Mount Hood

Dancing through life

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Dancing can be a valuable tool in several ways: it provides an exceptional form of fitness, an escape from stress and, in many cases, fun. And, for some, participation in this type of physical activity is more than just exercise – it becomes a passion. For sophomore education major Kaiana Bradley, this remains true.

While it’s something of great importance to her now,when she first began, this wasn’t quite true.

“I started dancing in the second grade because my mom knew one of the ladies who had a dance studio in town and just signed me up,” said Bradley. “At the time, I just loved getting to wear a leotard, and eventually I learned to love dance itself, too.”

Over the past 12 years, her love for dance has continuously progressed — as did her reason for practicing her passion.

“When I dance, all of my problems fade away. Any outside stressors just disappear and the movement takes its place. It is really freeing,” Bradley explained.

While her passion for dance is immense, so is the time it takes. With countless rehearsals, recitals and pieces she’s taken the hours to learn, dance is truly a time-consuming practice that for some, could be too much. Despite this, Bradley is able to maintain a regular academic and social life.

“I guess all of the rehearsals I had growing up taught me to get my homework done when I was available to do that … in high school, I had evening rehearsals and I was so used to coming home from school and continuing to do schoolwork, that I kept that practice going as I started college,” Bradley stated.

Not allowing dance to make an impact on her school life took years of practice and an understanding of how to fit everything into her schedule. And while some may assume it would negatively impact her social life, Bradley explains that it did the opposite.

“It provides an excellent social support,” Bradley said. “I have met some of the most amazing people in dance rehearsals.”

For students at Western interested in dance, Bradley urges that you simply go for it.

“(Interested students) should sign up for a beginning level dance course for the next term. I would highly recommend using a dance class to fulfill one of their arts LACCs,” Bradley mentioned. “The faculty are incredibly talented and all around amazing people who would love to bring new dancers into the department.”

Dancing has taught Bradley many lessons. Whether it be about life, school, herself or anything in between, it’s affected who she is as a person.

“Dance has grown me into a more independent, confident individual than I would have been without it,” Bradley stated. “And becoming a coachable person is something that will help me later on in life.”

 

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

A week that needs to be amended

Lake Larsen | Digital Media Manager

This week is second amendment week, a week to heighten awareness on the subject of and advocate for the second amendment and gun rights. But does this highly-discussed amendment actually need — and, honestly, deserve — a full week of recognition?

The second amendment is one of the most controversial amendments due to an epidemic of gun violence in the news in recent times. Because of this, there are very vocal protesters on both sides of the argument fighting for their views. But I don’t see these pro- and anti-amendment arguments as equals. This is why I believe the pro-second-amendment rhetoric on our campus is undeserving of a full week of recognition.

In the gun debate, the sides can be reduced to two basic arguments: the right to bear arms and the need for major gun control. Yes, I realize there is an ocean of grey area to this argument but for the sake of time, let’s try to condense arguments into the following groups: one side fights for the right to be able to attend your class without the fear of an ex-student entering the room with a firearm with the intent to kill, the right to go see a movie without thinking in the back of your head an escape plan for how to get out in a shooting or even just the ability to attend a concert without needing to worry about seeing your loved ones gunned down by a weapon that can be bought by a high-school-aged kid. Meanwhile, the radicals on the other side argue that because a handful of old white men wrote on a paper 227 years ago that the “right to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” anyone can own any gun at any time with any amount of ammunition to do with what they please. That the right to own a gun is given to American citizens no matter what their past is like. That no matter how many innocent lives are taken by guns, people still need them.

I am not trying to throw all second amendment advocates into one generalized, gun-crazed group. What I am trying to say is that one side wants the peace of mind to not worry about whether they, or a loved one, will come home safe. And the radicals on the other side think some ink on a paper means everyone should own a gun, any type of gun, for hunting or killing a robber or whatever they please.

This gross difference in the value of a human life is what disqualifies this week as appropriate for a college campus. If we want to be the kind of college that condones speech like this, at least match it with dialogue that actually follows what the second amendment says. Because a true second amendment week would preach about the need for regulation on guns, because after all, the second and third words in the amendment are “well regulated”. Instead, the events for the week involve playing with Nerf guns.

 

Ignore the voices pushing  this week of second amendment worship on campus. This campus is for education, not preaching for ownership of weapons that cause the deaths of almost 13,000 Americans every year. While diversity of thought helps grow society, the lack of empathy for human life slows progress.

Enough of this “good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun.” Instead, realize that the lack of a gun means there’s a lowered ability to kill anyone. Preach love and unity, not protectionism and violence. If there is one thing that the founding fathers said that needs to be repeated, it’s that every American has the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” So, stop these lies of needing a gun to be safe and, instead, educate about how we can come together to create a peaceful society.

Lastly, I’d like to leave you with some facts that should carry the most weight during this pro-second amendment propaganda week: per everytownresearch.org, on average in America every 15 minutes someone is killed by a gun; there are approximately 36 homicides by a gun everyday; every other month on average a child or teen is murdered with a gun; as of May 13, there have been 39 gun related incidents at a school in 2018 — that’s an average of two per week.

Now ask yourself: do we really need this week?

 

Contact the author at llarsen13@wou.edu

Photo by: latimes.com

Simon Fraser eliminates Wolves, 6-3

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Softball season closed for Western on May 4 with a loss to Simon Fraser, 6-3. The loss was their second in the GNAC tournament, after losing first to Northwest Nazarene, 3-0, and technically eliminating the Wolves. However, Western rekindled their championship hopes in the second game by defeating Central Washington, 4-2.

The first two-game set was played from May 3-4, and the Central Washington Wildcats and Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks took to the mound with Western.

In the first match up, against the Nighthawks, Western batters faced a premier pitcher in the GNAC; Northwest’s Jordan Adams leads the conference in ERA and struck the Wolves out 13 times. Western found success in the first at-bat of the game off first-year outfielder Tyler Creach’s double. Ryanne Huffman, junior infielder, put herself and Creach in scoring position after stealing second, but three consecutive Wolf swing-and-misses afterwards ended the inning.

The Wolves never got close to scoring again and the ‘Hawks provided the only three runs in the game by the fourth inning.

Facing elimination in the loser’s bracket, and down 0-2 in the second game against Central Washington, Western found life in the sixth inning. Jenna Kelly, junior infielder, doubled two into home. Zoe Clark, senior outfielder, drew in two more scores with her home run for the 4-2 lead and saved their season.

The final elimination game pitted Western against Simon Fraser, with the winner advancing to the GNAC ship with Northwest Nazarene. An appearance in the championship would have been a repeat for the Wolves.

Deadlocked at 2-2 in the third, Simon Fraser jumped out to a 6-2 lead in fifth. Creach hit a home run in the sixth: her first collegiate homer, but the last for the Wolves.

Western finished the season out with a 28-25 record.

With only two seniors leaving, the experience next season may be a huge asset, especially with the return of Creach and Huffman, two players that were top ten in hits and stolen bases in the GNAC.

“During this last off season I worked on getting faster and will continue to do that during this off season,” said Huffman. Creach felt that her first homer culminated from her constant work ethic that she worked on all season and hopes to keep developing her hitting and speed.

“I think that for next season it’ll be important to utilize more of my short game ability,” said Creach. “My speed is such a huge asset, so I’m looking forward to improving that area for next year.”

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

D.R.E.A.M. club supports students with disabilities

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

A new organization joined Western’s campus in April; D.R.E.A.M., which stands for “Disability, Rights, Empowerment, Awareness and Mentoring,” is a club that aims to provide a judgement-free zone for Western students, faculty and staff to talk about disabilities and the challenges that individuals with disabilities may face at Western.

“It’s kind of a place for us to talk about our lives but then also find ways to change the campus and change people’s perspectives,” explained D.R.E.A.M. club founder and sophomore Frankie Holborn. Holborn participated in a discussion panel for Western Accessibility Awareness Month where individuals talked about their experiences with a disability. She realized that many students with disabilities were facing similar challenges and took it upon herself to create a way for these students to help one another.

