The Western Howl – Page 20 – The Western Howl

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

FRUIT PIZZA

From start to finish: 1 hour

Yields: 13.5” x 18.5” sheet pan

2 1/2 Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough

16 oz Cream cheese

1-2 cup Sugar
½ teaspoon Vanilla (optional)

½ cup Fruit jam/jelly (optional)

3-5 cups Assorted fruit of choice

This recipe may easily be altered to fit different preferred portions by eyeballing ingredients and tweaking instructions to best suit the baker’s needs.

Take Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough and flatten into an oven-safe pan or container until covering the desired area without being too thin or thick. Cook in the oven at 350 degrees until the edges are golden or for 15-20 minutes. Take out and cool.

In one large bowl, add cream cheese while the dough cooks. Additional cream cheese may be added if needed. Optionally, add vanilla to the bowl. Add sugar to taste until cream cheese is on the sweet side and use a mixer on “WHIP” setting until cream cheese is fluffy (Note: cream cheese may be drippy if cream cheese is of the Whipped variety, but will not affect tastiness of the recipe).

Slice fruit of choice into small bite-sized pieces. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or other small fruits do not need to be sliced. If fruit is ripe and tends to brown quickly, swash lightly in lemon juice, reducing browning over time.

Once dough is cool, smear the sweet cream cheese mixture on top of dough, covering the whole surface except the crust. Cream cheese may be of any thickness on top. Add mixed fruit into dish, gently wiggling fruit into cream cheese mixture. If desired, jelly or jam may be drizzled on top or added on top of cream cheese mixture before the fruit.

Cool dish in the refrigerator until no longer warm. Serve up at a family picnic or have after dinner — this versatile dessert is a delectable spring snack.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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This week in totally made up horoscopes

The Signs as cartoon characters

Aries: stewie griffin

Taurus: kenny mccormick

Gemini: the street rat known as Aladdin

Cancer: Edd aka double D

Leo: Simba

Virgo: mordecai regular show

Libra: porky pig

Scorpio: arnold perlstein (look it up)

Sagittarius: bojack horseman

Capricorn: Dipper Pines because we’re so neurotic

Aquarius: oswald the octopus

Pisces: silvermist

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Staffs favorite movies

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

“The Western Howl” staff is filled with crazy cool personalities, a variety of talents and a plethora of different hobbies and passions. One thing is for sure: we are all movie fanatics and live vicariously through the characters we love. Here are the staff’s favorite movies and why we continue to enjoy them.

Editor in Chief, Gretchen Sims, expresses her love for the movie “Braveheart.” Sims says, “I actually learned how to play the main theme ‘For the Love of a Princess’ from Braveheart early on in high school. I fell in love with the score and convinced my parents to let me watch it. My mom isn’t one for gore, but I loved the film and it is now one of my all-time favorites!”

Linden Loren, coordinator, advising & virtual engagement, dubbed the “dad” of the Howl, recommends “LinkedIn: The Movie.” All one needs is a LinkedIn account and some salt to snack on — truly inspiring.

The Howl’s Digital Media Manager, Ruth Simonsen’s, favorite movie is “Predestination,” a sci-fi thriller released in 2014. Simonsen says, “This movie made me rethink my life and everything I believed in. It brought to light how frail yet beautiful humanity is, and how one truly needs to make the most of it while one has it. Trust oneself and always grow, but give oneself the grace to recognize that one is a completely different person in every phase of your life, never to be the same person twice.”

Cami Ansley, Copy Editor, deems “Crazy Rich Asians” as her favorite movie. Ansley says, “This movie was really relatable to me as an Asian American and the ending was so perfect and satisfying to watch. It was also nice to see an all Asian cast with actors and actresses that I’d never seen before.”

Head Designer Addie Floyd’s favorite movie is “Tangled,” based on the timeless story of Rapunzel and her long hair. Floyd expressed, “This movie is my comfort movie. It just brings me so much joy. No matter the mood I’m in, Tangled can always cheer me up.”

