Mount Hood

Mother’s Day at Western: Showing appreciation for moms who are students

Caity Healy | Editor in Chief

Mother’s Day: A time to celebrate the maternal figures in our lives who have helped us reach the point we are at now. Whoever that person is for you, an important date is coming up. Falling on May 12 this year, this holiday gives us an opportunity to thank mothers for all that they do.                                                                                                                                         

It’s no secret that being a mother is a difficult thing to be. Add student to the job title, and the position just became all-the-more demanding — and all-the-more rewarding. Three mothers shared what it’s like to be both a student and a mom, and discussed some of the obstacles they’ve overcome and experienced to reach the point that they’re at now.

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Demeter Finch

Demeter graduated high school in 2001. Since then, she’s been trying to get her bachelor’s degree, going to school off and on for 18 years. For the past six years, she’s been married. About four years in to her marriage, the two took notice of something.

“We started asking … ‘Why do we have no babies yet?’ And we were told … I couldn’t have kids,” said Demeter.

So, she continued pushing forward with school. However, about one year ago, she received news she didn’t think she ever would: “I found out I was 16 weeks pregnant,” said Demeter.

“The same week I found out I was in the Interpreting Program, and the same week I got accepted to Seabeck, I found out I was pregnant.”

When speaking with Demeter, the amount of love she felt for her daughter, Persephone, was obvious.

“She still doesn’t sleep through the night. She’s a mommy’s-girl,” said Demeter. “She’s very opinionated — she’s just my mini-me.”

Being both a mother and a student, Demeter has faced some obstacles as she attempts to finish out her final year at Western.

“For all of her firsts, I don’t necessarily want to miss those but I know I have to keep coming to school and finish what I started for her,” said Demeter. “So definitely, as a mom, the guilt of leaving her at home … sometimes it’s not always easy. Especially with the added idea that I didn’t think I would ever have her … she’s super special so I need to be there.”

But despite all of the struggles she faces, the thing that helps her pull through is her perseverance.

“I think that people think ‘oh it’s not possible’ — but it is possible. You just have to pick and choose what your priorities are,” said Demeter. “If you have something that you want to do, just hold on to it. You can get it no matter what, just keep pushing.”

Photo courtesy of Liz McClellan

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Arianna Stone

Arianna’s story began by her moving to Australia after graduating high school in 2008 to work, save money, and practice her photography. When she moved back to the US in 2011, she became a full-time photographer. After difficulties keeping her photography business alive with Patrick, her then business-partner, now husband, the two began facing even more obstacles.

In 2013, the home they were renting burned down. From there they’d couch hop, until they moved in with parents to save money. In 2014, they got married, bought their first home, and Arianna became pregnant with their first child, Eleanor. When she was born, Arianna became a stay-at-home mom.

Soon, Arianna and Patrick realized they weren’t making enough to save for important life events. Due to that, paired with several other reasons, they decided to go back to school. Arianna attended Chemeketa Community College where she earned her associate degree and had her second child, Henry, in 2018. Now, she is in her junior year at Western.

With her and her husband both attending school, there are certainly some challenges.

“Scheduling is so much harder when you have little people to take care of,” said Arianna. “I can’t just take whatever classes I want to take, whenever I want to take them.” On top of that, she added that getting care for her two children can be very expensive — so much so, that she had to pick up a full-time job while being a full-time student to pay for it.

Struggles aside, there are several reasons that Arianna feels that her experience is rewarding, as well.

“My daughter got to be at my community college graduation … and that made me so proud,” she said. “My daughter will see me do this, and know that nothing is impossible for her.”

Arianna made it clear just how important her children are to her.

“We all have our reasons for attending college, and my kids are a big part of mine,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Arianna Stone

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Liz McClellan

In 1991, Liz graduated high school and began her college education at Chemeketa Community College, planning to go into teaching. After a couple of years, she left, started working, then came back — this time at Portland Community College, where she got a degree in dental hygiene.

For 21 years, she worked as a dental hygienist. During these years, she had her daughter, Annika, and her son, Liam. But, eventually, she was ready to go back to school to continue her education in teaching, taking one year online at Oregon State University, and the rest at Western Oregon.

