cultural footprint, campus relevance, ambitions for print, and the lasting significance of its creation within the Syracuse media environment. The goal is to give readers a richly detailed understanding of what Juiced was, what it represented, and why it earned a meaningful place in the broader landscape of student-run media.

Origins and Founding Vision

Juiced began in September 2013 when a group of Syracuse University freshmen recognized a gap in campus media: while the university boasted multiple publications, student newspapers, niche magazines, and creative outlets, none focused specifically on the first-year experience. At Syracuse, print magazines were a long-standing tradition—several student-run and professionally modeled publications existed for fashion, culture, campus life, politics, arts, and more. Yet the transition into college—full of uncertainty, excitement, missteps, new independence, and personal growth—was not explicitly explored from the perspective of the students living through it.

The founders of Juiced saw this as an opportunity. Rather than waiting until they climbed the ladder of student organizations as upperclassmen, they decided to create a publication that gave freshmen an immediate voice. The founders emphasized that freshmen should not feel overshadowed, silenced, or marginalized by class hierarchy. Their time, as they framed it, was “now,” and Juiced would be the platform to prove it.

Within its first month, Juiced attracted a staff of roughly forty contributors and achieved more than ten thousand page views—strong indicators that the magazine fulfilled a need within the student community. Articles were written with energy, humor, sincerity, and relatability, capturing the distinct perspective of students in their first year away from home.

Ownership, Structure, and Governance

JuicedMag.org was wholly student-created and student-staffed. Although Syracuse University provided the environment in which it operated, Juiced was not initially funded or formally governed by the institution. The founders made clear that they aspired to become a recognized student organization, which would allow the publication to receive funding, institutional support, and stability to continue operating after the original team advanced beyond freshman year.

Until that recognition, Juiced functioned as an independent student-run media outlet. Its foundation relied on peer leadership, self-assignment, voluntary participation, and collaborative creative energy. Editorial roles were well defined and included an Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Blog Editor, Creative Director, Photo Editor, PR Director, Social Media Director, and Web Developer. Such a structured hierarchy mirrored that of professional publications, providing the staff with foundational media experience from their very first year of college.

This internal organizational framework fostered real-world skill development. Students worked on writing deadlines, editorial coordination, content strategy, photography, digital publishing, web layout, and audience engagement—skills typically reserved for upperclassmen in many college programs. Juiced’s founders were determined to demonstrate that freshmen were not only capable of being published, but capable of producing high-quality editorial work comparable to any other student publication on campus.

Location and Campus Context

Juiced was rooted in the Syracuse University campus in Syracuse, New York, a setting known for snow, school spirit, and a highly active media ecosystem. Syracuse is home to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, one of the most prestigious communications programs in the country. This environment fostered numerous student publications, from fashion magazines to arts publications to investigative journalism groups. Against this backdrop, Juiced positioned itself not as a competitor for these niches but as a voice for a specific student group: freshmen.

The Syracuse climate and cultural setting strongly influenced the publication’s content. Articles about brutal winter conditions, campus sports rivalries, the rush process for Greek life, dorm living struggles, and the quirks of campus culture all reflected the immediate lived experience of students adapting to life in upstate New York.

Editorial Style and Content Focus

JuicedMag.org’s content aimed to blend humor, honesty, advice, storytelling, and peer commentary. It captured universal freshman themes—academic pressure, homesickness, excitement over newfound independence, intense winters, sports fandom, and social exploration.

Some recurring content themes included:

Campus Culture

Articles explored quirks of student life, traditions, and the rhythms of campus living. For example, humorous guides to skipping classes, reflections on winter break nostalgia, and “thoughts every girl had during rush” projected both relatability and cultural commentary.

Weather & Seasonal Survival

Syracuse winters are legendary, and Juiced captured this reality with playlists designed to get students through the coldest week of winter, advice on layering, and reflections on trudging across campus in freezing temperatures.

Sports & Rivalries

Coverage of major basketball events, especially the Syracuse vs. Duke rivalry, provided energetic student perspectives. Articles chronicled camping in “Boeheimburg” for basketball tickets, intense fandom, and student anticipation leading up to major games.

