Mount Hood

Make 2023 your Best Year Yet

Written by: Jude Bokovoy 

2023 may mean many different things to people. This could be your graduation year, the year one gets their first apartment, or any other milestone, however, it can also bring a lot of uncertainty. Start the new year on a high note with these helpful tips below. 

Clear one’s mindset — Whether it’s core values, passions or aspirations — focus on what is important. Three ways that can help one get into a clear headspace is through meditation, prayer or brainstorming.

Get organized — This can be a key component of staying on track and motivated to pursue each day with confidence. Having a planner can help one stay on top of tasks throughout the week while adding unexpected agendas. Getting into a routine is also a great way to get back into the swing of a busy schedule.

Make plans — Get out there. Keep up with relationships by setting aside time to do activities with the people that mean the most to you. This could be as simple as going to a Western home game or as adventurous as taking a trip.

Have the conversations one’s been putting off — At times it can be difficult to start a serious conversation, especially one that has been cast aside. It is important for oneself and the people involved to know what’s truly going on. Whether it is standing up for oneself, starting a relationship or asking for a raise. Who knows? The other person may just be thinking the same thing. 

Do everything wholeheartedly — Narrowing down one’s schedule to their passions and needs can allow the opportunity to put their all into tasks. Putting one’s full effort into their schoolwork, job or sport can help gain achievements, open doors and exude more passion. 

Experiment with classes — There are so many different courses provided by Western. Some intriguing courses may fall outside of one’s major or minor requirements. Fear not, Western’s team of advisors do an excellent job at moving courses around to fit one’s desired outcomes. So take those classes and learn about areas of interest. The knowledge can easily be beneficial later on in life, and you may find a new academic passion.

Get on top of one’s degree tracks — Because Western allows independence when it comes to planning out one’s schedule, it can be easy to fall behind. This is why it is important to make sure one is taking the correct amount of courses each term to graduate according to their plan. Take prerequisites for required courses, take courses that apply to one’s desired career and experimental interests, as well as leaving room for light terms for one’s busy seasons outside of school. 

Set goals — When setting goals, make sure that they can be achieved independently. People may often rely on other people to reach their goals unknowingly. To avoid doing this, one can alter their goals from “win our next game” to “shoot seven three-pointers,” or “make more friends” to “put oneself out there” and so on. No goal is too big or  too small, all that matters is that it pushes one and gives one something to look forward to. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

The Year in Review

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Content warning: contains mentions of distressing content

From the rising of prices due to inflation, to the onslaught of a major catastrophic invasion, 2022 has been a year plagued with tragedy and chaos. 2022 contained some of the most destructive events in recent history — a result of humanity at its lowest point. 

In early January 2022, it was revealed that the United States had reached a new record of COVID-19 cases. Omicron, the most prevalent COVID variant thus far, accounted for 95% of such COVID cases. 

However, it was not until Jan. 31 that omicron was officially declared a health emergency, forcing many countries to enforce restrictive steps.

February saw Russian troops entering Ukrainian territory for a “special military operation,” acting on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Two days later, on Feb. 24, Russian missiles and airstrikes hit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as well as several other Ukrainian cities. 

On that same day, Feb. 24, the U.S. and its allies came to the decision to impose strict sanctions against Russia — with the aim to cut off their economy from the world.

Frustrated with the results of their Ukraine invasion, Russian troops took to a different military approach— targeting civilian areas. As of early 2023, the conflict in Ukraine has yet to be resolved.

On Mar. 7, more heartbreaking news came to light. The global death toll for COVID surpassed six million.

In April, two years after the pandemic was originally declared, the U.S. finally left the pandemic stage. 

The month of May left millions across the country angry and heartbroken. On May 14, a gunman shot 13 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing ten and wounding three. Merely ten days later, a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two teachers.

Then, just as the world began to feel the loosening restraints of the COVID pandemic, the United States saw prices hit by inflation, with food and fuel accounting for over half of inflation. Accelerating inflation was a tight labor market, a result of lingering COVID health risks. In June, inflation peaked at a record high of 9.1%.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade made history in June of 2022, reversing the landmark piece of legislation that guaranteed federal rights to abortions, and consequently creating a tremulous political and societal shift amid rising tensions.

In July, the World Health Organization, also known as WHO, officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency, leaving national media and the public in a state of panic. Later, the death of Al Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri — who aided in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks —  was announced to the public. 

Former president Donald Trump was subjected to an FBI search of his Mar-A-Lago, Florida home on Aug. 8, seizing multiple boxes of classified materials. Meanwhile, in the White House, President Joe Biden announced his plans to forgive a large majority of student loan debt.