As a single mother, an obstacle she faced was trying to figure out how to support herself to go back to school. But luckily, she has a huge support system. So much so, that she keeps a list of all of the people who have been a support to her over the years.

“I have a little notebook, and anytime I get help from someone or even a kind word — and my kids are on that list, too … as well as their dad, and step-mom — they go on the list, and the list is very long,” said Liz. “It’s not a solo journey.”

Having the support of her children was incredibly important to Liz. When she was transitioning back into being a student, her whole family sat down to figure it out. The response she got from Annika and Liam made the transition easier.

“I got their support to do this, so that really helped. But it’s hard to miss things,” said Liz. Her decision was not only supported by her children and family, but also by other moms.

“A lot of moms who had had children were like, ‘You should just go for it, and don’t worry about what anyone says.’ And I just got some really good encouragement from other women. So that’s what I want to do,” said Liz. “Go for it, you can do it.”

Photo by Caity Healy

 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Fanny packs: utility you can make stylish

Cora McClain | Copy Editor

Fanny packs — they’re not just for great Aunt Martha, they can be for you too. Just look around campus and I’m sure you’ll see these trendy packs popping up on the waists of students. As a huge advocator for fanny packs, it appals me to see people hating on what is obviously the most ingenious invention humanity ever stumbled upon.

Keeping your hands free and back or shoulder painless, this waist-slinging pack allows you to do more while still holding all of your important items. And there’s another thing, with a limited amount of space — though some can be quite spacious with many pockets — you only take the necessities with you wherever you go and are not bogged down by unnecessary things.

However, some people feel adversed to these glorious little hip pouches due to their cringe-factor. But guess what; like all trends, the fanny pack trend is coming back around.

Celebrities are highlighting just how viable these little utility packs are. “The Cut” attributes the explosion of fanny pack fashion to Kendall Jenner and her vast collection of fanny packs.

Whether on the street like Rihanna, or on the red carpet like Jimmy Kimmel, a fanny pack can enhance any outfit. Have a nice black dress? Pair it with a sleek black fanny pack. Want something a little more out there? Try out a clear or iridescent snake skin pack. You can even wear them over your shoulder or across your torso to up the trend factor! The options are endless and relatively cheap if you order on Amazon. If you’re wanting to go a little more fancy, can even get designer fanny packs from Louis Vuitton or Prada.

Give these trendy little packs a try, and you might just become a fanny pack fannatic too.

 

Contact the author at howlcopyeditor@wou.edu

Photos by Paul F. Davis & Ashlynn Norton

Campus voices: LACC edition

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

“I really like intro to fiction ‘cause there’s a lot of really good discussion. Also, even though I’m usually not a science person, I really liked Earth Science.”

-Rowan Hammer, sophomore economics and criminal justice major

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“Theater with Ted Dechatelet.”

-Casey Brown, junior business major

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“Jazz history if you like music.”

-Mateo Batista, sophomore biology and chemistry major

 

“Choir is a lot of fun … I love choir and it’s a one credit class you can take multiple times. Or Philosophy with Perlman…or Earth Science with Dr. Wade.”

-Conner Price, senior political science major

 

Photos by Rebecca Meyers

The Coming Out Monologues return to Western

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

On April 30, 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out on her sitcom, “Ellen.” In an episode titled “The Puppy Episode” when she tells her therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey, that she is attracted to women, making “Ellen” the first sitcom to feature a gay main character.

In honor of this landmark, Western’s SafeZone program puts on a biannual performance titled “The Coming Out Monologues.” The Monologues are performed on or around SafeZone’s birthday, April 30.

On April 30, 2000 was the Millennium March on Washington for LGBTQ Equality. That’s why we picked that date for the SafeZone birthday,” said coordinator CM Hall. Hall, with the help of Ted deChatelet, manages the show every two years.

