Mount Hood

Senior Stress

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Senior year brings a whirlwind of emotions — including excitement to be finished with college; finding a place to move and starting one’s career. At the same time, each of those things can be equally as stressful. Applying a few of the tips below can help ease one’s mind and prevent some potential headaches as graduation grows closer.

Start thinking about the future now — Think about jobs, destinations, living situations, relationships or whatever else that could come into play when starting the post-college journey. Narrowing down one’s career field of choice can be the first step that will determine one’s next destination. What comes into play when picking a place to move to? Is it one’s job, being close to family or a spouse, weather or cost of living? Figuring that out now can help establish what’s important when searching for the perfect place.

While still here, take advantage of opportunities — The lull between now and graduation is prime. The diploma will soon be in hand, but for now, one can sit pretty focusing on coursework, figuring themselves out and exploring what they might want for their future. This is the optimal time to gain some experience and add to one’s resume. Whether that means working a full-time job, an internship or even volunteering in the field of work one is striving to enter, every bit of experience helps. 

Soak it all in — For most of us, this is the end of the long road of education. No more general education credits, math classes or filler courses to take. This last term and a half is it. Take this time to work hard in the final push, put oneself out there and most importantly, make memories that will define one’s college experience. Don’t sweat the small stuff and spend these last few months doing the things one will be pleased to look back on.

Looking for assistance to help one figure all this out? Go on Handshake to make an appointment with one of the Center for Professional Pathways staff members. They offer resume reviews, career counseling, career assessments, internship/practicum advising, job searching mock interviews, graduate school counseling and much more.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Valentine’s Day writing prompts

Written by:  Jude Bokovoy 

No matter what one has planned for Valentine’s Day, there is always a reason to write. If inspiration strikes, pick out one of these prompts and write one’s heart out. 

VALENTINES DAY WRITING PROMPTS

Personal prompts

  • What are a few ways I can show love to others?
  • If love was a color what would it be?
  • What does love mean to me?
  • What does love feel like?
  • Describe your best Valentine’s Day memory.
  • How do I show love to myself?
  • What/who do I love more than anything?
  • Who are two people that I love?
  • What do I bring to my relationship/friendships?
  • Do I prefer to receive love notes or gifts?
  • I deserve to be loved because…
  • What have I learned from love?
  • Write about the person you admire most.
  • Explain whether animals do or don’t feel love.
  • Do you think parents should give their children valentines?
  • Make a list of all the things you have put your heart into.



Fictional prompts

  • You are on the hunt for the person who left the peonies and heartwarming card at your front door.
  • You create the most successful dating app. What makes your app different from all the others?
  • What would the world be like without love?
  • You are the final girl left on The Bachelor, he gets down on one knee and proposes. You get a gut feeling that he isn’t the one for you. What do you do?
  • Write a valentine for your future spouse.
  • Create the ultimate Galentine’s girls day out.
  • Write up a class plan for a fourth grade class for Valentine’s Day. Will they make Valentine’s mailboxes, what will they learn about, will there be games?
  • You’re a wedding photographer but have yet to find your match.
  • In the attic of your new apartment, you find a small red box tied with a bow with a love letter attached to it.
  • Write out the most elaborate proposal you can think of.
  • Write a love story about a couple who’s been together for over 50 years.
  • Plan your future wedding without a budget. 
  • You’re cupid for the day, who do you set up?
  • You own the local flower shop in town. It’s Valentine’s Day, what customers will be popping in?
  • You travel to a place that doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. What will you do to explain and celebrate with them?
  • Write a movie that revolves around Valentine’s Day.
  • Who was the first person to associate the shape of the heart with love?

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Black History Month returns to Western

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, the Multicultural Student Union hosted a two-day celebration to kick start Black History Month — the annual, honorary observance of African-Americans. 

During the event on Feb. 1, MSU — in partnership with the Black Student Union — held a panel featuring Maya Hopwood, Amari Hendrix, Fowzia Abdi, Justice Presley and Professor Mike Wilson. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., students, staff and faculty engaged in a raw, thought-provoking and educational discussion on the experiences of African-Americans in America.

On the second day, a museum put out by MSU was opened for public viewing in the Columbia Room of the Werner University Center. Individuals had the opportunity to learn about African-American figures in history — such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Kobe Bryant. The “Don’t Touch My Hair” display — which has become a custom tradition at Western to showcase — was also available, as well as a display for “Black Pride” and “Black HerStory” — the latter of which showcasing the various historical Black women who produced a remarkable impact. All students were encouraged to attend, regardless of racial identity. 

This year, Black History Month’s central focus is on the theme of Black Resistance. 

The theme explores and calls for discussions regarding African-American’s consistent efforts towards attaining control over their physical and intellectual autonomy through education, literature, politics, legislature and armed resistance. 

BSU is including this theme as a part of their commemoration and for the remainder of February, students have the opportunity to engage in Black History Month through a range of campus events. 

This year, BSU is introducing a few new activities to spark engagement, such as the Black Resistance Gallery, which will be open for viewing Feb. 15. Additionally, as of Feb. 1, “Beyond Having a Black Friend: How to truly support Black people in your life” — a Google Docs form — is open for student, staff and faculty comments. 

To celebrate Black History Month, Abby’s House has put up window displays of black women who have substantially shaped the world. The posters are available for viewing, located outside Abby’s House.

To view the full schedule of events for Black History Month, visit BSU’s Instagram at @woubsu. 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Lighting Up Campus

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Anyone who has stepped foot on the Western campus after dark can attest to the fact that lighting is a frivolous issue. Individuals can not walk down Monmouth Avenue without noticing the pale yellow light that casts eerie shadows across old brick buildings. 