On Sept. 8, the death of British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II was announced, sending a ripple of shock both nationally and internationally. The Queen was 96 years old.

On Sept. 17, civil rights protests erupted in Iran as a response to the death of Masha Imini, a woman detained by Iran’s morality police after allegedly wearing her hijab in an “inappropriate” manner. 

In the midst of inflation and unemployment, October saw Elon Musk taking over Twitter, followed by a giant round of layoffs and societal backlash.

The small college town of Moscow, Idaho was left reeling after four University of Idaho students were found murdered in their home on Nov. 13. It would take nearly two months, on Dec. 31, for the police to identify and arrest suspect Bryan Kohberger and charge him with four counts of first-degree murder.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Love for 3

Written by:Nicholas Sarysz

Buffalo Bills’ Safety, Damar Hamlin, suffered cardiac arrest just eight minutes into the first Monday Night Football game of the year. Medical professional Denny Kellington performed CPR and administered a defibrillator within minutes of the initial tackle that led to Hamlin’s collapse. 

The scene on the field was one of sadness and horror, as players and fans were clearly in no state of mind to continue with the game. On the television broadcast, announcers were left with minimal knowledge of the situation, leaving fans at home in a state of confusion and fear for most of the evening.

Shortly after the injury, both teams and the officials were told they had to prepare to finish the game. About an hour later, it was decided it was in everyone’s best interest to postpone the game — which the National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell, eventually decided to cancel.

This is the first game in NFL history to be postponed and canceled due to a traumatic injury to a player. Multiple times this season there have been serious injuries that teams have been required to play through, most notably quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s week four concussion. The controversy surrounding the NFL and its lack of regard for player safety likely played a role in the Damar Hamlin situation.

The 24-year-old from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, remained in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for eight days following the incident. Hamlin was then transported to the Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute to continue his recovery. The medical center plans to perform tests and observations in order to determine more specifics on the cause of Hamlin’s injury, as well as when he will be fit for release.

The Bills played their final game this Sunday, Jan. 1 against the New England Patriots. The players supported Hamlin by wearing number three patches on their jerseys, and fans displayed their support with signs and cheers. Their first playoff game is Sunday, Jan. 15 where they will face off against the Miami Dolphins, which they hope Hamlin will be able to watch from the comfort of his own home.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Witness Western Wins

Written by: Jude Bokovoy 

There are many reasons for students to attend Western home games. Going to home games provides a way to support student-athletes and show school spirit. The games are a great place to hang out with friends or go on a fun weekend date. On top of that, all home games are free to attend for Western students. Many of the 2023 basketball games have interactive flair such as fan color coordination, cheerleaders to rile up the crowd, halftime shows and other activities. Check out the list below to fill one’s calendar with home games to attend this term.

Men’s Basketball

  • Jan 19 at 5:15 p.m. versus University of Alaska Anchorage (Yellow Out)
  • Jan 21 at 4:15 p.m. versus University of Alaska Fairbanks (Red Out)
  • Feb 9 at 7:30 p.m. versus Montana State University Billings (Black History Month celebration game)
  • Feb 11 at 4:15 p.m. versus Seattle Pacific University (SAAC Game)
  • Feb 23 at 7:30 p.m. versus Northwest Nazarene University (White Out)
  • Feb 25 at 4:15 p.m. versus Central Washington University (Senior Day)

Women’s Basketball

  • Jan 19 at 7:30 p.m. versus University of Alaska Anchorage (Yellow Out)
  • Jan 21 at 2 p.m. versus University of Alaska Fairbanks (Red Out)
  • Jan 28 at 2 p.m. versus Saint Martin’s University (Title IX 50 year anniversary game)
  • Feb 9 at 5:15 p.m. versus Western Washington University (Black History Month celebration game)
  • Feb 11 at 2 p.m. versus Simon Fraser University (SAAC game)
  • Feb 23 at 5:15 p.m. versus Northwest Nazarene University (White Out)
  • Feb 25 at 2 p.m. versus Central Washington University (Senior Day)

Cheerleading

  • Jan 19 at men’s basketball at 5:15 p.m., women’s basketball at 7:30 p.m. (Yellow Out)
  • Jan 21 at women’s basketball at 2 p.m., men’s basketball at 4:15 p.m (Red Out)
  • Feb 9 at women’s basketball at 5:15 p.m., men’s basketball at 7:30 p.m. (Black History Month celebration game)
  • Feb 11 at women’s basketball at 2 p.m., men’s basketball at 4:15 p.m. (SAAC game)
  • Feb 23 at women’s basketball at 5:15 p.m., men’s basketball at 7:30 p.m (Senior Day and White Out)