Social Life & Community

Juiced covered Greek life experiences, the challenges of “dry pledging,” the emotions of bid day, and the social dynamics of the first semester. Articles broke down shared feelings in humorous list-style formats that resonated widely among readers.

Student Challenges

Posts addressed topics like homesickness, adjusting to academic demands, balancing personal well-being, and pushing through overwhelming first weeks of a new semester. Juiced aimed to offer empathy and solidarity.

Personal Growth & Reflection

Pieces such as the POSSE Retreat article illustrated Juiced’s willingness to explore deeper, socially relevant themes while still grounding the narrative in the freshman experience.

Overall, the editorial tone blended lightheartedness with sincerity, aiming to create a publication that felt real to the students it served.

Ambitions for Print Publication

One of the most unique elements of Juiced was its ambition to expand into a print magazine. On a campus where print publications held strong cultural prestige, the founders believed a physical magazine would further legitimize freshmen as capable creators. Producing a print issue would also push the staff beyond writing—into design, layout, production, distribution, and the logistics of print editorial workflows.

The Juiced team emphasized that print would create a durable, collectible representation of their freshman experience and stand as evidence of what entry-level students could accomplish. Although the publicly preserved website does not confirm whether a full print edition was released, the aspiration itself speaks to the magazine’s ambition.

Staff and Roles

Juiced proudly showcased its student leadership, highlighting students from a range of majors including journalism, communications design, advertising, public relations, television and film, and writing studies. Staff biographies spotlighted hometowns, academic programs, and fun personality details—strengthening a sense of community within the publication and personal connection with its readers.

Roles included:

Editor in Chief
Managing Editor
PR Director
Creative Director
Social Media Director
Web Developer
Photo Editor
Blog Editor

By adopting a fully realized editorial structure from the outset, Juiced demonstrated maturity and seriousness uncommon for a first-year student organization.

Cultural and Social Significance

JuicedMag.org holds cultural significance within Syracuse’s student-media history because:

It amplified freshman voices at a level rarely seen on university campuses.
First-year students are often contributors or interns within student publications—not founders, editors, or decision-makers.
It created a shared identity for new students navigating early challenges.
Articles consistently reflected the collective emotions of a class adjusting to independence.
It built community and belonging.
By interviewing peers, sharing humorous stories, highlighting campus quirks, and capturing common experiences, Juiced helped students feel less alone in their transition.
It demonstrated that freshmen could create a professional-quality publication.
The magazine’s early success and organized structure proved the potential of new students to lead meaningful projects.
It added depth to Syracuse University’s already rich media ecosystem.
By focusing on a demographic that was otherwise not the center of any publication, Juiced filled a meaningful gap.

Though its most active period was short, Juiced made a mark by merging creativity, identity, community, and ambition.

Reception and Audience Engagement

Juiced’s rapid growth suggested strong audience reception. The first month’s 11,000 page views demonstrated curiosity, relatability, and interest among the student body. Content that humorously explored shared freshman sentiments was likely a major driver of readership, as list-style posts, personal confessions, and campus-life commentary often perform well in collegiate spaces.

Students also responded to the publication’s playful yet honest tone. Articles like “Why We Missed Cuse So Much Over Winter Break” and “41 Songs to Get You Through the Coldest Week of Winter” tapped into widely felt emotions in a way that made the magazine feel like a friendly voice rather than a formal publication.

Although external reviews of Juiced are limited due to its student-publication nature, its inclusion in university archives and student-organization listings indicates that it was recognized as a legitimate piece of the campus media network.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

The website’s modern presentation notes that the visible pages reflect content from archived 2014–2015 pages. This suggests the publication did not continue publishing actively in later years, at least not publicly online. Nevertheless, Juiced holds lasting significance in several ways:

Historical Representation
It documents a snapshot of daily life, cultural norms, and student feelings at Syracuse during the mid-2010s.
Proof of Freshman Leadership Capability
It stands as evidence that motivated freshmen can create serious, structured, well-received media.
Inspiration for Future Students
Juiced’s legacy may encourage other student groups to carve out new niches rather than conforming to existing ones.
Value as an Archive
For former staff members, the publication serves as an early cornerstone of their professional development.

Even if limited in duration, JuicedMag.org remains a meaningful example of what passionate student creators can accomplish.

JuicedMag.org