Mount Hood

New Year, new WOU — former Western athlete qualifies for 2020 Olympic Trials

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Kennedy Rufener, an Oregon native and two-time All-American Western athlete qualified for the 2020 Olympic trials after running a mark of 2:44:17 during the California International Marathon.

During the marathon, Rufener placed 474th overall, after competing against 7,502 other runners. Out of the women’s section, Rufener placed in the top-100, taking 56th place out of 3,273 other female runners.

During her two years, 2016-2017, at Western, Rufener broke five school records, was a two-time All-American — hypothetical sports teams made of the top eight finishers in each event — an All-Region qualifier in cross country and earned many other accolades during her time as a Wolf. 

Rufener’s top indoor 5k marked at a 17:24 and her best mile finishing with a 4:57. 

Right around the corner, Rufener is given the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympic Trials on Feb. 29 to try and take her place on the USA Team to compete in Tokyo, Japan. An opportunity  like that doesn’t happen all the time, and will be a great experience to add to the resume. 

Currently, Rufener is helping coach for the Western Washington track and field and cross country programs, while also training herself for the big day.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Overthrown in Alaska

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

During the week before finals, Dec. 5 and 7, Western’s Women’s Basketball team had a long journey up to face two Alaska teams, their first games to start the GNAC conference.

The first game the Wolves were tested, as they played the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Nanooks. The Wolves held control for most of the game, maintaining the first three quarters — but fell during the final quarter to give way to a 14-point streak from the Nanooks, to tie up the game, and go into overtime. 

Overtime proved to be in favor of the Nanooks, who took the lead and countered on every mistake made by the Wolves. The first conference game came to an end, and the Nanooks took home the dub with 81 points over the Wolves’ 76.

The Wolves put up a tough fight, but allowed for a lot of mess ups that the Nanooks were able to put towards their winning.

Night two, the Wolves played against the #13 Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, for their second GNAC conference game. The final results proved to be an absolute blowout, with the Seawolves winning 73-41. An unlucky night for the Wolves, losing to their sisters of the sea.

Overall, it was a great weekend for the Wolves, with many learning opportunities and a place they can only go up from. Two standout players in both matches included, Keyonna Jones, a junior guard, and Rachel Rogers, a sophomore guard, both scoring multiple points to help out their fellow Wolves.

The Women’s Basketball team overcame and beat Corban University, a non-conference game, to bring some confidence back into the players — and will travel and face Boise State University Broncos in an exhibition game on Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. The next home game is Jan. 2 versus GNAC opponent, Western Washington University Vikings at 5:15 p.m.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Western’s 52nd annual Holiday Tree Lighting lit up the night

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow  | News Editor

Despite the rainy atmosphere present on December 6, students gathered together for Western’s 52nd annual holiday tree lighting, lining both sides of Monmouth Avenue with anticipation. Some stood with hands wrapped around the free drinks offered by Student Engagement, huddling with fellow students to escape the cold while waiting for the parade to start. 

Beginning at 6 p.m., the parade was led by Western’s American Sign Language Club, later followed by the sirens of the Monmouth Police Department not to be outdone by Western’s own marching band. During the procession, both the Director and Associate Director of Student Engagement, Patrick Moser and Megan Habermann, respectively, opted to tell holiday-themed jokes before the crowning moment of the parade — Santa’s arrival. 

Afterwards, Western’s president, Rex Fuller, addressed the crowd, calling for students to “treat each other and ourselves with care and compassion” during this season of giving. Then, he invited everyone to participate in the countdown whereupon, finally, the famous giant sequoia that sits next to Todd Hall — which, prior to the event, had been strung up with lights — was lit, indicating that the parade celebrations were over, but the holiday season was only beginning. 

Students looking for further celebrations congregated at the Gentle House for snacks and wine, while others headed into the Werner University Center to meet with Santa and get into the holiday spirit. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Through student demand, new support groups have developed

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow  | News Editor

Though many are still in the process of being formulated, students seeking community on campus now have the ability to participate in one of Western’s various new support groups. The support groups were created based on student initiative and are run by fellow students with a faculty supervisor — usually a professional from the Student Health and Counseling Center. The following are just a few examples of what is currently being offered.

