Mount Hood

Letter from the Editor

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

Hello Western,

We have come to the end of an era. As an employee of two years, it is unbelievable to me that this will be the last article I will write for the Western Howl. 

There is an overwhelming amount of things to reflect on. For one, the Western Howl celebrated its 100th year of publishing student-run news in 2023. 

I’ve had the privilege to transition through many different editorial positions at the Howl. I initially started as a News Editor — doe-eyed and so incredibly stoked to be able to get paid to write. I am happy to say that despite many challenges, that passion and drive to write and create still resides inside of me. 

There has been a huge amount of transition and change during my time at the Howl. The leadership in the team that I started with graduated in the 2021-2022 academic year — teaching me their ways and handing over the reins to me. We were a really strong and cohesive team, and I found myself wondering if I may ever be able to replicate that feeling again. In the 2022-2023 team, there were some incredibly strong returners with a few new faces sprinkled throughout. 

Leadership from higher-ups has been constantly shifting. Dealing with the losses and additions of advisors, as well as the lack of advising that existed for most of this year, has been strenuous. Leading a group of my peers in a time when communication and information were scarce proved to be incredibly challenging. I am thankful to my team for backing me up and boosting my confidence when things seemed dire. 

Despite the challenges we faced, the Western Howl has consistently been able to publish weekly issues containing relevant news and information for the Western community. The passion of our editorial team is present within each article we have published. I am incredibly grateful and proud of the creativity our section editors have been able to maintain through challenging themselves each week. We have had several of our employees move from in-person to remote positions, and I am thankful for those that have been able to maintain journalistic and workplace standards from afar. 

We would truly be nothing without our designers and photo editor. In all aspects, this part of our team figures out how to make our papers work visually — which is a huge feat. One cannot thank them without mentioning the charisma they bring into the office and their complete and utter love for Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and Elvis Presley. 

Many of the 2022-23 staff will either be graduating or not returning, but let me be clear — the staff who are returning are excellent and raising the bar for what the Howl can be. 

Gretchen Sims will be a valiant leader in welcoming and establishing a new team for the 2023-24 academic year, continuing the legacy of those who she has worked alongside. I have every confidence that her leadership will cause the Howl to grow and exceed in being a trusted community resource for students, staff and beyond. Addie Floyd will be entering Fall 2023 as a seasoned leader and accomplished head designer. Readers must stay tuned to see how they will flourish with a new team in the Fall. 

It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Howl for the past two years. In my time here, I have met and grown with friends and peers that have truly changed my life for the better. I would not change it for the world. 

Sincerely, 

Mikayla Coleman



Advice from a Graduating First-Gen college student

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

College is already difficult enough having to navigate challenges, but it is especially challenging for a first-generation college student with nothing to draw inspiration and general conclusions from. 

I am the first person in my family to attend college. However, the label — first-generation college student and first person in the family to attend college — brought with it a very heavy burden: the pressure to live up to the expectation and become the family pride and breadwinner. 

In the beginning, the label only brought me misery and feelings of self-doubt and loneliness, as well as the constant fear of failure. I wanted to please my parents after the sacrifices they made to give me a proper education — a privilege they’ve never had — but I felt like I was not moving and succeeding at the pace of my fellow classmates. It was a classic instance of “The Imposter Syndrome” and one of many in my college journey.

In the end, I managed to persevere with the help of my family, and as a first-generation college student, I felt it was my duty to share the things I have learned in my three years of college.

Join a community of similar and like-minded individuals — In my first year, I joined the On-Track Program by the Multicultural Student Services and Programs which is committed to guiding low-income and first-generation students throughout their first year in college. This program gave me an excuse to learn about the similar life experiences and thoughts that plagued my own and — albeit done virtually — left me feeling connected with my peers and with a sense of belonging. The program and the guidance it gave me was critical in helping me get on my feet. The key to managing the college experience is to connect with others; other people who are also facing the same obstacles and challenges.