“For a lot of disabled people, it’s very hard to want to come out and ask for help, and want to join clubs like this,” said Holborn.

While the club is still new, they hope to do big things at Western. Club leader and sophomore early childhood education major Faith Van Putten aspires to help future educators learn about disabilities in the classroom.

“I want to focus on the teaching aspect of it and do the parts with the future teachers and getting them more educated on disabilities,” said Van Putten. She claimed that Western’s education program does not teach extensively about working with students with disabilities, explaining, “There’s so many different (disabilities) and no two people with the same disability are alike and their accommodations are never the same. So, I want to focus on that.”

To erase the stigma around disabilities, Holborn invites everyone to attend club meetings and ask questions.

“We want people to talk to us about it,” Holborn expressed. She hopes that both students and professors take the time to learn more about disabilities and ways to make Western more accessible for individuals with disabilities.

“If you don’t know if you want to identify with the community or if you don’t know if this club is right for you, I’d say come. We’re very open-minded. We want to talk with you. We are a judgement-free zone,” encouraged Holborn. “Anyone is welcome.”

To learn more about Western’s D.R.E.A.M. club, visit OrgSync or attend a club meeting Mondays at 6 p.m. in the Calapooia room.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Music from the heartstrings

Zoë Strickland | Editor-in-Chief

Emmaly Basaraba was three-years-old when she discovered that she wanted to learn how to play the violin; “I remember going to the living room and on TV there was a man playing violin and I was like ‘I want to do that.’” Five years later, her parents offered to get her lessons. On May 3, the Bachelor of Music major walked on to the Smith Hall stage to perform her junior music recital.

The recital, titled “Ain’t Misbehavin’” after one of the songs that Basaraba performed, featured jazz music from the ‘20s and ‘30s.

Music students Noah Adams and Justin Kayler accompanied Basaraba on the drums and bass, respectively. Her brother, Wyatt Basaraba, played both the guitar and tenor banjo. Between songs, Basaraba pointed out that certain selections — namely, “Georgia on My Mind” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” — were chosen because of her association between the songs and her late music teacher, Gene Hall.

She chose the title of her show because of how it represented the era of music she was focusing on in the set, as well as her memory of Hall playing it; “I felt it captured the essence of the time period that I was going for — jazz music from the ‘20s and ‘30s …  I have a lot of fond memories of Gene playing it with his granddaughter, because she would sing it while he would play it. I thought it just captured the essence of the era.”

A Polk County local, Basaraba was raised in Dallas, where she and her brother were homeschooled.

Music is more than just a degree or a pastime for the violinist. Rather, it’s part of her identity.

“Music is kind of the central part of who I am as a person … I love doing a lot of different things for fun but music is my escape,” she said. “Whether it’s listening to or playing music, it’s what I do to feel whole and to express myself.”

For Basaraba, this love of music comes from Hall. The instructor taught both her and her brother music from the time she was eight until he passed away when she was sixteen.

“It’s hard to find a starting point. He was my teacher, but he was a lot more than that. He was kind of a grandpa figure to me,” she said. “Not only was I learning how to play music from him … but he would be interested in what was going on in our lives … he was the person who really impacted me and kind of instilled music into my soul … it’s Gene’s fault that music is what I live and breathe.”

“When I’m performing especially, that’s where I feel the most open with my music. I’ve been performing for a long time … I don’t really get stage fright,” Basaraba’s love of performing stems, in part, from Hall as well — he would invite her and her brother to play gigs with him.

“I really feed off of being in front of a crowd and showing them what I’ve got,” Basaraba noted.

Hall is one of the the biggest musical inspirations in Basabara’s life. In addition to him, she also finds inspiration from her current music teacher: “Christopher Woitach — he’s really inspired me too,” she said. “Then there’s like greats like Stephane Grappelli and Joe Venuti.”

When she isn’t playing music, Basaraba works on campus at the Wolfstore, watches “The Office” and looks after her two guinea pigs — Wilbur and Orville. But music remains her primary passion.

“Music is my hobby and the thing I study and the thing I love to do,” Basaraba said. “It’s hard to think of other things I love as much as music — both listening and playing.”

The recital ended with “Five Foot Two” by Ray Henderson. As the lights came up, Basaraba’s brother got up and gave his sister a hug.

It’s clear that Basaraba’s own experience as a music student has made a lasting impact.

“My dream would be to have a private studio to teach out of. I love teaching private lessons, I have a few students right now,” she commented. “To be honest, I don’t have a set plan of what I want to do, but I’m very open to whatever comes my way. I’m excited for what the future has.”

Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Staying out of politics is a privilege

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

A few weeks ago, I was driving around with my boyfriend and began thinking about the upcoming midterm elections.

“Have you registered to vote?” I asked him. He didn’t respond.

I asked, “Did you update your current address online?” He replied with a small shrug.

“Are you voting at all?” I inquired.

“I’m just not interested in politics,” he replied. And we left it at that.

If you’re curious, my boyfriend is a white, cis-gender, middle-class male — one of the most privileged groups out there. So, it’s no surprise that he can turn a blind eye to politics because he’s “not interested” or doesn’t “get into politics.”

But, for some people, politics aren’t something that they can brush aside and choose not to participate in. For many, if not all, minority groups, politics govern their lives and well-being. Politics determine whether or not they have to stand in front of a capitol building and ask to stay in a country that they’ve lived in since they were children. Politics govern whether or not they can get married, own a home or get a job, based solely on their sexual preference or gender identity. Politics can dictate if a person’s religion will ban them from their home country and label them as a terrorist. Some individuals don’t get the choice to ignore politics.

It’s easy as a white male — or even for me, as a white female — to not have to worry about politics taking away our rights. So, if you’re a person who is generally not affected by federal and local policies, why should you care about politics?

It’s the same reason that men stand alongside women during the Women’s March, why I witnessed a room nearly full of white, older adults demanding support for DACA recipients at a town hall with Ron Wyden and why individuals living 2,000 miles away showed solidarity for members of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation — to look past your privilege and stand up for those that need it. That support begins with the candidates you choose to represent you and your community.

It’s one thing to be slightly uncomfortable when the name “Trump” comes up at family dinners, but if you’re actively not voting because the outcome of the election wouldn’t affect you, you’re turning away from the minorities in your community that are fighting for their lives because of politics.

It’s a choice not to vote, and not voting is relying on your privilege to protect you. I just hope you consider the people around you who don’t have that luxury.

Contact the author at sedunaway13@wou.edu

Western’s new soccer team plays third game

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

For the first time in their history, this year Western’s club sports included a women’s soccer team. The club has played two games in the season, thus far and stand at 0-2. One of those losses is owed to the Portland State Vikings with whom the Wolves played a rematch with on May 5. The team fell just shy of their first win, 2-1.

Portland State was ball-dominant throughout, getting two shots attempted at the goal post in the early 15 minutes of the game. The Vikings controlled the ball for most of the first half.

Goalkeeper D-Dré Wright, sophomore, mentioned, “It’s nice being able play on a field that we know that we practice on. Nonetheless, that doesn’t really change the game because it all depends on where the ball goes.”

Wright made a high leap and grabbing save for one ball that nearly got passed her, but Portland State kept on the attack, eventually getting their second goal in the second half off a high 20-yard chip shot that Wright could not reach.

The Vikings’s defense created multiple turnovers, allowing their offense to ramp up their momentum towards the goal. The visiting team increased control of the soccer ball in the latter half. This kept the Wolves on their heels, having to constantly create line defenses.

Western finally got their first goal, with under eight minutes left to play, off a long-range shot that went high and up over Portland’s goalie.

Western kicked it into high gear as the clock ticked with only one needed to tie, but time soon ran out.

“We’ve definitely gotten way better since our first game,” said sweeper and team captain Haylie Shinsato, junior. “I am proud of how we’ve been able to come together slowly. We still have kinks to work out but eventually we’ll get to where we need to be.”

The Wolves will be at home again on May 20 to defend their turf against the Central Washington Wildcats. The match will be played on the turf field starting at 10 a.m.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Simson Garcia

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