2023 Perry Challenge Rooney

Finalist Hayden Rooney

framing gen z graphic


HUNGER of YOUTH

The older members of Generation Z (born between 1997 - 2012) are plagued with questions regarding their future, including wondering where their next meal will come from. Three university students in the Lincoln area reveal their struggle with food security, showing how inflation rates and the economic impacts of COVID-19 are re-defining their generation.

  • Sculpture
    “You can’t save shit at Super Saver,” says UNL senior, Nicholas Murphy, as he wanders the grocery aisles at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting

  • Sculpture
    “You gotta feel around for the air… that’s how you know how much scam they put in here,” says Nicholas Murphy (age 21) while examining a three for five deal at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    Self-Checkout item list shown with an employee-made sign reading “EBT before Cash” at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    Nebraska Wesleyan junior, Jaime Orton (age 20), grabs a pack of beef flavored ramen at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    “$2.45 for bread, fuck out of here, where’s the cheap shit… they don’t got no cheap shit,” says Nicholas Murphy (age 21), while examining bread at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    Jaime Orton (age 20), searches through instant mash potatoes at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    Frozen Taquitos sit behind a freezer door, tagged with a sale price at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    Nicholas Murphy (age 21) loads $21.44 worth of food into the trunk of his car, “I mean I’ll try to push this two weeks,” at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    “I try not to get everything at once, cause I’m stilling waiting to get paid,” says Jaime Orton (age 20) while putting groceries into plastic bags at Super Saver, Feb. 25, 2023, N 27th St. and Superior. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting
  • Sculpture
    “I mean my EBT doesn’t renew for another week so I’ll just go then,” says UNL sophomore, Aedan Strauss (age 20), Feb. 25, 2023, personal apartment. Photo by Hayden Rooney / Sophomore / Broadcasting