Forgive yourself for mistakes — If one allows themself to ruminate and slowly drown in a sea of all the mistakes and failures one has made throughout one’s journey as a college student, it might just pull one under. It’s college; everyone is learning and starting from the knowledge of a clean and blank slate. It’s okay to make mistakes and the sooner one accepts that, the better.

Forgive your parents for their lack of understanding — There were many times throughout my college journey when I would phone my mother begging for advice on a certain matter relating to college, only to be met with one of three options: silence, a very indifferent — and frankly uninterested — tone, or the usual “No se, mija.” This was frustrating. However, I cannot blame my parents for my own lack of understanding and guidance in university and educational affairs, for their encouragement was always present every step of the way and I really could not have done it without their support.

Take advantage of campus and community resources — In my case, one of the most challenging situations I had to endure as a first-generation college student was being honest with myself and admitting I needed help. One cannot know everything, especially as a first-generation student, and for many students, our parents cannot help much in terms of guidance and comfort, including navigation of topics such as financial aid and graduation. This means that one must take advantage of campus spaces and resources on campus, such as the financial aid office and student support programs.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The 2024 Presidential Election

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

The 2024 United States Presidential Election is just under 17 months away, which means many of the presidential nominees are declaring themselves for election, with a few big names still expected to be announced. Here is a brief overview of the democratic incumbent President Joe Biden, who is not the guaranteed Democratic nominee, and the top three Republican nominees who are fighting to be his contenders on the ballot in Nov. 2024.

President Joe Biden officially announced his reelection bid in a video that was released on April 25, 2023. By referring to the next election as a “battle for the soul of America,” Biden framed it as a choice between freedom and liberties or a smaller degree of each. 

By highlighting people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, as well as images of the attack on the US Capitol and pro-abortion rights protests, he aimed to distinguish the ideas of his administration from those of his political competitors. Biden underlined the significance of the rise of MAGA extremists, who he said threatened fundamental liberties.

When he made the official announcement from his South Florida club, Mar-a-Lago, in November, former president Donald Trump was the first candidate to announce his campaign from either party. Although he has not been very active on the campaign trail, he has recently upped his travel, making stops in important early primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. 

Trump, who is widely seen as the front-runner for the GOP nomination, strengthened his position by giving a keynote speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he topped the straw poll among attendees, in March. He continues to be a strong contender within the Republican Party, but his campaign will encounter tough legal obstacles.

The former South Carolina governor and Trump administration ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, launched her campaign for the Republican nomination in the middle of February. Haley, 51, has suggested a required mental fitness test for lawmakers above the age of 75 in an effort to establish herself as a new face in the Republican Party’s leadership — covertly making references to both former President Trump, who is 76, and President Biden, who is 80. Haley is a native of Bamberg, South Carolina and has served two successful terms as governor. Her ancestors were Indian immigrants. She made a name for herself as the senior American diplomat at the UN from Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2018 while the Trump administration was in power.

On May 24, Ron DeSantis officially began his presidential campaign. DeSantis’ announcement was delayed by technical issues just before he officially launched his campaign on Twitter Spaces, joined by the platform’s CEO Elon Musk. His staff viewed this as proof of his popularity and joked that he “literally busted up the internet.” DeSantis offered a comprehensive platform at the beginning of his campaign that included improving the nation’s crime rates, fostering energy independence and resolving immigration issues. He assured primary voters that he would take office on Jan. 20, 2025, emphasizing his dedication to providing outcomes devoid of justification. DeSantis confronts a significant obstacle in his bid for the presidency in the shape of former President Trump, who has already directed attacks at him.

Note: This piece is not meant to promote any presidential nominee over another and is strictly informational.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Oregon author Kim Johnson visits Western

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On May 31, Kim Johnson — the author of the best-selling, young adult novel, “This Is My America” — visited students and the community to speak on the success of her acclaimed debut novel.