 

The Building Resilience in College Workshop Series:

 

This 10-week workshop series beginning in winter term is open to all students and does not require consistent attendance. It focuses on building life skills while balancing all of the responsibilities required as a college student. Each week focuses around a specific topic ranging from how to be a critical thinker to maintaining healthy friendships and relationships. In addition to this workshop, there will be a separate four-week course on healthy relationships during winter term, run by Megan Miller, a mental health counselor at Western who hopes to “increase student’s communication in relationships and allow a deeper understanding of what they wish to gain in a relationship … through personal reflection, discussion and group activities.” Dates and times for both events are to be determined.

 

The Men of Color Support Group:

 

Run by Miguel Gonzales, a mental health counselor at the SHCC, the Men of Color Support Group was created with the intention to “discuss cultural barriers, successes, discrimation, empowerment, acculturation, and … other topics that group members are interested in discussing,” said Gonzales. It is designed for men of color to receive peer support while being able to discuss both personal experiences and overarching issues. The winter term meeting time is to be determined, so students interested in joining can look for a future email from Gonzales.

 

The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Support Group:

 

Focusing on “psychoeducation surrounding autism, shared and common experiences people with autism face as well as skill building and coping skills to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors,” as reported by mental health counselor, Katie Endersby, the ASD Support Group is open to all — no diagnosis required. Any student interested in learning about the autism spectrum can join, but meeting times are currently to be determined. 

 

It is particularly important to note that groups may not run all year. To find groups operating during the current term, visit the Student Health and Counseling webpage. Additionally, some groups require an intake appointment with a counselor through the Student Health and Counseling Center before approval. However, there are many groups that do not have this prerequisite and any student with an idea for creating a group can reach out to the Student Health and Counseling center by calling 503-838-8313.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]

[fruitful_tab title=”Aries 3/21-4/19″] LET ME BE FREE [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Taurus 4/20-5/20″] You may feel like a zombie, everything hanging on by tendrils… but don’t worry — you’re so so so so sooooooooo close. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Gemini 5/21-6/20″] Maybe let your twin take over for finals? The stars wish you good luck. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Cancer 6/21-7/22″] Can I go home yet? [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Leo 7/23-8/22″] This is your call to action. What for? Who knows… but do something I guess… [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Virgo 8/23-9/22″] AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Libra 9/23-10/22″] pippity poppity give me the zoppity [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Scorpio 10/23-11/21″] Some advice while the end of the term nears: try eating honey every other day. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Sagittarius 11/22-12/21″] IT’S SAGITTARIUS SEASON. K bye. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Capricorn 12/22-1/19″] Are you regretting putting off all of those assignments until now? Four days before they’re due? Same. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Aquarius 1/20-2/18″] Hold onto your last brain cell, Aquarius. You only need it for one more week. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Pisces 2/19-3/20″] It’s cold af outside but not snowing. How am I supposed to get away with skipping class everyday this week without snow? [/fruitful_tab]

[/fruitful_tabs]

Opinion: Why “The Mandalorian” could save “Star Wars”

Sean Martinez  | Copy Editor

So, I’m a huge “Star Wars” fan — and yes, I will even defend the infamous prequel and sequel trilogy — but I can still empathize with the people who are bothered by them. And after Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi” essentially rendered the fanbase divided, it seems as if most people have hopped off the Star Wars bandwagon and climbed aboard the Marvel Cinematic Universe express.

However, Disney+, the new streaming service for all things Disney, has just provided “Star Wars” fans with an original series that just might restore fans’ faith in the franchise: “The Mandalorian.”

Rest assured, there will be no major spoilers for “The Mandalorian.” 

The show takes place inbetween episodes six and seven, and follows a bounty hunter — the same race as Boba Fett — as he attempts to retrieve an incredibly valuable bounty. But he becomes a wanted man as every bounty hunter is after the same prize. What’s interesting about the Mandalorian is that he has a reputation to fulfill, but he also has a complicated and complex moral code. 

Now, we’ve only seen the first three episodes of “The Mandalorian,” but each episode keeps us pondering over what will happen next. One of the great things about this show is that it cleverly alludes to the main “Star Wars” films, without overdoing it. 