Our other amazing Designer, Sophie Taylor, says her movie favorite is “Coraline,” released in 2009. Taylor says, “Coraline” is one of the earliest movies I ever remember watching. Ever since I was little, the claymation animation style has always captured my attention. There are so many subtle hints and clues that foreshadow the movie that every time I watch it, I find something new. There have been so many conspiracy theories and rabbit holes to go down. Keep Portland weird.”

Photo Editor Quinlan Elise has a short and sweet response on why she loves “Napoleon Dynamite:” “there is no other choice.”

Hannah Field, the Howl’s News Editor’s favorite movie is “Fox and The Hound.” Field recalls some of her favorite memories with the film, “I can remember watching this movie on VHS tape in the garage while my dad worked on his cars. I would sit on a stool or a tiny chair with my neck craned upward at a 120 degree angle looking at that tiny box TV playing my favorite movie. I think it’s an underrated but beautiful piece of work and hope everyone has the pleasure of watching it one day.”

Claire Phillips, our Entertainment Editor’s movie of choice is “Fried Green Tomatoes,” released in 1991. Phillips says, “This historical classic takes on many heavy topics that are still relevant today. It will make one cry, it will make one laugh and above all, it will make one crave some good Southern food.”

Sports Editor, Jaylin Hardin, says her favorite movie is “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Hardin expressed, “I’ve loved the trilogy since I was a kid, but ‘The Two Towers’ was always my favorite because I love the plot. Extended edition just makes it so much better because it adds so many more details from the books.”

Creative Lifestyle Editor, Liberty Miller expresses her love for “The Sorcerers Apprentice,” released in 2010. Miller says, “This movie was one of the more psychologically formative movies of my younger years. Nicholas Cage and Jay Baruchel create a seamless duo performance and take on their roles to the point where they become their character. The storyline was intriguing and the pace of the movie created the perfect elements of suspense — the soundtrack was also incredible, with ‘Secrets’ by OneRepublic still being one of my all-time favorite songs. My favorite scene from the movie included that song being played while the Tesla Coils are run by David Stutler.” Miller also gives a special shout-out to “Crazy Rich Asians” as a close second.

Taylor Duff, one of our great Staff Writers, chose the movie “SuperBad,” released in 2007, as her movie favorite. Duff said, “I love this comedy that explores growing up and learning to just be oneself. Plus I still crack up every time I watch. Viewer discretion is advised.”

Talented Freelancer Lili Minato expresses her love for “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.” Minato says, “At its release, ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me’ was considered a bad prequel to its beloved predecessor, ‘Twin Peaks.’ Now, it has a cult following of many who enjoy the story of Laura Palmer. It’s a film full of bizarre scenes and a devastating plotline. In true David Lynch fashion, it is weird and wonderful.”

As for myself, my favorite movie is “The Karate Kid,” released in 1984. There are so many reasons why this is my favorite movie but long story short, I love an underdog story. Not to mention the amazing soundtrack.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

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The romantic’s diary

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

“Dinner & Diatribes” — Hoizer

“Gimme All Your Love” — Alabama Shakes

“I Wanna Be Yours” — Arctic Monkeys

“Freakin’ out on the Interstate” — Briston Maroney

“Tennessee Whiskey” — Chris Stapleton

“Out of My League”— Fitz and The Tantrums

“Gooey” — Glass Animals

“Light My Love” — Greta Van Fleet

“Shut up My Moms Calling” — Hotel Ugly

“Broken” — Lovelytheband

“For the First Time” — Mac DeMarco

“Sweater Weather” — The Neighborhood

“July” — Noah Cyrus & Leon Bridges

“Something in the Orange” — Zach Bryan

“Somebody Else” — The 1975

“Shades of Cool” — Lana Del Rey

“Chemical” — Post Malone

“Cranes in the Sky” — Solange

“Right Person, Wrong Time” — MMC

“Deja vu” — Olivia Rodrigo

“Run” — Joji

“The Less I Know The Better” — Tame Impala

“Body Paint” — Arctic Monkeys

“Wait a Minute” — Willow

Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

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Jason Slowey on NFL and Western