Baseball

  • Feb 18 at 11 a.m. versus Eastern Oregon University
  • Feb 19 at 11 a.m. versus Eastern Oregon University
  • Mar 3 at 12 p.m. versus Northwest Nazarene University
  • Mar 4 at 12 p.m. versus Northwest Nazarene University
  • Mar 7 versus George Fox University
  • Mar 11 at 12 p.m. versus Central Washington University
  • Mar 12 at 12 p.m. versus Central Washington University
  • Mar 15 at 2 p.m. versus Bushnell University

Softball

  • Feb 1 at 11 a.m. versus Bushnell University
  • Feb 25 at 11 a.m. versus Central Washington University
  • Feb 26 at 11 a.m. versus Central Washington University

Track and Field

  • Mar 4 at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

What is Happening Over at Twitter?

Written by: Mirella Barrera

On April 25, 2022, Twitter announced its plans for Elon Musk to take ownership of the platform — a deal that valued the company at $44 billion.

Since CEO Musk’s Twitter takeover, a plethora of changes have been made to the “microblogging” platform, the recent of which includes long-form tweets — allowing users to tweet a whopping 4,000 characters. 

Other changes enacted include the option for users to receive a blue verification mark — previously only available for celebrities, politicians and other public figures — for a monthly subscription of $8. Twitter Blue, as the subscription was dubbed, was suspended after a string of accounts attempted to impersonate public figures, including Musk himself. The feature was relaunched in December, with more thorough review of accounts.

Such changes to the platform brought forth backlash from many Twitter users, with many arguing that the alterations would take away from the platform’s main appeal; tweets that are short and to the point.

Aiding the turmoil were a mix of erratic decisions made by the company, from laying off more than half of its employees to the reinstatement of former President Donald Trump’s Twitter account. 

On Saturday, Jan. 7, laid off employees finally received their severance payments, after Musk promised these employees would receive three months of severance compensation. However, the compensation turned out to be much less than anticipated.

In late 2022, with a shocking statement, Musk revealed that he would be resigning from the role of CEO of Twitter after tweeting a Twitter poll posing the question, “Should I step down as head of Twitter?” The poll has since closed, with 57% out of nearly 18k of users voting “Yes.” 

Since, Musk has confirmed that he will be stepping down as chief executive and has begun the search for his replacement. Although no timeline has been given, it is evident that Musk will remain a prominent figure at the company.

The chaos and disarray at Twitter eventually bled into Tesla’s shares. A large portion of Musk’s — who is also chief executive at Tesla and SpaceX — wealth is attributed to the electric car company. Since Musk’s takeover of the company, Tesla’s shares have fallen significantly, losing 65% of its stock value in 2022.

This is bad news for Musk, whose net worth has fallen below that of Bernard Arnault, CEO and chair of LVMH — a luxury good’s company. On Jan. 10, Guinness World Record recognized Musk as the person with the largest drop in net worth.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

End if the Term Concert

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Despite the term coming to an end and finals rapidly approaching, students involved in various forms of music are preparing for more than dreary tests and extensive essays. Every term, Western’s many music ensembles put on performances and, regardless of the extra stress of finals, pour their hearts out in an accumulative display of hard work, skill and talent. Checkout these upcoming concerts.   

Jazz Ensembles Concert

Where: Rice Auditorium 

When: Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by: Adam Harris

Wind Ensemble Concert

Where: Rice Auditorium

When: Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by: Dr. Kevin Walczyk

Western Oregon Voices Concert

Where: Smith Music Hall

When: Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by: Dr. Claire Hudkins

To reserve or purchase tickets for any or all of these performances, visit wou.edu/tickets. Western students may attend for free with their student ID. General admission is $10, seniors and veterans are $5 and non-Western students are only charged $1. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu



Review: “Disenchanted”

Written by:  Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Content warning: this article contains spoilers

“Disenchanted” was released on Disney Plus Friday, Nov. 18, fifteen years after the release of the first film that took the world by storm.

In this sequel to the original film, “Enchanted,” Amy Adams returns as Giselle, the princess from a magical land turned regular New York City resident, as she and her growing family begin anew in the suburban town of Monroeville. 

Frustrated that her happily ever after has proven to be more difficult to find than she expected, Giselle turns to the magic of her home, Andalasia, accidentally throwing the real world and Andalasia off balance.

Having grown up with the first “Enchanted” film, I had high expectations for the sequel. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was ten years old, begging my mother to buy the “Enchanted” DVD so that I could rewatch it as many times as I pleased.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed. 

