Throughout the decades, new generations have changed the way the world works. From the way we talk to each other all the way to what type of music we listen to, every generation impacts the world and each other.

This generation was born between 1946 and 1964. Their name originates from the rise of births after World War ll. During their childhood, the Korean and Vietnam wars took place. Man landed on the moon, the civil rights and feminist movements occurred, and  America lived through the Cold War with Russia.

“Our social life was all about school-related activities,” inclusion aid Marcy Johnson said. “We were very respectful of our teachers and our peers.”

The baby boomer generation was marked by their rock and soul music. The most popular artists during their time were Elvis Presley and the Beatles.

Gen X is referred to as the generation born between 1965 and 1981. The fall of the Berlin Wall was observed by many during their time, and society went through the Aids Crisis, and the explosion of the Challenger.

“Life was different because of the lack of social media,” teacher Neda Morrow said. “We called each other and went places. I remember connecting to people more.”

In the late 70s and early 80s, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” could be heard from radio stations and through MTV music videos. The most famous genres were disco, hard rock, and punk rock, with ballad singers like Whitney Houston.

“We were at the start of technology and have seen the most change,” ASL teacher Amy Thompson said. “We are more disciplined because we didn’t get the opportunity to hide behind a screen. We knew what a handshake was and we knew it was respectful to look someone in the eye when we talked.”

Millennials, also known as Gen Y, were born between 1982 and 1994. They also did not have cell phones in their childhood; however, they adapted to technology easily. Millennials were children or young adults during the 9/11 attacks. Social media emerged in their late teenage years to early adulthood, which drastically changed the way people communicated.

“Our generation was young when cell phones/social media were made available,” art teacher Rebecca Harrison said. “My opinion is that this was detrimental to the overall well being of our generation, but it shaped who we are today.”     

Millennium’s music was a mixture of pop, 90’s hip hop, rap, and country. However, millennial music was primarily marked by the beginning of the rise of pop. Groups like The Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys made their appearance as well as individuals like Britney Spears and Eminem.

“I would say that most people from my generation are hard-working and genuine, but misguided,” English teacher Brandi Bridges said. “We want better for ourselves and those around us, but we aren’t really sure how to get it. Instead of fighting for our beliefs and effecting changes, we sit back passively and watch the world change around us and just deal with the consequences instead of fighting for what is right.”

Gen Z is the generation born from 1995 through 2010. They are the generation that grew up with technology and social media. This generation was impacted by COVID-19, tumultuous presidential campaigns, and a rise in social justice protests.

“We don’t really like when people think we are wrong,” sophomore Flor Mendez said. “We also hate when parents don’t understand the stress we are all going through.”

The fall of rock happened with Gen Z music. With this new generation, there has been a rise in pop, hip hop, and rap from artists like Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and Drake.

“Our generation is the first to grow up with this amount of technology,” freshman Lexie Warner said. “For years to come no one will ever not grow up with technology. We are the first to grow up with it and the last to know what it was like to not have it.”

As new generations emerged, the way people viewed the world has changed.  The experiences the people in each generation went through shaped that generation, making each of them stand out.

“All generations are made up of people, with our flaws and assets,” Clemmons said. “It is how we react to the world around us that matters, and what we base our worldviews upon.”