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

In a recent interview with Jason Slowey, the Howl Sports Network delves into his experience of being one of three Western players in history to be drafted into the National Football League. The exclusive interview was held on April 24, 2024 — the 12-year anniversary of Slowey’s original NFL prospect interview with KOBI-TV on NBC5. The original news story featured a 23-year-old Slowey in his senior year at Western. Slowey is now 35 years old and, among his other accomplishments, secured a position at Sacramento State University in 2023 as their newly minted rush ends coach.

Slowey’s interview with KOBI-TV walked viewers through a regular day in the Western football program. After a short tour of his house and pre-workout routine, the video pans to the weight room beneath the football stadium and a quick clip of the track.

During the filming of Slowey’s power cleans and single-arm dumbbell bench press, he shared that “It’s hard for a lot of people to start something when they’re not good at it, and that’s why people quit things. They start it and they’re bad, then they’re done — but you can get past that.”

He explained that, at the time, Western didn’t have a sports performance coaching staff, so the program coaches were responsible for lift programs. “Coach Ferguson was our weights coach. We didn’t have Cori Metzgar until my senior year — she’s actually a good friend of mine now — so Coach Ferguson was in charge of the weights programs and what we did in the weight room.”

Slowey was recruited straight out of high school in 2007 and spent his first year in the program as a redshirt, meaning that he had little to no game competition and was measured on his performance in the weight room.

“So, the first day we came into weights, and Coach Ferguson did this challenge with the team where we had to bench press 225, as many reps as we could. I only did three reps. I was the weakest player in the program, but I just took that as an opportunity to get better. Me and a few of my friends would go in when no one else was in there, and we would teach ourselves how to lift in our off-time. I wasn’t the strongest or best player coming in from high school, so I just dedicated myself to becoming better in the weight room and on the field.”

Eventually, Slowey would become one of the strongest prospective blockers in the NFL. In an article written by Sports Illustrated reporter Tony Pauline, he described Slowey as “…one of the nastiest blockers in the draft.” Slowey attributes that to his lengthy time in the weight room and dedication to gaining weight and muscle, thinking back to the time when he could bench press 225 only three times before failure.

Slowey was in his senior year at Western when Coach Ferguson pulled him aside and told him he was being considered as an NFL prospect. “We had a bunch of recruiters and teams coming to practice, coming to lift, seeing how I was with the guys and how much weight I moved during my workouts.” Following a successful 2011 season, the following year’s NFL draft was held on April 26-28, 2012.

“I was in my home here at Western, and I had about twenty people at my house for the three days it was being aired. My friends and family were excited, but I was trying to play it cool. By the time we got to the last day, I started getting nervous with the possibility of not getting chosen. On the third day, I got a call from my agent, and they told me I was going to be a sixth-round pick. That’s when I got selected by the 49ers,” said Slowey.

Slowey played with both the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders during his time in the NFL, then he went on to play for the BC Lions, in the Canadian Football League and spent some time playing arena football for the Portland Thunder. Due to Slowey’s lengthy struggle with a back injury, he retired from the sport in 2014.

Slowey stated, “I was dealing with my back injury for a long time, and I ended up retiring. But I’m just like every other athlete that’s had to deal with an injury that caused them to stop playing because I still wanted to be involved in the game somehow, I wanted football to still be in my life. I came back to Western and I asked about a coaching position with the football team, but there wasn’t one at the time, so I took up a job with track and field. I was able to work with both sports at the same time and just worked my way into eventually coaching football.”

Slowey worked at Western until 2022 and was offered a position at Sacramento State University as the rush-ends coach.

“It was a bit weird, the transition from playing offense my whole life to coaching defense. I was an offensive lineman and a center all my career, so to come in and coach defense was interesting for sure, but I’m having a good time. It’s been a journey and I’m grateful for everyone that’s been along for the ride.”

Slowey had some words of advice to players in the Western football program, having come out of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference — GNAC — himself and securing his place as one of three players to represent the Western football program on a national level.

“Trust the coaches, trust your teammates and trust the program. It sounds like a bunch of coaches’ lingo, but it’s true. Trust the process that’s been set in front of you, and put in the work to get to where you want to be.”

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Travel through the stars

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

Astrology isn’t just a TikTok joke; it is a complex understanding of how we fit into the universe. Astrology involves evaluating the impact of stars and planets on terrestrial events and human destiny.

Astronomy, the study of all extraterrestrial bodies and their properties, can be seen throughout history. However, it should not be misconstrued with astrology, which can be understood instead as Divination — using the stars to determine the underlying significance of events and forecast the future.

Divination exists in many ancient and contemporary communities, though methods differ. Popular divination methods include horoscopes, palm reading and tarot cards. Astrology originated in Mesopotamia and shifted to India in the third millennium BC, but it took on its Western form in Greek civilization during the Hellenistic period.

Astrology is often considered a private spiritual practice, separate from any particular religion.

Astrology was central in the cultures of Mesopotamian civilizations and ancient Egyptians. Because the heavens were regarded as sacred, priests were able to predict natural and political events — requiring rulers to act according to their predictions and contributing to the creation of a rich library of astral symbols, signs and images representing and safeguarding such traditions. The Greeks later used astrology to understand personal destiny, avoid negative events and predict fortunate times.

Zodiac signs are divided into four elements: fire, earth, air and water. The star positions at birth determine each person’s signs depending on where, when and what time that person came into the world. All 12 zodiac signs correlate with the 12 months of the year — beginning with Aries and ending with Pisces.

The three fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius; the three earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn; the three air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius; and the last element, water, houses the signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

To be more complex, everyone has various additional zodiac signs that make up their personality traits. People usually refer to their “big three:” your sun is your date of birth, your moon is the position in which the moon was when you were born and lastly, your rising sign, is determined by the time of day you were born.

Astrology is a practice, so many look to horoscopes, tarot cards or astrologers for advice or understanding. Horoscopes are a map of signs in a chart — also referred to as an astrological chart. This chart moves just as we do every day around the earth, and our zodiac signs are correlated with different planets. Because of this, depending on where our signs are positioned, a horoscope can help determine predictions in our personal lives. Horoscopes are never concrete but can give bits of insight that can be helpful tools in our day to day.

Tarot cards are a tool that helps us understand our past, present and future feelings. In many ways, using tarot cards is a form of spiritual practice; there are many different tarot decks on the market and many amazing books that help individuals learn how to use them.

TikTok, among other places, has become a popular space for tarot card readings, where content creators pull cards and express their interpretation of the cards drawn. Astrologers, not to be confused with astronomers, are people who have studied astrology and use it to help predict people’s characteristics, life experiences and futures.

Zodiac signs and relationship compatibility can be a controversial subject as many claim those who use astrology are simply bashing signs that have not worked in relationships for them. Signs such as Aries and Cancer “aren’t a good match,” but many Aries and Cancer relationships have come to fruition and have lasted many years. Just because a sign isn’t compatible with another doesn’t mean that relationship won’t work out. Signs are unique, and Astrology guides us in how different traits and compatibility work, but it isn’t the end all be all.

There is also the case when people disagree with astrology and say it is “fake,” but I think Astrology is not trying to be anything. Many individuals don’t like astrology as it isn’t a proven scientific fact that the stars determine our lives. This is valid, but I think it is something that we can look to for guidance, and there’s no harm in simply believing it.

People have a choice to either make astrology their own or dismiss it, but it should be completely their choice. People are made up of many different traits and experiences that affect our worldview; I feel that astrology helps us understand personality, core values, romantic compatibility with others and even what you may look like.

People like astrology because it gives some understanding of our place in the universe. Many practices and followings have people who choose to be a part of them for a variety of reasons, and Astrology is no different. Overall, astrology is interesting and brings people together in such a special way.

Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

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Easy workouts for the gym or at home

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

Unsure of where to start at the gym? Looking for a new workout routine? Then look no further. The exercises below can be done by anyone of any fitness level at home or the gym. Organized by which part of the body it works, one is sure to find a new exercise to include in a gym routine.

Legs: exercises that isolate quads, glutes and hamstrings

Bulgarian Split Squats — This isolates the quadricep muscle group. Begin by standing a few feet in front of a bench or raised platform, or if one is at home consider using a couch or chair. Rest one foot behind on the raised surface, with the top of the foot facing down. Lower the body into a lunge, keeping the torso upright, until the front thigh is almost parallel to the ground, ensuring the knee doesn’t go past the toes. Push through the front heel to return to the starting position, and repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs. If at the gym, try holding dumbbells in both hands.

Hamstring Hip Bridges — Lie on the back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift hips off the ground until the body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Hold this position briefly, then lower the hips back to the ground. Continue for the desired number of repetitions. At the gym, try doing this exercise with a medicine ball or weight plate resting on the lower abdomen. For added resistance at home, try adding a band just above the knees to provide tension.

Pistol Squat — This works the glutes and quadriceps. Stand on one leg with the other leg extended in front. Lower the body down by bending the standing leg, keeping the extended leg straight in front as you lower. Lower until the thigh is parallel to the ground and push back up to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs. If at the gym, hold a dumbbell in the hand opposite from the extended leg.

Arms: exercises that isolate triceps, biceps and shoulders

Bicep Curls — This exercise requires equipment. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand or an EZ curl — wavy — barbell, arms straight down by the sides of the body. Keeping upper arms still, bend the elbows to lift the dumbbells or barbell towards the shoulders. Squeeze the biceps at the top of the movement, and slowly lower the dumbbells or bar back to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions. If one doesn’t have equipment, try using soup cans or milk cartons.

Pike Push-Ups — Start in a push-up position with hips raised high, this position is the same as the downward dog yoga pose. Lower the body towards the ground by bending the arms at the elbows. Push back up to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions. This exercise targets the shoulders, chest and triceps.

Tricep Dips — Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with hands gripping the edge, before sliding off the bench, supporting the weight with arms. Lower the body by bending the elbows until the upper arms are parallel to the ground. Push back up to the starting position, straightening the arms. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Core: exercises that isolate the abdominal muscles

Flare-ups — Lie on the back with legs straight and arms extended overhead. Lift legs and upper body off the ground simultaneously, forming a “V” shape with the body, reaching hands towards the toes. Lower legs and upper body back to the starting position, repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Crunchy Frogs — Sit on the floor with legs bent and feet off the ground, arms extended straight in front. At the same time, extend the legs out wide and bring arms back.

Bring legs and arms back to the starting position, hugging knees to chest.

Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Russian Twists — Sit on the floor with knees bent, heels touching the ground and torso leaning back slightly. Lift feet off the ground, balancing on the tailbone, and hold hands together in front of the chest. Twist the torso to one side, bringing hands towards the floor beside the hip before returning to the center and twisting to the other side. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions. When performing this exercise at the gym, hold a medicine ball or dumbbell when twisting.

These exercises can be performed by anyone of any level of physical fitness and modified if they are too simple or too difficult. Whether one is a beginner or well-versed in the gym world, these exercises are sure to be a hit when it comes to building muscle strength.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
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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This week in totally made up horoscopes

Staffs favorite movies

The romantic’s diary

Jason Slowey on NFL and Western

Travel through the stars

Easy workouts for the gym or at home

Tools

Resources