While Amy Adams is as talented and enchanting as ever — in fact, at times, the sole element keeping the film afloat —“Disenchanted” severely lacks the magic that made the first film so timeless and remarkable. It seemed the writers of the sequel attempted to cater too much to the younger generation, rather than the generation, who are now adults, that had fallen in love with the classic film 15 years ago.

Although this movie is a shadow of the first film, there were one or two particularly memorable moments — beginning with the songs. 

It was delightfully surprising to hear Idina Menzel’s singing voice again in, what became my favorite track of the film, “Love Power.”

While the cast is noticeably much older, it is certainly not the element that takes away from the magic of the film, but rather makes the film feel more realistic through demonstrating just how much time has passed since the release of the first film.

Though, I have to give credit where credit is due. The film emphasized the relationship of family over romance, presenting a beautiful message that individuals of any age could take with them: be grateful for what you have.

Overall, both films were great as their own separate entities, just not together.

7.5/10.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



Holiday Happenings

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – try a few of these activities to create some cheer. Whether one is religious, nonreligious, a homebody or adventurous, there is always a way to celebrate the holidays.

Ice skating — Very similar to roller skating, ice skating can be a great way to spend time with family, friends or even a date. Portland’s Lloyd Center is a great skate spot. Best of all, they have a beautiful gigantic Christmas tree right in the middle of the rink. For events, hours and pricing visit their website at lloydice.com. 

Decorate a gingerbread house — What better way to spend an evening with loved ones than by creating an intricate treat to display? There are many different themes, structures and candy selections that can be used to customize one’s house. 

Secret Santa — This is a great activity and reason for new and old friends to get together. Secret Santa’s are easy to arrange if one sets a budget, sends out the results via the app Santa’s Secret Keeper and has everyone name some gift ideas they would enjoy. Turn it into a longer celebration by having a meal together and watching a festive movie.

Christmas lights in Keizer — Each year the Keizer Police Department hosts a food drive in an extremely lit up neighborhood. Nearly every house in each cul-de-sac is decorated with lights, inflatable decorations, music, nativity scenes and so much more. This neighborhood is marked with a street sign that reads “Holiday Lights” and is guided by lit up police snowmen signs.

Shop for decorations — It is very easy to get overwhelmed with all the decorations and stores to choose from when looking to make one’s home jolly. Hobby Lobby in Salem and Albany is full of amazing decorations, trees, pillows and much more for 20-60% off. But once the Thanksgiving feast is devoured, so are their shelves.

Holiday movies — One of the easiest ways to unwind and get into the holiday spirit is by watching a nostalgic holiday movie. Some festive options include “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “A Christmas Story.”

Find a Christmas tree — Whether it’s in the forest, at a tree farm or in a store, the perfect Christmas tree is waiting to be picked. To ensure the best outcome, measure the height and width of the place a tree will be placed in one’s home before buying.

Make snowflakes — Paper snowflakes are just the thing to spruce up any environment. Since they’re easy to create, require minimal supplies and look like real snowflakes, this craft is truly one of a kind. 

Deck the halls — The time has finally come to completely remodel one’s home into a winter wonderland. Some key elements to keep in mind are planning a consistent color scheme so decorations don’t clash, making sure everyone in the household likes the decor and most importantly, having fun while decorating. 

Christmas Eve service —- For some, Jesus is the reason for the season. A good way to celebrate and feel more connected to a church community is by attending a Christmas Eve service.

Make a winter dessert — Sweet treats fill one’s home with great smells, allow one to share with others and create something to look forward to until they’re all eaten up. Follow this recipe for Winter Forest Cupcakes — they won’t disappoint. 

WINTER FOREST CUPCAKES

Start to finish:

Yields: 24 cupcakes

1 package chocolate cake mix

3 eggs

1 ¼ cups water

½ cup vegetable oil

30 mini waffle cone ends (amount may vary depending on decorative preference. These can be found at Trader Joes or Grocery Outlet)

1 cup white frosting

1 cup powdered sugar

10 drops green food coloring

Start by preheating the oven to 325℉. Combine cupcake mix, eggs and oil in a large bowl. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners, then fill with mixture till ⅔ full. Bake for 15–20 minutes, then leave out to cool. Using a piping bag and a round tip, create a swirl with white frosting leaving an empty border. Place the desired amount of cone ends with the point facing up. Divide the remaining white frosting into as many different bowls as one would like shades of green. Add drops of green and blue food coloring to each bowl until desired shades are acquired. Frost each cone using a small star tip tool, creating spikes that represent a douglas fur tree. If only using one piping bag for each shade of green, start by completing the trees in the lightest shade then transition to the darkest. To finish, dust each cupcake with powdered sugar to create a tasty, snowy scene. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu





Holiday Article

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

While holiday festivities are something many look forward to, not everyone feels enthusiastic about them, nor should they have to. After all, it’s usually no fun being vigorously told “Merry Christmas” by boomers who assume your personal holiday traditions are the same, waiting for the same greeting in response.