Johnson is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Book Award and Malka Penn Human Rights Award for Children’s Literature. In addition to writing, Johnson serves as Vice Provost at the University of Oregon, constantly advocating for new methods to teach and educate new generations of students in order for them to thrive. 

Johnson said, “It really is an honor (to be here), especially to be here talking to you not as an administrator, but also talking to you as a creator; as a writer, someone who speaks truth to power or hopes to speak truth to power in the words that I write.”

“This Is My America” follows the story of Tracy Beaumont, a budding Black student journalist and social activist, fighting to clear her father’s name — who is sentenced to death row — as well as prove her brother’s innocence after he becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a white classmate.

The event opened with a keynote speaker presentation from Johnson, where she delved, in detail, into the journey she undertook as a blossoming writer; from the realization of her affinity for storytelling, to persevering and maintaining resilience even in the face of adversity and the chain of rejections from literary agents and publishers. In a display of vulnerability, Johnson shared that she spent two years submitting her work to agents, to the point where she eventually hit a total of 150 rejections.

“I tell you (this) long story because there are so many times that we see ‘no’s. There are so many roadblocks, there are so many barriers … I feel like my purpose in my work is to identify systemic barriers and move them out of the way,” said Johnson. “You gotta get past the mountain to get to your ‘yes.’”

The students and the community were invited to engage in conversation with the author after the keynote speaker presentation through a Q&A session, book signing and a writing workshop; the latter of which was solely offered to students. 

There was a question posed by an audience member, which prompted Johnson to disclose that her inspiration — not only to write, but the inspiration for the protagonist in the novel — was the lives of the students and leaders she taught and mentored. However, Johnson shares that she sees the protagonist as a small mirrored reflection of herself, pushing against the status quo.

In 2021, it was announced that “This Is My America” was selected to be developed as a film adaptation series on HBO Max, after Johnson sold the rights to the novel to a film production company in Los Angeles, California. The writing and filming are in the early planning and development stages.

Johnson’s new novel “Invisible Son” is set to release this month. The novel is now available for pre-order. 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Our Class Cocktails

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

A few members of the Howl took the time to deeply ponder what cocktail would fit best with each major here at Western. Find the drink to clink at one’s graduation toast. 

American Sign Language — Mimosa 

Anthropology — Old Fashion

Art and Design — Jello Shot 

Arts in Dance — Lavender Lemon Drop

Biology — Warm Beer

Business — Smirnoff Ice. 

Chemistry — Azidoazide Azide

Communication Studies — White Claw  

Community Health — Aperol Spritz

Computer Science/Mathematics — Gin and tonic 

Childhood Studies — Tequila Sunrise 

Criminal Justice — Whiskey on the rocks

Earth Science — Lemon Drop

Education — Kamikaze

English Studies — Pinot Noir 

Exercise Science — Spicy Margarita

Gerontology — Death in the afternoon 

History — Manhattan 

Humanities — Pina Colada 

Information Systems — Strawberry Daiquiri 

Information Technology — Dirty Vodka Martini

Interdisciplinary Studies — Long Island Iced Tea

International Studies — Moscow Mule

Interpreting Studies — Body Shot

Mathematics — Vodka shot x2

Teaching — Green Apple Martini 

Music — Gibson

Philosophy — Whiskey Sour

Political Science — A shot of tequila

Pre Nursing — Bloody Mary 

Psychology — Rum and Coke

Public Health — Chardonnay 

Public Policy & Administration —  Gin martini with a twist

Social Science — Long Island fish bowl

Sociology — Sangria 

Spanish — Mojito

Sustainability — A tall glass of water 

The Arts — Cider

Masters in anything — A full bottle of champagne.  

Contact the authors at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu

Graduation Motivation

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

The time has finally come. For some this journey has taken a decade, for others it has been as short as three years. Nevertheless, this is an accomplishment to be proud of. For some, this is another degree on their path through education, for many this is the finish line. No matter where one’s headspace is at, here are a few things to think about. 