Just one of the many problems I have with the new trilogy is that it tries too hard to call back to the originals. When they force (no pun intended) connections from the original trilogy into the sequels, it makes the universe smaller than it can be. For instance, Rey’s parents don’t have to be characters we’ve already met. 

But in “The Mandalorian,” the references are subtle and don’t overstay their welcome. They appear on-screen for a few seconds before the attention shifts back to the actual story. 

One of the biggest mysteries in the franchise is actually essential to the story. It remains a constant plot point that drives the series. So, not only does this show allude to previous films, it also expands the universe. 

The other relieving aspect of the Disney+ series is the absence of “Disney-forced comedy.” It’s very apparent that the newer films have a significant amount of jokes and one-liners. It feels very Disney, if that makes sense. Watching “The Mandalorian,” however, does not feel like Disney material; there aren’t a lot of cheesy jokes throughout the series — and that’s a good thing. It genuinely feels like the director, Jon Favreau, takes the matter seriously. 

So if you haven’t yet seen or refused to watch “The Mandalorian,” I implore you to give it a chance. The “Star Wars” franchise can be so much more than just adding onto the Skywalker saga; there’s so many other characters to explore, places to see and stories to tell. There’s so much of this universe we haven’t even uncovered yet. This show can be the turning point in the future of “Star Wars” media. And hopefully, the passionate “Star Wars” fans will be given ‘a new hope’ before they watch the last installment of the current-day trilogy, “The Rise of Skywalker.”

 

Contact the author at smartinez17@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Starwars.com

How to become ‘too blessed to be stressed’ during finals week

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Finals are fast approaching, and with finals usually comes stress for most students. For many classes, the final project or exam can be a deciding factor for grades, so here’s some helpful tips to keep the stress down during prep and finals week.

 

  • Try drinking a warm beverage of some sort — such as tea, hot chocolate, cider or coffee — if an energy boost is needed, especially. For some, a warm beverage can really relax both the body and mind, and could be largely helpful during study breaks.
  • Continuing from the previous point, be sure to take breaks while studying. While it’s nice to finish homework all at once in the span of four hours, study breaks should be taken every hour or so. Smaller breaks — 10 to 15 minutes — should be taken every hour, or about a 30 minute break every two hours. It gives the mind a chance to rest without overloading it with information.
  • Take naps during the day to fully rest the mind as well as the body. After a nap, students can be left feeling refreshed and ready to take on more studying.
  • Additionally, yoga and meditation are the perfect chance for relaxation; yoga is a good way to get in some exercise as well. Even just taking the time to take some deep breaths can help someone calm down and ease the stress they could be feeling.
  • Try going for a walk — or jog or run, whichever works best for each individual person. By getting outside, it can help clear a student’s head if studying becomes overwhelming. The fresh air can feel nice and revitalizing during a study break.
  • If baking is relaxing, try baking brownies; the prepping process can busy the mind so it isn’t focused on schoolwork for a short amount of time, and a sweet treat will be waiting after all the studying is done. Try adding in something to make the brownies special as well, such as chunks of peppermint.
  • If frustrations need to be taken out physically, go to the dollar store and buy some cheap plates. Cover a wall with a tarp and chuck them at the wall and floor. The tarp will make for an easy cleanup, and the shards from the destroyed plates can be used for an art project, like a mosaic.
  • Take a hot bath with bubbles, a bath bomb or bath salts — or all three if desired. A hot shower or a foot soak with epsom salts both work as alternatives.
  • Take a moment to write something; venting stresses from the past days, weeks or months by writing them down can help relax those tense shoulders. If jotting down stressful happenings doesn’t help, try writing a short story or designing a character.
  • Blast loud music and sing to distract the mind from all the chaos swirling around. Do it in the house, or take a drive with the windows down and stereo turned all the way up.
  • Simply watching TV serves as a good break from schoolwork. Find a TV show on some streaming service — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. — and just let autoplay do the rest.
  • Find a Humane Society that’s nearby or within driving distance and pet dogs. The pets will have a fun time and the body won’t feel so tense.
  • Finally, going in hand with study breaks, find time to partake in hobbies — like painting, reading, drawing, knitting or baking. Students may lessen their stress levels by setting time aside for themselves instead of constantly worrying about exams and finals.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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