Family gatherings, along with the traditional facade that all is merry and bright, can be a dreadful combination that many understandably avoid.

There are holiday activities for those who are social and excited, but what about those that want to avoid all the commotion? There are still plenty of alternative activities, which include, but are not limited to, gaming, binge-watching, learning a new hobby or skill and enjoying seasonal delicacies.

Playing video games, despite being a popular year-round activity, can get much more exciting during the holidays. It’s a fully indoor activity, which is crucial given the dreary winter weather. Many platforms have in-game events, as well as special unlocks, challenges and collectibles to commemorate the holidays. For multiplayer games, lobbies fill up quicker and competition is bountiful as many businesses are closed and students are home from school. 

For gamers hoping to try something new, sales extend far further than just Black Friday. Many major platforms, notably Steam, have a holiday sale deep into December.

The high volume of sales in the gaming industry doesn’t stop behind the screen, as many tabletop and card games hold different events during the winter as well. These types of games usually require more time to understand and can get expensive depending on how someone likes to play, which makes winter a great time to dive into something new.

Those who don’t want to spend as much time gaming can utilize their free time to catch up on that list of shows and podcasts that homework always interferes with. After all, everyone might as well use their best friend’s-third-cousin’s Netflix password they asked for two years ago.

The solitude that comes with winter is also one of the best times to pick up a completely new hobby. 

Some popular indoor hobbies include reading, plant care, organization and exercise. While you can do your own research for a new hobby, many locally run stores in the surrounding area would appreciate the support and can be very helpful in getting started.

If one is looking to be more productive during the winter, it may be a good time to try and pick up a new skill. Some skills one can learn during their free time include learning another language, cooking, sewing and computer coding.

For those that want to do nothing — which is understandable for a long winter break — the holidays can provide that break. Plus, they come with seasonal food and drinks that can be enjoyed in seclusion as much as they can be enjoyed with others. This is especially true for those with a sweet tooth, as the season is filled with gingerbread, sugar cookies, hot chocolate and much more.

While the holidays themselves may not be everyone’s favorite, there is always something to enjoy… even if that happens to be avoiding anything to do with the holidays.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@mail.wou.edu



Abby’s House Silent Auction

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, Western’s Abby’s House will be holding their largest annual fundraising event of the year — just in time for Christmas.

In the days leading up to the Silent Auction, Abby’s House requests donations from the community, including local businesses and city residents. These donations can range from themed gift baskets, gift certificates to local businesses, wine pulls, and tickets to a plethora of  events, with everything from live theater to amusement park admission. 

The money received in donations to Abby’s House are split between two charitable contributions. 

This includes the Jeanne Dean Abby’s House Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded every year to 1 or 2 Western students. It is 100% financed by fundraisers held by Abby’s House — primarily the Silent Auction. 

While the scholarship is not included alongside Western’s general scholarship application, the scholarship is open for all eligible students, with the condition that the recipient must volunteer at Abby’s House a minimum of five hours per week each term throughout the following academic year.

Abby’s House also has its own Abby’s House Foundation where proceeds fund future events, as well as other fundraisers and new furniture for Abby’s House’s office.

During the two days of the Silent Auction, members of the local community, including students, can bid on items provided by donation.

The way it works is simple. Every item in the auction will have its own bidding sheet, where participants can write their name and the amount they wish to bid. In typical auction procedure, the individual with the highest bid over the two days wins. 

According to the Director of Abby’s House, Kristen Perry, there were tweaks made to the system in order to make the process run a bit more smoothly and fairly.

“We may have some one day bid sections, one table might only be able to be bid on Thursday, and one on Friday, so that anyone unable to make it on Friday can still potentially win a basket,” said Perry. “This can get pretty competitive, and people even send representatives to bid on their behalf if they can’t make it!”

If they do not want to bid on items, there are other ways participants can “win” prizes. There is a mystery wine pull — participants must be 21 or older — available for purchase for $20, Abby’s House mugs and a packet of hot chocolate for only $10 and the option for a “blind date with a book” for $3, in which the book is wrapped to conceal its title..

The Silent Auction will be held in the Abby’s House office, located on the first floor of the Werner University Center, room 106, on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Students are welcome to walk around and enjoy the complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, or bid on any item they wish.

Spread the word to support local scholarships and Holiday cheer.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu