Mount Hood

WOU-underful Food Drive

Written by:Dakota Gange

The holiday season is known for notoriously tough times. The gray skies exacerbate seasonal affective disorders, which can lead to a plethora of life complications. The cold and rainy weather means higher electric bills. 

Western has a multitude of student support services to help combat these difficulties. Through visiting Abby’s House on the first floor of the Werner University Center, students can find resources to aid in housing, food insecurity and basic needs. At the Student Health and Wellness Center, students can find quick and easy access to simple medical care and counseling, including couples counseling.  

A unique benefit Western offers is the Food Pantry, located in the Welcome Center. One does not need to be a student to take advantage of the Food Pantry’s resources. The Food Pantry operates on a nearly no questions asked basis. There is no limit on how much one can take or how often one can visit. The process is completely anonymous, with only two questions to answer at checkout— how many people one is shopping for and whether one is a community member or Western student. 

However, the Food Pantry gets deliveries at the beginning of the month; so if one were to visit earlier this week, they’d find virtually empty shelves. 

In response, Hunter Hall —fourth year math major and ASWOU vice president— took to local businesses and ran a food drive. Ironically, though, the Independence Grocery Outlet was the only local business that agreed to collaborate in the effort by hosting a large container for community members to donate non-perishables. 

Hall did not let the lack of local business support keep him down —he and his small team of volunteers collected enough non-perishables to practically fill a third of his office.

“It’s my job to set into motion events like this; I want to help my people,” said Hall. “It feels good to give back; bringing in all the food to the pantry, it puts into perspective how much we actually got.” 

A pile of vividly colored food boxes and cans await distribution to the Food Pantry shelves, which could be as early as Thursday, making it available to the public after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The drive brought in 496 pounds of food. 

Hall put together a seven page guide that he hopes will be used in the future for annual fall food drives, with plans to run for ASWOU president for the 2023-24 school year. Maintaining open office hours, those desiring to engage with Hall can easily reach him in person or over Zoom. Hall encourages anyone who wants to talk with him to not hesitate to reach out — “My door is always open,” he added.

Hall’s updated office hours can be found posted on the front door of the ASWOU office in the Werner University Center, but are typically Mon from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tue from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Wed 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., and Thu 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

For more information, frequently asked questions, or to volunteer at the Food Pantry, visit their website at https://wou.edu/foodpantry/.

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu



WOU Cross Country Recap

Written by:Nicholas Sarysz

Western’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams toed the line of their home cross-country course for the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference championship meet on Sept. 5. Despite higher hopes, both of the teams finished in fourth place.

Western Washington University won the men’s meet with a score of  31 points —they have not lost to a conference opponent the entire 2022 season.

Western Washington also won the women’s meet with a score of 64 points, having all of their scoring runners finishing within one minute of each other.

The men’s side was led by Hunter Hutton, who finished the 10-kilometer race in 24 minutes and 23 seconds. The other scorers on the men’s team were Bailey Smith, 22nd, Easton Pomrankey, 25th, Logan Parker, 27th, and Miguel Villar, 31st.

Caitlin Heldt, in just her second race of the season, led the women’s team with her third-place finish. Heldt  ran the 6-kilometer race in 21 minutes and 9 seconds. The rest of the scorers on the women’s side were Luz Garcia, 12th, Riley Smith, 13th, Holly Hutton, 29th, and Lindie Larson, 30th.

This was the first full-length cross-country season for the National Collegiate Athletic Association since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about how that has affected the group, Senior Bailey Smith only had good things to say. 

“From the start of the season, the group of guys has been really focused. This season is two weeks longer than last year’s which requires a lot of focus on taking care of ourselves. Coach Holloway has done a great job of keeping us fresh and feeling like we can get ready for both the 8k and 10k.”

Throughout all of the ups and downs of the season, the comradery of the group has remained strong. A key part of this team’s comradery has been transfer sophomore Kolby Spink, who had a lot to say when asked about his transition into being a Western Oregon University athlete.

“Transitioning from my previous institution to WOU has been really great. When I got to Western the guys’ team was very welcoming and supportive of anything that I needed. If I needed help taking my bags to the dorms, everyone would be there willing to help. If I was ever not feeling too good on a workout my teammates would be there to tell me ‘you got this’ and to keep working towards our goals. Our team is like a family, we’re always there to support one another and be there for each other. The coaches here have been really good at helping me get better as an athlete. When I was at my previous institution I kind of struggled with being able to get to my goals and some of the training got to be too much. Here I’m able to trust the coach with the training and I’m able to achieve the goals that I want while pushing myself and not having that be too much. The races have been a lot of fun so far. Our team is so close to each other each time that our 3-7 runners change almost every race. Our team is looking pretty strong as we head into Regionals in Billings Montana. We are hoping to be able to qualify for Nationals. The team has what it takes and we are looking ready to take on the competition. We took 4th in GNAC a couple of weeks ago but we know as a team we can run better and beat some of these teams,” said Spink.

The Wolves look to bounce back this upcoming Saturday, November 19th, as they travel to Billings, Montana for the NCAA Division II West Regionals meet. There, the Wolves will compete against the other 20 teams in the region. The men were ranked 10th in the preseason polls, but have since fallen out of the rankings, whereas the women have never ranked in any of the top spots.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu



Maura Miller is this Months Senior Artist

Written by:Gretchen Sims

Throughout the 2022–23 school year, Western’s art galleries have chosen to honor Western’s senior Art and Design majors by hosting a rotating gallery space in the Werner University Center. 

November’s featured artist is senior Art and Design major, Maura Miller. Miller’s work is influenced by comic culture and pop surrealism as well as Catholic imagery. Miller’s uses several mediums, which typically results in a final product including both digital and traditional media.

Miller is very passionate about art and wants to leave a trail of color in her wake, stating that if she could control how the world operates, every building would be coated in a slew of colors. 

“Though it might be cliche to say, I think that there should be more art in the world because it makes life more intense. A sidewalk is no longer just a sidewalk when it has color, a house is more than just an object when it’s painted with imagery. Art makes us see the world around us in an enhanced way. It allows us to give a second thought to things we might not usually notice.” said Miller.

She continued, “When the redundancy of life gets to be too much, art is there to make us ask questions. It is the most viral form of communication, something that extends past dialect, discomfort and culture. In this way, it amplifies life by creating an understanding between dissimilar people. Through my work, I hope to be able to convey something deeply emotional about myself in a way that others with differing experiences can understand.” 

Miller hopes that her art will bring more color to a dull world and create a deeper understanding between individuals. 

“… my biggest priority through creation is to ensure that my work is impacting my community in a positive way.” 

Miller’s collection — entitled “Hybridization” — includes “Bat,” “Water Serpent,” “CorneaCopia” and “Sacrilege.” Miller’s pieces convey extreme emotions and act as inspiration for many budding artists.

The exhibition is located on the top floor of the WUC on the right of the main entrance past the Wolfstore. 

Contact the artist at howlentertainment@wou.edu



A Review of New Podcast, Circle Time with Kelsey Kreppel

Written by:Mikayla Coleman 

Launched in Aug. 2022, “Circle Time” with Kelsey Kreppel is a laid-back podcast based upon the common child-age classroom experience of sitting in a circle and sharing with peers. 

Known initially for her involvement with her now-fiancé — Youtube personality, Cody Ko — Kreppel has grown a significant audience of her own. 

Kreppel vlogged her day-to-day life on her Youtube channel throughout the initial COVID-19 quarantine, where her audience became aware of her part-time job as a preschool teacher. While Kreppel was unable to meet with her preschool students in person, she was still able to participate in a key part of the preschool classes’ routine of circle time via Zoom. This wholesome and repeated practice was beneficial not only for the students, but also for Kreppel and her audience, as the world navigated a disorienting and fearful time. 

Streaming weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and more, the  “Circle Time” podcast has been a hit in recent months. “Circle Time” operates with a consistent and structured routine of Kreppel discussing her day-to-day experiences, topics in pop culture and weekly journal prompts. The included weekly journal prompts offer a uniqueness that is not often present within the typical podcast setting, offering the viewer something to write about post-show. These prompts vary in seriousness, including hard-hitting questions for personal growth, or simply asking the viewer to rank their top ten favorite foods. 

A section that sets “Circle Time” apart is the advice section in which audience members can send in voicemail messages detailing specific problems or experiences directly to Kreppel for a chance to receive advice or support. 

After establishing “Circle Time” on her own throughout the month of August, Kreppel has invited guests such as Alisha Marie, Remi Cruz, Taylor King, and Devon and Sydney Carlson on the podcast. The collaborative episodes tend to be longer than the solo ones — with the average solo podcast being around 45 minutes. The guests that have been invited onto “Circle Time” have an obvious genuine personal connection with Kreppel, resulting in very comfortable and hilarious chemistry in their recorded conversations. 

Overall, I think that “Circle Time” is off to a good start. I feel that there is room for improvement in the topics discussed within the pop culture sections so far, but I acknowledge the fact that this is Kreppel’s first time taking on a big project independently, so there will be a learning curve. I have enjoyed listening and am interested in what the future holds as Kreppel establishes her own groove. 

7.5/10

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu



Add Some Flair to One’s Winter Schedule by Using Some of these Course Options

Written by:Jude Bokovoy 

Need ideas for classes to register for this upcoming term? Have too many extracurriculars to fill more than interests? Take a look at these wonderful opportunities to help branch out for winter term.

Anthropology 216 – Cultural Anthropology: Focuses include learned beliefs, behaviors and symbols utilized in cultures and societies around the world.

Anthropology 332 – Forensic Anthropology: This course is taught from a forensic anthropologist’s point of view analyzing the history of the discipline. Students will learn about goals, techniques and simpler uses of forensic anthropology. 

Art 120 – Beginning Digital Art & Design: Looking into the impacts of visual design, students will create art and designs using software. 

Art 250 – Introduction to Ceramics: Dive into the world of ceramics by creating pieces using handwork and wheel-throwing techniques.

Biology 134 – Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology: This inquiry-based student centered course walks through basic chemistry, cells, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems of the human body. 

Business 315 – Financial Management: This course goes over budgeting, profit planning, capital management, financial forecasting and much more information that could be helpful for any student. 

Chemistry 420 – Forensic Laboratory Techniques and Documentation: By analyzing physical evidence, one will learn about DNA, explosive residues, papers and inks, arson debris, gunshot residues and serology by using various techniques. 

Communication Studies 236 – Contemporary Issues in Media: Become aware of how media impacts individuals, organizations and the government. This class specifically focuses on the impact of reality T.V. 

Communication Studies 360 – Sport Communication: This course looks into individualized areas of interest including player-coach communication, media spectacles, controversies, journalism and many other sport related issues. 

Computer Science 361 – Algorithms: Learn about how algorithms are designed and implemented.

Criminal Justice 320 – Operations Administration in Homeland Security: Gain skills on how to collaborate with a community to take action concerning homeland security.

Criminal Justice 328 – Forensic Osteology: Through hands-on learning, one will get to identify human and skeletal remains while learning about a variety of related topics.

Dance 171 – World Dance: Hula: Explore the Polynesian dance, hula, through movement while learning its cultural meaning and values.

Dance 255 – Introduction to Dance: Get a feel of a variety of dance styles including hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theater and more.

Dance 340 – Conditioning for Dancers: Create a perfect, individualized conditioning routine catered to one’s dancing preferences. 

Earth Science 106 – Exploring the Oceans and Atmosphere: Learn about the Earth’s systems through chemistry, geology and physics. 

Earth Science 320 – Basic Meteorology: Study meteorological phenomena including topics such as the atmosphere, air pressure, heat transfer, precipitation and much more.

Entrepreneurship 384 – Going Into Business In Oregon: This course introduces students to the inner workings of starting a business in the state of Oregon. 

Exercise Science 455 – Physical Activity & Aging: Learn about the long term effects of individual and public healthcare that can motivate one to change lifestyles.

Gerontology 200 – The Aging Self: Your Pathway Through Adulthood: Students will learn about how their personal decisions will affect their life trajectories through discussion and self reflection.

History 489 – Environmental History: Watch the world transform through the history of agriculture, scientific inquiry, urban growth and more.

Literature 386 – Form and Meaning in Film: Observe film as an artform through the lens of a filmmaker. 

Philosophy 103 – Introduction to Logic: Students will analyze the techniques used to make decisions, problem solve and make judgments.

Political Science 203 – International Relations: Learn about the relations between international organizations and nations, as well as global problems and potential resolutions. 

Psychology 449 – Psychology of Creativity: Topics cover social and cultural contexts of creativity, individuality and collaboration in the creative process.  

Sociology 315 – Social Stratification and Inequality: Examine the concept of social classes, distribution of resources, causes and consequences of poverty, stratification and inequality.

Sustainability 201 – Nature and Society: Examine how society has affected nature through research and lab exercises. 

Theater Arts 328 – Stage Combat Studio: Learn how stage combat is executed first-hand by using Society of American Fight Directors’ recognised weapon styles. 

Writing 361 – Poetry Workshop: Become a poet through use of proper technique and appreciation of the artform. 

For more information check out the schedule planner accessible on the Western Oregon University Portal 2.0.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu








Rating the Best of Celebrity Halloween Customer

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

This Halloween season, many celebrities did not wait until Oct. 31 to don their costumes. This year, social media saw some of the craziest costumes worn by celebrities. Whether it’s because they are hilarious or just outright different, here are some of the best celebrity Halloween costumes of 2022, rated. Every celebrity costume can be found on their respective Instagram accounts.

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum took the creepy — and hilariously funny — route this Halloween, dressing up as a pink, hyper realistic worm. The model’s costume turned many heads this Halloween, leaving them asking “What in the world?” To match Klum, her husband, Tom Kaulitz, dressed up as a fisherman. What else would one expect from the Queen of Halloween? 10/10.

Couple Frankie Jonas and Anna Olson

The youngest and forgotten brother of the Jonas Brothers poked fun at his sibling, Joe Jonas, and ex-girlfriend, Taylor Swift, with the recreation of one of their more iconic stage moments. Anna Olson embodied Taylor Swift in a tight, silver dress while Frankie Jonas dressed as the spitting image of his older brother in a fitted black shirt. It is unknown whether or not Taylor Swift approved of the couple’s costumes. 7.5/10.

Joe Jonas

Joe Jonas may not have sported the iconic Taylor Swift red lipstick, but he did sport the red lips of the iconic figure, Flo from Progressive Insurance. He completed the look with all-white attire and a blue headband to accentuate those brown locks, topped off, of course, with a pin reading, “I love insurance.” 8/10.

Kim Kardashian

This Halloween, the “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star donned the character, Mystique, from the X-men superhero universe. Funnily enough, and in a twisting turn of events, Kim accidentally wore the costume to a friend’s birthday party, in a small misunderstanding that the party was a Halloween costume party. For that, it receives a rating of 8.5/10.



Space Up this Year Friendgiving Spread with this Captivating Dessert

Written by:Jude Bokovoy 

Don’t let the name drive one away — this olive oil cake recipe has subtle notes of lemon that will satisfy any craving. This cake is perfect for a Friendsgiving with countless presentation options, simple ingredients and perfect for a light dessert.

OLIVE OIL CAKE

Start to finish: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yields: 8 servings

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

⅔ cup granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup greek yogurt

2 large eggs

⅔ cup high quality olive oil

Juice of half a lemon

Zest of a whole lemon

Garnish

⅛ cup powdered sugar

20 raspberries

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Add dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir until combined. Create a well in the middle of the bowl and set aside. Combine wet ingredients in the order listed above, leaving out lemon juice and zest. Pour wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients and slowly whisk the corners of the dry ingredients in. Once fully combined, add lemon juice and zest. Oil a nine inch circular pan, then pour batter evenly into the pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown. While the cake is cooling, use parchment paper to create a stencil to make a design in powdered sugar. Once the cake is cool, apply the stencil and tap on the powdered sugar using a small strainer or spoon. Set raspberries beside the cake for guests to apply to their slice. For more details check out the full recipe at feelgoodfoodie.net.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu



A Beginner’s Guide to Exercise

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Ever wondered how to maximize a workout? How to do the most in what little time a college student has? Is the thought of branching out from the cardio machines nerve wracking? 

Going to the gym can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. This is one way of organizing a full week of working out to make things seem more manageable. Keep in mind that this is just one way of splitting a workout — many people do different workout splits and that is perfectly okay. Do whatever works best. 

For an everyday workout, a warm up and cool down is extremely important. Typically, ten minutes of each is recommended. Dynamic, or movement-based, stretching is a great warm up. Static stretching, based upon the amount of time a stretch is held, is a good cool down.

After weight training, one should do around ten to twenty minutes of cardio depending on one’s goals. When working out with the goal of losing weight, try to focus on cardio. When working out with the goal to build more muscle, do less cardio. 

Monday: Shoulders, biceps and triceps.

Tuesday: Chest, back and forearms (optional). 

Wednesday: Rest.

Thursday: Legs.

Friday: Shoulders, biceps and triceps.

Saturday: Chest, back and forearms (optional). 

Sunday: Rest.

When starting the cycle, begin with where one left off in the pattern. This will make it so that the workout cycle is repeated every two weeks. Switching things up can keep things more interesting and less mundane. 

For each muscle group one is focusing on, a good way to organize exercises is to aim between 8 and 12 reps for 3 to 5 sets. Knowing where to begin can be difficult. One way to start is to work each day’s muscle groups on the cable pulls, then on the machines and ending in the free weight section.

In the case of a Monday split for example, one would use the cable pulls for shoulders, biceps and triceps; then move on to machines where, in the same order, one would pick machines that hit these same muscle groups. Finally, one would cycle through these muscle groups one final time on the free weight mats. 

Now, it is important to note the importance of rest days. Remember to rest in order to allow the muscles — which one essentially tears up when working out — time to rebuild themselves. Powering through the gym every day might seem appealing, but this will not yield one’s intended results.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu



Western Celebrates Dia de Los Muertos

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancour

Dia de los Muertos is a yearly, Mexican cultural celebration commemorating the beloved spirits of the deceased. It is characterized by a combination of well wishes, “ofrendas” — offerings, often meaning food or photographs — with a vibrant display of flowers alongside an altar.

Every year, Dia de los Muertos is observed from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. While Oct. 31 is universally known as Halloween, Nov. 1 is referred to as All Saints Day, or the day of the children, in which  the gates of heaven flood open, allowing the deceased to join the physical world to pay a visit to their loved ones.

Although not an official holiday, Nov. 2 is designated as All Souls Day, the day the living get the chance to honor the lives of their departed loved ones. Contrary to misconception, the day of the dead is not a day to grieve, but a day to laugh and have fun.

Last week, students who visited the lobby of the Werner University Center — directly across from Caffe Allegro — saw the altar set up by student workers and volunteers from the Multicultural Student Union. Students who lost a loved one were permitted and encouraged to add an offering to the altar or a heartfelt message on the board. 

The altar and display were left out for student engagement until the end of the week. Likewise, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, MSU hosted an event in the WUC Plaza, with offerings of pan dulce, or “conchas” and hot chocolate. The treats were free to take, as long as the individual provided their name and student email.

That same day, at 6 p.m., MSU hosted their weekly meeting, featuring a celebration of the day of the dead. Attendees got the chance to celebrate Dia de los Muertos with activities such as face painting, sugar skull coloring and a rerun of a classic American movie.

In Mexican culture, activities such as face painting have a special meaning associated with the day of the dead — based upon a mixture of European and Aztec symbolism. Historically, sugar skull face paint is inspired by the work of Mexican lithographic artist, Jose Guadalupe Posada.

Dia de los Muertos is the Multicultural Student Union’s first major cultural celebration on campus of the 2022–23 school year, with many more events planned for the future.​​ The club is always looking for student volunteers to aid in such events. Students can check out their Instagram at @msuwou or join MSU in their club meetings every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m in the Columbia Room of the WUC.



Senior Night Annihilation

Written by:Gretchen Sims

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Western Wolves crushed the Simon Fraser University Red Leaves 32-7 — a perfect way to say goodbye to this years’ seniors. 

The Wolves came out of the gate strong with No. 23, Omari Dixon-Land, scoring the first touchdown at the 7:43 minute mark in the first quarter. 

During the second quarter,  No. 94, Noa Aluesi, recovered the ball after No. 8, Malcolm Liufau, sacked the Red Leaves’ punter which resulted in a touchdown on the next play — completed by Thomas Wright when the game clock hit 14:00 on the top. 

Running Back Marquis Sampson, No. 5, scored the final touchdown of the first half; bringing the Wolves score up to 26-0. 

During half time Western honored their seniors. The seniors on the Western Oregon Cheerleading Team include Catherine Machorro, Jude Bokovoy and Abbey Busick.

The seniors from the Western Wolves Football Team include No. 4 Andrew Valladares, No. 5 Marquis Sampson, No. 6 Machiah Lee, No. 9 Jaylin Parnell, No. 11 Thomas Wright, No. 16 Joey Sinclair, No. 17 Logan Reese, No. 19 L.J. Lovelace, No. 23 Omari Dixon-Land, No. 24 Ryan Minniti and No. 69 Edward Taufa’asau. 

During the third quarter, Simon Fraser made a comeback and managed to take 7 points back from Western — their first and final points of the game. 

Western then had two unsportsmanlike conducts back to back at the 13:32 minute mark in the 3rd quarter. The first was by No. 5, Marquis Sampson, and the second was by No. 83, Shaw Jerome. The  penalties pushed Western back 30 yards. This led to a forced punt at 4th in 38 — turning over the ball to the Red Leaves. 

After Western put in their second string players, no more points were scored or lost and Western proved themselves to be good sports despite the previous unsportsmanlike conducts. 

However, No. 3, Freshman Quarterback Kainoa Jones, ran the ball 26 yards in the 4th quarter — a promising start for the young star. 

Overall, Western fought hard, but knew when to pull back and show respect to the other team. Tune in to their final game next week as the Wolves take on Texas A&M University at Kingsville, Texas. Go wolves!

Contact the author at howlentertainment.wou.edu



WOU Galleries Crew Designates Art Gallery for Western Community

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On Oct. 26, Western’s Art Galleries team announced their community-wide effort to build and reestablish campus relationships through the collaborative art project, “Let Your Flags Fly.” 

Throughout November  — concluding at the end of the Fall term — students will have the opportunity to participate in the creation of their own pennant flag and have it displayed in the second floor gallery of Hamersly library. No artistic experience is required, simply creativity and the desire to grow closer to the community.

As the project gains traction, students can expect to see the number of flags multiply, and see their own displayed among the rest. According to Paula Booth, director of the Cannon Gallery, the project has been culminated by lack of community certainty and disconnection demonstrated by Western in recent years. 

“… We were originally thinking of a way to create a more welcoming space in the library for students, and to make it a place where students might think to go and spend time,” Booth said. “(We) realized that there were students who had gotten through four years here at (Western) and had never even stepped into the library … It sort of morphed into this community-wide art project and this idea of building community through art, bringing people together and then, you know, putting all of our artworks together in one place.” 

Melody Barrett, student gallery coordinator, added, “I think by having everyone’s art together in one space, I hope to create a more welcoming space. I want people to see themselves in the space and to feel like it’s their space.” 

Since the announcement, the Western art galleries team have held two flag-painting sessions, one on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. Future painting sessions are yet to be determined, but are expected to be announced soon. According to Barrett, the first two sessions were a success, with a much greater turnout than anticipated. The crew had initially begun with around 100 flags; however, after only three days, it was clear they needed to create more in order to meet the incessant excitement and demand.

“We didn’t necessarily expect such a big response,” said Booth.

While there are no currently scheduled dates for upcoming painting sessions, there are still many ways for students to get involved. 

Those who are interested can visit the unmanned project table located on the second floor of  Hamersly library any time throughout the month of November. Project materials can be found for usage at the project table. Clubs and organizations are also welcome to join through the creation of their own flags. If interested, club leaders can contact Paula Booth and request supplies to be dropped off the group’s meeting location.

“Let Your Flags Fly” will conclude by the end of the fall term with a celebration. Although the celebration date is to be determined, Booth and Barrett expect the celebration to coincide around the time of the Holiday Christmas tree lighting. Students can expect further details in an announcement in coming weeks. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



Power Red: Red Cross Comes to the WUC

Written by: Dakota Gange 

Thursday, Nov. 3 brought students and faculty together below a glistening disco ball in a room filled with the melodic voices of Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Shakira. Though, between the machines, needles and stretcher-like beds, this was no party-like event. 

The first Red Cross blood drive of the 2022–23 school year was held in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center. Though blood drives on campus are run by the Red Cross and its team of phlebotomists, it is Western’s Student Veterans of America and Pre-Med Club that bring the Red Cross to Western’s campus. 

In addition to regular blood donation, the option to donate “Power Red” was also highlighted. 

Explained by redcrossblood.org, “Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.” It is required that iron levels are higher for one to donate Power Red than is typically required for regular blood donations.

Student Veterans of America’s Communications Officer, Brant Morgan, and Pre-Med Club President, Lorena Soriano, spearheaded the event.

Morgan is currently studying information systems concentrating in cyber systems and wishes to become an ethical hacker, with plans to do an FBI internship during the summer of 2024. 

Inspired by having to re-learn how to walk at the age of 12 after surviving a life-threatening meningitis illness, Soriano, who is studying pre-med, dreams of becoming a pediatrician.