The SafeZone program started at Western in 2006, and according to their website, “seeks to form an allying network of students, faculty and staff committed and trained to provide safe, non-judgmental and supportive contacts for all WOU community members regarding LGBTQ+ issues.” This program provides the campus with community events and Ally trainings. SafeZone partners with Abby’s House, Stonewall Center and Triangle Alliance to produce the Monologues.

“I was a queer student during a very different time at Western. The early/mid-90’s — when the faculty, admin, staff, and students were silent or hostile and there just weren’t many of us, or any out faculty or staff to gain support from,” commented Hall. Since Hall returned to Western as a staff member in 2006, she has been working to change Western’s community for the better.

“Western feels entirely different. It’s become such an affirming and supportive place for folks who have different sexual and gender identities … It further validates and normalizes our lived experiences,” Hall said.

The Coming Out Monologues are stories authored and performed by Western students, staff and faculty. The stories are funny, serious and often heartbreaking.

“They are a representation of the diverse and unique experiences of people who identify within the LGBTQ+ community and/or as straight allies,” described Hall.

This year’s performance included six student performers: Aeron Esch, Hannah Bachelor, Hannah Hardcastle, Maria Bercerra, Max Groshong and Tyler Martin. Staff members performed as well: Annika Joy Barnett, Chrys Burcham, Rebecca Chiles and Chad A. Ludwig.

The first show took place in 2015, then was performed again in 2017. The turnout is always substantial, and it’s commonplace to need extra chairs on standby.

“The most fulfilling part for me is audience response and reaction. How folks really connect and resonate with someone’s story — even if that audience member isn’t LGBTQ,” said Hall, “there’s an electricity and bond in the room as we watch folks share their stories. Their truths. We all feel let in on someone’s journey and it’s a really special and sacred experience.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo by Ashlynn Norton

Musical guest, Deac Guidi, and staff serenade Smith Hall

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

On April 30, 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out on her sitcom, “Ellen.” In an episode titled “The Puppy Episode” when she tells her therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey, that she is attracted to women, making “Ellen” the first sitcom to feature a gay main character.

In honor of this landmark, Western’s SafeZone program puts on a biannual performance titled “The Coming Out Monologues.” The Monologues are performed on or around SafeZone’s birthday, April 30.

On April 30, 2000 was the Millennium March on Washington for LGBTQ Equality. That’s why we picked that date for the SafeZone birthday,” said coordinator CM Hall. Hall, with the help of Ted deChatelet, manages the show every two years.

The SafeZone program started at Western in 2006, and according to their website, “seeks to form an allying network of students, faculty and staff committed and trained to provide safe, non-judgmental and supportive contacts for all WOU community members regarding LGBTQ+ issues.” This program provides the campus with community events and Ally trainings. SafeZone partners with Abby’s House, Stonewall Center and Triangle Alliance to produce the Monologues.

“I was a queer student during a very different time at Western. The early/mid-90’s — when the faculty, admin, staff, and students were silent or hostile and there just weren’t many of us, or any out faculty or staff to gain support from,” commented Hall. Since Hall returned to Western as a staff member in 2006, she has been working to change Western’s community for the better.

“Western feels entirely different. It’s become such an affirming and supportive place for folks who have different sexual and gender identities … It further validates and normalizes our lived experiences,” Hall said.

The Coming Out Monologues are stories authored and performed by Western students, staff and faculty. The stories are funny, serious and often heartbreaking.

“They are a representation of the diverse and unique experiences of people who identify within the LGBTQ+ community and/or as straight allies,” described Hall.

This year’s performance included six student performers: Aeron Esch, Hannah Bachelor, Hannah Hardcastle, Maria Bercerra, Max Groshong and Tyler Martin. Staff members performed as well: Annika Joy Barnett, Chrys Burcham, Rebecca Chiles and Chad A. Ludwig.

The first show took place in 2015, then was performed again in 2017. The turnout is always substantial, and it’s commonplace to need extra chairs on standby.