Go to events — This is the last chance to go to a Western event as a student. If something sounds interesting, might as well go check it out. If one is personally invited to an event or award ceremony, make time to attend. This is where memories are made and how one can create interesting answers when asked about one’s college experience. 

Post-grad stance — A  question many ask after finding out one is graduating is “what are your plans after graduation?” No matter if one has or does not have a specific plan, remember that all that matters is how one personally feels. All that truly matters is that one pursues their endeavors with passion. Everything will work out. All of the hard work was for something. The opportunities are there, they just may not be revealed yet. 

Lean on fellow graduates — This is one of the few moments in life where one is surrounded by many people in very similar circumstances. Use the community of graduates as a source of relief. Lean on friends, ask them how they are doing and release personal worries. Spend time with them because for most, this will be the last week with them. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Throwing a Cat Birthday Part

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

I’ve had a few cats in my lifetime, but one constant was that they were all rescued and adult-aged, meaning I had no idea when their actual birthdays were. When I adopted a kitten this summer who was born in-shelter and I saw her date of birth written on her paperwork, I knew instantly that I was going to be celebrating every birthday with her. 

It sounds kind of crazy right? Who throws a birthday party for their cat? Me. I do. As someone who loves to divert attention from myself onto other people — or I guess, animals — I could not think of a better way to gather my friends in a format in which I didn’t have to be the center of attention. 

The steps listed below are the ones that I took to throw my cat’s first birthday party. Use these tips if one finds themselves in a similar situation — all aspects of our lives deserve to be celebrated, especially the lives and relationships of our pets. 

Make invitations — When I knew I was going to have a birthday party for my cat, I knew invitations would be important. One should choose whether they would like to have a digital invitation in the form of a pdf, printed invitations or both options to choose from. I ended up printing my invitations because I wanted my friends to be able to have a physical picture of my cat to display in their homes on their refrigerators or walls. It also made it seem like more of a solidified deal, getting the partygoers thinking “Oh, wow, there are actual invitations. She is taking this very seriously.” 

There are many ways to design both digital and printed invitations. If one is printing invitations, stores like Walmart or Walgreens print invitations for pretty cheap and have a plethora of different invitation designs to choose from and individualize. I ended up making my own custom invitation on a drawing software called ProCreate, where I drew over a pre-existing picture of my cat, including the party’s day, time and place. I then got them printed through Walmart and distributed them amongst my friends. 

Decorations and supplies — When I started researching decorations for pet birthday parties, I was pleasantly surprised by how much variety there was to choose from in the pet party realm. There were a lot of different packages on Amazon, many of which included balloons and banners spelling out things like “Meow” and “Let’s Pawty.” At first, I thought these were pretty cheesy, and don’t get me wrong, a lot of them were not the aesthetic that I was going for, but I ended up picking up a “Let’s Pawty” banner from Target, of all places. I picked up some other miscellaneous supplies like a flower garland and small paper plates from there as well. The star of the show, however, was the cat birthday outfit I bought off of Amazon — a party hat and skirt decorated with polka-dotted tulle resembling confetti. I do not think I will get her to tolerate it for even a second, especially not in front of our guests, but I couldn’t not buy it. 

Pick out party favors — When it comes to a cat party, party favors had me kind of stumped. My guests are all college-aged and older, so traditional goodie bags were out the window. I wanted to have something to offer as thanks for coming to my super extra cat birthday party, and everyone knows college students love free stuff, especially if it’s cute. After scouring the depths of Amazon, I found some cute cat keychains that were all in the same sort of cute, minimalist style that came with cute mesh gift bags. This was great, but it didn’t feel like quite enough, so I ordered a few sticker packs in a similar style and paired them with the keychains. 

Food and drinks — Running on a college budget, trying to figure out food and drinks was difficult. I wanted to be able to allow people to choose what they want to snack on, without having to cook anything on my own and accommodating a large variety of food allergies. I ended up going with a charcuterie board, which allowed me to be able to cover all of those bases. I did a majority of my shopping at Trader Joe’s and supplemented missing pieces at other stores like Roth’s. 

Happy celebrating!

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu 

Under the Sea

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Disney has been making live-action remakes of all their classics for years, but they have been very hit or miss with audiences. While movies like “Cinderella,” “Cruella” and “Maleficent” have been quite popular with fans, others, like “The Lion King,” “Dumbo” and “Pinocchio” have been ridiculed for their atrocious attempts at matching their classic counterparts. So, when “The Little Mermaid” was released last month, it is safe to say that fans were skeptical. 

As soon as the teaser dropped in Sept. 2022, there was already controversy surrounding this remake. Overtly racist or not, fans criticized the casting choice of Halle Bailey as the Little Mermaid. Once the official trailer came out this March, people were quick to tear apart other aspects of the film as well — particularly in regards to Sebastion being portrayed as a crab instead of a lobster. 

However, I still had high hopes that the film would far surpass everyone’s negative expectations. Unfortunately, Disney did not rise to the occasion. 

One of the most continuous shortcomings that Disney has when it comes to their live-action remakes is their changes to the original films’ soundtracks — “The Little Mermaid” was no different. However, in comparison to the classics such as “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the new songs added to the film were absolute garbage. One moment I was watching “The Little Mermaid,” and the next I was transported to a Harry Styles music video. To be clear, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Harry Styles, it just stuck out like a sore thumb.

Besides this, the CGI was horrible. For the enormous budget that Disney had to make this film, they could have at least put some of it into making it look good. The green screens used in the film were obvious — come on Disney, you’re one of the biggest names in the film industry and it’s 2023. At least add shadows.
On top of this, the movie should have come with a sensory warning. I am particularly sensitive to sounds and the sloshing of the water every time one of the characters moved was too much for me — it sounded like an infant playing in yogurt. 

However, one of the film’s saving graces was its acting crew. Bailey put on a wonderful performance — beautifully pulling off facial expressions even after Ariel lost her voice — and overall, the acting was phenomenal.

Unfortunately, this film had the opportunity to put haters in their place — or at the bare minimum not give them any ammo — but, with no fault to the cast, Disney failed miserably. What could have been a stellar, empowering remake of a classic was turned into a meh-movie with little to no heart behind it at all.

6.5/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Western’s Theatre Department Presents “The Wolves”

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Western’s Theatre Department debuted “The Wolves” on May 31 which was performed consecutively for the following three days. Written by Sarah DeLappe and directed by Raissa Fleming, the opening night performance was a smashing success that captivated audiences with the drama and theatrics of a high school soccer team. 

The cast of Western students included Mere Butler as Soccer Mom, Katie Newbury as No. 25, Lexy Bolsinger as No. 11, Lucy Garcia as No. 8, Cody Reece as No. 7, Maddie Blanchard as No. 14, Savannah King as No. 13, Mariam Anderson-Taha as No. 2, Loki Cockrill as No. 00 and Jeneba Diane King as No. 46. 

This production was phenomenal. 

I grew up playing soccer and have a lot of experience playing on teams. Not only have I been in the position of the new girl — No. 46 — but I have also been on a team that was together since kindergarten. The accuracy of the team and their interactions was on point. 

Fleming noted that one of the most impressive things about Delappe’s play was its ability to “capture the nuances of teenage girls’ dialog. The sometimes-lyrical lifts and falls in dialog.”

Each of the characters not only portrays — with seamless accuracy — the perils of being a teenager, but they each do it in their own unique way. Additionally, each one of these individuals perfectly fits into the team as a whole. 

The audience was completely hooked and enthralled with all of the typical teenage drama presented by the team, which made it all that more devastating when one of them was tragically taken before her time. 

The process of dealing with grief is a difficult one and one that all of us will experience in our lifetimes. No matter how young or old, any member of the audience could sympathize with the grief-stricken team as they struggled to pick themselves up after the loss of their teammate. 

Congratulations to the cast of “The Wolves.” Be sure to check out the Theatre Department’s upcoming performances in Fall 2023.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Proper etiquette for the aspiring gym-bros

Written by:Gretchen Sims

Going to the gym for the first time can be scary. After jumping that first hurdle, the question of how one should behave in the gym emerges. Learning proper gym etiquette is crucial to establish the safe space it has become for many people today. 

When I started going to the gym a little over a year ago, I was confused by the environments’ exclusive feeling; I had to learn everything I currently know about gym etiquette from Instagram. I was confused about the offended looks I was receiving, but was annoyed because I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. 

I was scared to even use any of the equipment because I could feel people’s eyes on my every move. So, with the knowledge that I have learned over the past year or so, I have gathered some points that I wish I would have known when I first started as well as some things I wish some experienced gym bros would remember. 

So, whether one is a new gym-goer or a seasoned veteran, here is an insightful list of the ins and outs of proper gym etiquette.  

Wiping equipment — While this may seem rather obvious, this is one of the most frequently overlooked aspects of proper gym etiquette. When a piece of equipment is used, one transfers skin cells, germs and sweat onto it. Wiping down the equipment is not only respectful to the person who uses the equipment after, but is also a necessity to stop the spread of bacterial skin infections that can occur from coming in contact with another’s body excretions. 

Putting equipment away — Please, for the love of God, unrack the weights when finished. As someone who started out barely being able to curl 10 pounds, I want to remind all the super strong gym bros out there to please put weights back where they go. It is much appreciated. Also be sure, if one uses extremely heavy weights on a machine, to put the pin back to a reasonable weight. It can be dangerous for the next person to use the machine if they attempt to use it and forget to change the weight.

Do not take unconsenting pictures — I feel like this could seem self-explanatory, but I’m not talking about simply not being a creep. Be sure to only take pictures when others are not around and, if necessary, edit people out of pictures before posting. Remember, these people are not consenting to have their picture taken and that should not be taken for granted. 

Do not stare at other gym-goers — It’s easy to think that spacing out in someone’s general direction is harmless, but this can make others feel uncomfortable — even if it is not intentional. Try to be conscious about where one’s eyes are at. 

Do not judge people or correct their form — One might think that helping someone correct their form is going to prevent the other person from injuring themself, but it actually is quite disparaging or even offensive to some gym-goers. Unless an individual is putting themselves in imminent danger, do not approach them. Allow them to figure out their mistakes on their own — it will happen. 

Do not approach people — Read the room. It’s okay to converse with friends in the gym, but many people see the gym as their safe place. People often work out for themselves — they are not there for you. Period. Be sensitive towards those who want to work out uninterrupted and respect their space. 

Personal hygiene — Please be courteous to others in the space. Put on deodorant before sweating it up in the gym. 

Spatial location — One thing that many gym-goers do not think about is the physical space one chooses to occupy. Being cracked out on pre-workout makes it easy to just saunter up and plant oneself on the closest open bench on the mat, but one should take a look at their surroundings beforehand. It is polite to fill in the benches, squat racks or mat spaces like one would choose a urinal. Give space to other people unless no other option is presented — every other is preferred. 

Limit time on equipment — Be sure to only occupy a piece of equipment for the bare minimum of time one needs it, particularly when the gym is busy. I am not a huge fan of working in — taking turns and sharing the equipment — but this is an option if another person is wanting to use the equipment. 

Be respectful to workers — Gym employees do not get paid enough to put up with s–t. Please be kind and courteous to these individuals. If a worker says to do something, do it. Do not linger right up until closing, always leave with five to ten minutes left until closing. 

Now that one is equipped with the knowledge of how to be a respectful gym-goer, go out, be fruitful and multiply. 



Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu




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