Both could be seen managing the needs of the drive, or handing out snacks, water and t-shirts to those who had donated. 

Previously, the blood drives were solely run by the Veterans Resource Center, which oversees SVA. However, after teaming up with the Pre-Med club, there has been a significant increase in donations this fall term.  

“This is a good partnership. Especially after the hurricane in Florida, that’s made a big impact on why we need more involvement (donors). Since spring term we’ve seen tremendously more involvement with people donating on campus,” said Morgan, who is also a Peer Advisor in Veterans Education team leader. PAVE is a Western-funded program that supports veteran students through advising, outreach and resources. 

SVA and Pre-Med Club plan to continue their partnership in the promotion of the blood drives, hosting one every term. 

For more information or to stay up to date on future blood drives, check out the SVA’s Instagram at @wousva.

Contact the author at howlmanaging@mail.wou.edu



Best Netflix Original Series

Written by Gretchen Sims

Students seem to be taken by storm by Netflix’s endeavors to produce their own original content. Here are some of Western students’ favorite shows, what are yours? 

Some series were included in the original poll but warranted no results. Among those were: “The Crown,” “Love is Blind,” and “Selling Sunset.” 

Stranger Things 19.2 % (5)

Bridgerton 11.5 % (3)

Queen’s Gambit 11.5 % (3)

The Umbrella Academy 11.5% (3)

The Witcher 11.5 % (3)

Sex Education 7.7 % (2)

A Series of Unfortunate Events 7.7 % (2)

Lucifer 3.8 % (1)

Kobra Kai 3.8 % (1)

The OA 3.8 % (1)

Big Mouth 3.8 % (1)

Narcos 3.8 % (1)

Student Loan Borrowers Cautioned About Scams by FBI

Written by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

As of Friday, Oct. 28, six major lawsuits have been filed by opponents of the one-time federal student loan forgiveness program across the U.S. 

The legal arguments contain claims of harm to borrowers, the program being unconstitutional,   harm due to the devaluation of Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and harm to states and state agencies. They also claim that the program violates the Administrative Procedure Act — arguing that the program failed to provide notices of produced and final rulemaking, as well as failing to provide opportunities for the public to comment on notices of said proposed rulemaking.

On Oct. 21, a federal circuit court ruled for the issuing of an “administrative stay,” which would immediately halt student loan forgiveness payments indefinitely until the court rules on the motion for an injunction.

This news came after 22 million Americans applied for student loan debt forgiveness, following the first week of the student loan debt forgiveness beta application becoming available.

In an exclusive interview for News Nation on Oct. 27, President Biden acknowledged the court argument for debt relief, predicting that the issues would be quickly resolved and that students could see their refund checks in the mail within the next few weeks.

In other news, the student loan forgiveness plan has provided a hook for scammers, as an increasing wave of borrowers are becoming victims to scammers with fraudulent offers of help. 

One of the more common scams is a company stating that an individual must pay in order to be eligible for student loan debt forgiveness — which is false. Other scammers attempt to persuade borrowers to provide their personal or financial information as a way to steal one’s identity. In a newly-introduced method, scammers are pretending to be an individual’s loan servicer. 

If an individual is unsure about who their loan servicer is, they can visit studentaid.gov and scroll down until they find the section for “My Loan Servicers.” As a reminder, most borrowers receive an official email by their loan servicer upon accepting government loans. The official federal loan servicers include FedLoan Servicers, Granite State, Great Lakes Educational Loans Servicers, HESC/EdFinancial, MOHELA, Navient, Nelnet, and OSLA Servicing.

To avoid being scammed, unsolicited emails and other messages should be ignored and attachments inside of them should never be opened. Such emails could contain malware and viruses.

Individuals who believe they have fallen victim to student loan debt relief scammers should immediately report to the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Education or file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

New Food Truck Opens in Mounmouth’s The Annex

Written by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

The Monmouth community recently welcomed a new locally owned food truck — Aaron and Jack’s Snack Shack, an “out of the box” diner-style eatery with a dash of cultural delectables. The Snack Shack is now serving customers at The Annex, located near The Donut Bar.

On Oct. 10, owners Aaron and Jack held a soft opening with a starter menu,  including burgers and philly sandwiches. An official grand opening was held on Oct. 13. As they have become more established, Aaron and Jack have broadened their menu options to include ramen, loaded fries and mac and cheese.

Aaron and Jack both have 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, with Jack as a former employee at Jack’s Pub, and Aaron a former employee at Dry Town. According to Jack, the pair have not had the best experiences with past employers, which catalyzed their eventual opening of their own business. 

“We just wanted to bust out, do our own thing, and serve the community good quality food that you can’t get anywhere else,” Aaron said.

Customers’ favorite menu item from the Snack Shack as of late is the philly cheesesteak — a mouthwatering combination of thinly sliced steak, homemade cheese sauce, onions, mushrooms and peppers. Another bestseller is the beef ramen and birria tacos, a delicious Mexican dish. Outdoor seating is provided for customers wishing to dine-in.

The Snack Shack is included as one of the 31 restaurants participating in WOU Wednesday. Students who visit on Wednesday will receive 10% off of their meal when they show their Western ID or show up in their favorite Western gear. Students also receive $1 off when they order a wolf juice, a flavor-infused energy drink. 

The food truck also offers customers the chance to order a new secret menu item on Fridays. To obtain the password for the secret menu item, customers must monitor The Shack’s social media the day of from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Currently, the Snack Shack is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

“Most (businesses) are closed around town (on Monday), so we’re open on Monday,” Jack said. “If you got the late night munchies at 10:30 (p.m.), come by and get some food.”

To check out the menu for Aaron and Jack’s Snack Shack and remain updated on future deals and specials, follow them on Instagram at @aaron_and_jacks. 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Winter Cheer Tryouts are Rapidly Approaching

Written by  Jude Bokovoy

Winter cheerleading tryouts are on Nov. 14 — who’s ready? Interested in a place to work on cheer skills, bond with likeminded people and perform in front of a crowd each week? The WOU Cheerleading Team may be just what one is looking for. Follow the guide below to get a sneak peek of what to expect and how to stand out.

Tryout preparation—- First, follow @woucheerleading on Instagram to get information and register by Nov. 12. Then create a dance routine and Western-related cheer to perform for the individual tryout. Make sure to take care of oneself to ensure one’s best performance — whether it’s going to the gym consistently, practicing jumps, getting back into tumbling or anything else.

What to expect at tryouts —-  Arrive a few minutes early to the upper level of the New P.E. building to introduce oneself to the coaches, team members and the people one will be trying out with. Once everyone has warmed up and stretched, the individual tryouts begin. One by one each person trying out will be called back into the gym to perform their own original dance to their song of choice. After this, they will demonstrate their two best jumps, perform their custom cheer and answer a few questions from the judging panel. Tumbling is encouraged, but optional. 

Once everyone has completed their individual tryout, cuts will be made. 

Next, those who are called back will stunt with returning team members. This is one’s time to shine. Open mindedness is a quality that the WOU Cheer Team greatly values. After everyone has been able to perform to their greatest abilities a halftime-style dance routine and cheer will be taught. 

Everyone will be split up into small groups to perform the dance and cheer for the final portion of tryouts.

To stick out among the group, volunteer to call the cheer, be loud and rally one’s heart out after both the cheer and dance. 

What is it like to be a WOU Cheerleader? —- Being on the team is a great experience that will push limits and create lasting friendships. The team is curated based on skill and personality to ensure the safety and enjoyment of each member. For the winter team, practices are held twice a week. There are zero to four Basketball games each week, and with the likey addition of competing in Anaheim California, a WOU cheerleader’s schedule is quite full. 

Completion of the workout circuits assigned by the athletic trainers will be required twice a week as well. Practices require physical and mental preparation to try a new stunt is always a necessity. Cheerleaders are expected to learn halftime routines within two practices to perform later in the week, so focus is a required quality. Although cheerleading is a big time commitment, the majority of the team is able to maintain being full time students, employees, and cheerleaders harmoniously. 

Being a WOU Cheerleader is an experience unlike any other. Experienced cheerleaders are preferred, but those with no experience are welcome to try out. 

If one has any questions or needs any assistance related to tryouts or WOU Cheer, Coach Caitlin Masterson is happy to assist. To do so, reach out to her via Instagram @woucheerleading.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Passion for the Passage

Written by Jude Bokovoy

Wanting a place to display one’s creations? Whether one’s interests lie in writing, art or photography, The Northwest Passage has a place for it all. The Northwest Passage is accepting submissions until Nov. 4 for their fall 2022 issue. 

What is The Northwest Passage? Each term, students from Western get the opportunity to submit all of their artistic creations for the chance to be featured in the latest issue. During the weeks leading up to and following the deadline, the Editor-in-Chief will create a shared Google drive containing all submissions, which are voted on anonymously by the publication’s editorial board. Once voting is complete, the Editor-in-Chief will format the booklet — including all of the chosen pieces. After designing, editing, and reviewing, the issue will be ready to print. The finalized copies will be distributed at campus locations, as well as some businesses in downtown Monmouth. 

Contributing to The Northwest Passage is a great way to get one’s name and work out into the world  while building one’s resume. Having published works of any kind looks great on applications. One of the best things about The Northwest Passage is that one can submit classwork to be featured. Submitting classwork requires little to no extra work on the part of the author or artist that is submitting. 

To submit one’s most treasured pieces for a chance to be featured in this term’s edition of The Northwest Passage, email submissions to northwestpassage@wou.edu. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

You are Much More Than Your GPA

Written by Jude Bokovoy

Welcome to midterm season. For some students, this season is just as stressful as a typical week, but for many it can be one of the most stressful parts of the term. It can be easy to allow grades to have a chokehold on one’s life or identity, whether it’s from massive amounts of homework or one’s ideal final grade for a course. Let these affirmations ease one’s outlook on the college grading system.

One’s not alone. It is incredibly easy to fall into putting one’s self worth into their grades. In the college setting, most people want to get “good” grades, usually an A or a B depending on the person. But in reality, a “good” grade should only measure whether one is truly learning. Enjoying oneself should be a part of the learning experience. When getting an eight out of ten, people naturally gravitate to the incorrect answers instead of acknowledging the ones they got correct. 

It’s good to be challenged. There may be some terms where one doesn’t get on the Dean’s list and that is okay. It can be hard to remember that college is not supposed to be easy. College is the ideal time to challenge oneself by taking hard courses, and that could mean that one will barely pass. This is okay. Some of the most enjoyable courses can end with the worst grades. Don’t be petrified by a hypothetical bad grade. Take the daunting course. 

Grades do not measure how much one understands the material. Most times, professors are unable to memorize each of their students’ preferred learning styles. Sometimes one will get a bad grade on an assignment in their favorite class. This does not mean that they don’t understand the material, it just means that the assignment wasn’t formatted in a way that matches their understanding. 

Students are often their own worst critics. The only person that is affected by one’s grades is oneself. No one asks about grades in the workplace, not even one’s accumulated GPA. It is one’s personal responsibility to set their own goals — whether it is barely sliding by, driven by the saying “D’s get degrees,” or shooting for presidential honors. College is already hard, try not to make it any more difficult by oneself to unachievable standards.

Get some distractions. Encouraging words may not be enough to get one’s mind off of their current assignment scores. Getting occupied with one’s passions is the perfect way to decompress. Distractions could be anything from joining a club to doing something spontaneous. Whatever it is, it is much better than wasting time worrying about one’s grades.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

It’s Ok to Buy That One Dress From SHEIN

Written by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

The allure of clothing brands like H&M, Shein and Forever 21 can be tempting to many consumers. With their cheap prices, trendy clothing and wide display of styles, fast fashion clothing brands have become increasingly popular amongst social media influencers or so-called “trendsetters.”

It is a generally undisputed fact that fast fashion is bad for the planet and ethically immoral — but what some need to acknowledge is that, for many people, it can be their only option. 

Many environmentalists opposing fast fashion argue that it is worth it to spend the couple more dollars needed to buy something that will last. But when it comes down to using that last paycheck to buy an expensive pair of jeans or save it for healthier grocery options, most would choose the latter. High end and sustainable clothing is sometimes just not an option, especially for college students, who are often living paycheck to paycheck.

Perhaps it’s time to stop dumping all the blame on those who shop fast fashion, and instead look at the systems businesses employ that encourage this behavior from their consumers. Today, an individual cannot scroll through Instagram without seeing a Shein ad urging them to buy that baby blue mini dress — regardless of the fact that it’s fall and they would probably freeze to death trying to wear it.

While there have been various attempts to boycott fast fashion companies, the reality is that it would take an enormous portion of consumers to make enough of an impact for prominent companies to even consider changing their ways. 

Cutting out fast fashion from an individual’s lifestyle choices can be difficult for many; however, it is possible to be an ethically responsible and conscious consumer. 

Shopping fast fashion does not necessarily have to result in the disposal of such large amounts of clothing after a short period of time. Fast fashion is often not the stereotypical “wear once and throw away” notion that many people seem to believe. 

If shopping fast fashion is an individual’s only option, being a more sustainable consumer can simply mean: “buy what you need and wear what you buy.” If properly maintained, a clothing item from Shein could last up to four years. 

Furthermore, depending on the condition, used clothing can be consigned, lent to others, or donated to second-hand shops. In recent years, shopping at thrift stores has become more normalized. Some popular Oregon second-hand stores include Salvation Army, St.Vincent de Paul and Goodwill.

The verdict is this: above all, one should be conscious of their shopping habits. In the end, giving in to buying that Shein dress from an Instagram ad every once in a while is not going to make much of a difference in the vast, unethical world of fast fashion. What will truly make a difference is what one decides to do with that piece of clothing down the road. Will one throw it away after a single use? Or will they consciously maintain it so they can wear it proudly for the next four years?

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

DC: Mr. Steal Ur Gurl

Written by Gretchen Sims

Oct. 20 will go down in history as the day “Black Adam” took audiences across the nation by storm. This latest DC movie blew every fourth-generation Marvel project out of the water. 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars alongside a star-studded cast in the latest installation of the Shazam universe. 

Popular characters from DC comics are pitted against Johnson as he fights to recognize the hero inside. Released from a prison of his own making, this weapon of mass destruction has a second chance to prove to himself that he is worthy of his power. 

This movie was different from most superhero films — Black Adam is not your typical hero. He does not spare his enemies and promotes violence, yet he will still do whatever it takes to protect his family. 

One of the most impressive parts of this film was the cinematography and visuals throughout the movie. The vibrant colors and crispness of every scene were unparalleled. However, some of the CGI was unimpressive and some lengths of clips were questionable. 

This movie started off slow, and the plot seemed rushed and uninteresting for the first hour. Still, just when the movie seemed like it was going nowhere, the plot arch redeemed itself — making “Black Adam” one of the best superhero movies to be released since the end of the Marvel CinamaticUniverse. 

This movie touched on popular contemporary issues while tying these issues back to systemic abuse of the past. This movie’s storyline of oppression will be familiar to audiences, while giving hope for the future. “Black Adam” pursues the trope that common people are the true heroes — from which real change begins.

Overall, this movie did not deserve the low rating it received on Rotten Tomatoes. The loveable characters and quick-witted humor vastly overshadowed the clumsy CGI and roller coaster of a plotline. “Black Adam” is the beginning of a bright future for the DC Shazam universe. 

Marvel better watch out. 

8/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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