“The most fulfilling part for me is audience response and reaction. How folks really connect and resonate with someone’s story — even if that audience member isn’t LGBTQ,” said Hall, “there’s an electricity and bond in the room as we watch folks share their stories. Their truths. We all feel let in on someone’s journey and it’s a really special and sacred experience.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo by Ashlynn Norton

Review: “Endgame” is a fan service film

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Even as someone who got into “The Avengers” franchise relatively late and has yet to watch all of the movies, I was super impressed by “Infinity War.” Naturally, then, I was very excited as the “Endgame” release date got closer and closer. I researched theories online, and even created a few of my own in anticipation of the film. By the end of premier night, though, I found that I had lost all my previous enthusiasm. In fact, I was fairly disappointed.

It seemed as though all the wonderful suspense built up in “Infinity War” crashed and burned within the first half-hour of the newest film. From the beginning, every “plot twist” seemed like the most convenient one to explain why the story progressed the way it did. All of a sudden, Thanos had morals. Scott Lang shoots out of a van and has the answer to the biggest plotline Marvel has been building up to in the past 10-or-so years. And Thor is fat now.

It’s not that the movie itself lacks intricacies, it doesn’t. The intricacies are just predictable. Time travel has been a theme repeated in multiple movies less successful than the Marvel cinematic universe. Although “Endgame” tackled time travel in a comprehensive way, and it was something that a fair amount of people anticipated, the way this movie arrived as time travel as a solution seemed a little rushed and I was left wondering why no one had thought of it earlier. This feeling intensified after Tony found the “secret” of time travel within 20 seconds of trying even though it was mentioned earlier in the film to be nearly impossible.

Another disappointment was how the most powerful avenger factored into the storyline. The “Captain Marvel” movie was released so soon before “Endgame” that I was sure that she would have a prominent role in this film as well. Captain Marvel got very little screen-time, and was only used as a last-ditch, “oh yeah, there she is” plot device.

Overall, “Endgame” wasn’t a completely terrible movie. The fight scenes were done well and creative, per usual. Also, I love the Hulk so I wasn’t too sad about the amount of screentime he received. But for a three hour movie, it felt fairly empty plot-wise and most of the big events were predictable, especially in the last big fight scene.

 

Overall Rating: “Endgame” is an enjoyable movie, but I found it was more enjoyable if you don’t go in with any kind of expectations.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of marvel.com

Meet your Western Oregon Rugby Pacific Coast All-Stars: Caver and Treat

Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief

It began on April 13, as four Men’s Rugby players took to the pitch after being invited to try out for the Pacific Coast All-Star team: Joey Caver, Matt Cornish, Kai Segundo and Trever Kahunahana. After Caver had been pulled aside and asked to join the team on the spot, the three others patiently awaited to hear whether or not they had performed at the level the coaches were wanting. May 1 was the day they’d hear the news, but before they could, another player was met with a surprise.

On April 29, senior Alex Treat was asked if he wanted to join the All-Star team. He wasn’t one of the original four invited to try out, so when he was contacted, he didn’t exactly see it coming.

“From what I gathered, they were watching film on some of the other guys, and while they were watching film they saw me playing … and then they decided they wanted me on the team,” said Treat. “I got a text from the head coach, and basically he said ‘hey we want you on our team. We want you to come play with us in Houston.”

Upon receiving the news that he was now an All-Star, he couldn’t help but feel eager.

“I was incredibly excited. I felt very honored to be selected and to go and perform,” said Treat. “I kind of thought my season was done, but I’m glad it’s not.”

On May 1, after weeks of waiting, the names of who would be on the team were released — out of the four Wolves who tried out, Caver was the single name presented to represent Western, with Treat added on, as well. Now, they’re preparing for what’s to come.

“I am running and working out, doing drills, practicing some skills stuff — just trying any way I can to be in the best shape possible to perform,” said Treat.

On May 11, Caver and Treat will be flying out to San Diego for a rugby camp. There, they’ll get to know their new teammates and learn how they play, as well as how their coach wants the team structured.

“I’m nervous, but I’m more excited than nervous. I’ve been training for this since I started playing rugby, and I’m just happy for the opportunity to go out and play … I couldn’t have gotten here without my teammates,” said Treat.

Catch the two in action on May 23, as they’re heading to Houston, Texas for the All-Star tournament.

 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy