It’s that time of year again, the beginning of yet another 180 days in this wonderful institution . It’s a time to meet up with old friends, meet new teachers and, especially, see what everybody is wearing. This fall, there seems to be a new trend mixing in with the various types of clothing students are wearing. Amidst stripes, polos, and skull patterns, tie-dye is also making quite the appearance in students’ apparel, so much so, that it’s quickly becoming the new plaid. For those who have been living under a rock and are looking at the daunting task of making “tie-dye” with a mix of ignorance and curiosity, allow me to clarify: Tie-dye is the process of taking an article of clothing, usually cotton, twisting and tying the twists in place with string or rubber bands, then dying the piece with a number of colors. It originated in Asia during the sixth century. A tie-dyed t-shirt is more than just an article of clothing, it’s a social statement.“It’s not just making something, it’s making something with friends,” junior Sarah Kemp said. While plaid, on the other hand, seems to be just a manufactured piece of clothing. “Plaid is just pattern, while tie-dye is unique every time,” Kemp said. But tie-dye is not just a display of friendship. “It’s a good way for people to express themselves,” junior Calyssa Dolce said. It was the “funnest time ever” making her third tie-dye piece earlier this year, she said. Tie-dye also has a special meaning to Ames High as a way to support our school. Most students know that it is a tradition that the seniors make tie-dye T-shirts in Chemistry every year and wear them on the last day of school. A lot of school sponsored activities chose tie-dye T-shirts for their club apparel, glowing in an array of colors. Activites like SHEPH, the Uganda Project, and Girls Cross Country proudly display their tie-dye designs from last year. With all the afformentioned reasons, it is no wonder that students are trading in last year boxy prints for a t-shirt awash in fun times, creative expression, and color.