While, just a year ago, murmurs of bringing this issue to the attention of administrators were just the small talk of concerned students, ASWOU has now taken this issue head-on. In collaboration with Public Safety, RHA National Communications Coordinator and ASWOU Senator, David Rodriguez-Tapia, and ASWOU Vice President, Hunter Hall, have taken the first step by identifying locations across campus that are severely lacking in proper lighting. 

Students and faculty alike are enthusiastic about this new development. It is not uncommon for students to claim they do not feel safe walking around campus at night.

Western cheerleader and Campus Ambassador, Rylie Cader, had this to say regarding their experience, “Walking alone in the dark parts of campus is inevitable. This is especially concerning being a woman who needs to walk home alone in the dark from practice. I also enjoy taking walks alone at night as a part of my mental health. I feel safe on campus, but only in the very lit areas. I get paranoid so bad in the darker places on campus — which I find myself in often — very displeasing.”

Cader is not alone. Many students can pinpoint a time when they were made uncomfortable by the absence of lighting around campus.

When behind every shadow — hidden within every dark corner — there is a perceived danger lurking; bringing more lights to campus is just the beginning of bringing peace to these individuals. 

There is still so much more to be done — Public Safety has made note that the resources required to bring their plan to fruition are ones that will only be brought about with time. 

This is a process, but one the members of the Western community can look forward to as the students of Western strive to make their campus a better, safer place. 

“I am glad and honored to work alongside ASWOU and Campus Public Safety in helping the voices of others to be heard and making them feel like we not only as Student Leaders but people who want to see the WOU become a much safer and inclusive place feel more like home and individuals who they can come to and speak their questions, comments and/or concerns,” said Senator Rodriguez-Tapia. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Oregon Launches Largest Annual Food Drive

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Oregon’s largest annual food drive, Governor’s State Employees Food Drive, began accepting donations on Feb. 1. The Food Drive runs through the entire month of February.

Throughout the month, state agencies, commissioners, board members and state employees come together to work in partnership with the Regional Food Banks to support the Oregon Food Bank Network. Many state agencies hold fundraising events to enlist the support of community partners.

Due to adaptations resulting from COVID-19, this year’s Food Drive will take place mostly virtually, allowing agencies the option to participate through online payment methods, such as payroll deductions and check and/or credit card payments. 

The payments are made directly to the Regional Food Bank facilities and stay in the local area in which the donation was made, unless the donor specifically declares the desire for otherwise. The main beneficiaries of the Regional Food Bank’s are the Food Pantry on the Western campus — who receive the majority of their donations from Marion Polk Food Share — and the Ella Curran Food Bank.

State employees may also make a donation by participating in the Governor’s Challenge — by pledging to donate a minimum of $144 to the Food Bank of their choice. The options are an annual, one-time monetary donation of $144 or a continuous monthly donation of $12.

This year, Abby’s House will be leading the drive, with Maria Barrera Diaz — the Basic Needs Coordinator for Abby’s House — as the agency coordinator. 

According to Diaz, the month sees Western departments engaging in a friendly competition to see who can raise the most earnings. At the end of the month, each department’s contributions will be surveyed and the winning department receives a prize in the form of lunch — paid for by Western President Jesse Peters. 

As the Food Drive gets underway, students, staff and faculty can make a difference through in-kind donations. As always, Western’s Food Pantry will be accepting canned food, such as soups, canned fruit and vegetables and other nonperishable items. Contributors can also write a check directly to the Food Pantry.

According to the Governor’s Food Drive’s official page, the most sought after food donations are whole grain foods — pasta, rice, cereal — fruits and vegetables, canned meat, peanut butter and beans.

As an incentive to get people involved, Abby’s House will also be holding a tie-dying event, where anyone who donates food or monetary gifts will receive a shirt to tie-dye. Keep an eye out on their social media for official dates.

State employees have been working towards a hunger-free Oregon since the food drive’s establishment by Governor Vic Atiyeh in 1982.

Western has been a decades long-standing contributor to the Governor’s Food Drive. Although, over the years, Western’s significant contributions to the drive have gradually fallen. In earlier years, Western had donated the most to the Food Drive than any other university institution in Oregon. Now, the title of champion has fallen to Oregon State University.

Nonetheless, Western continues to persevere. Last year at Western, a total of $1296 was raised in support of the Governor’s Food Drive. This amounts to 161 pounds of food; a significant quantity.

For more information on the Governor’s State Employees Food Drive, visit www.oregon.gov/fooddrive. For more information on how to support the Food Drive at Western, individuals can contact Abby’s House at abbyshouse@wou.edu or the Food Pantry at foodpantry@wou.edu.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Super Bowl LVII

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

Super Bowl LVII kicks off this Sunday, Feb. 12, 3:30 pm PST, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs will be facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

For uniform schemes, the Eagles are considered the “home” team and will be wearing their dark green “home” uniforms, since the National Football Conference (NFC) team is always the designated home team in odd-numbered Super Bowls.

This will be Kansas City’s third championship appearance in the past three years, with their last victory taken in Super Bowl LIV. They are led by longtime head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Partick Mahomes.

The Eagle’s last championship victory occurred just two years earlier in Super Bowl LII. Since then, Philadelphia has acquired a new quarterback, Jalen Hurts, as well as a new head coach, Nick Sirianni, making them a far different team than before.

One of the biggest storylines highlighted in this year’s Super Bowl is the famous Kelce brothers going head-to-head. Travis Kelce is the starting tight end for the Chiefs and is a six-time pro bowler. Jason Kelce is the center for the Eagles and is a two-time pro bowler who is often considered the backbone of the Eagles’ star-studded offensive line. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the brothers played football together at the University of Cincinnati and were drafted into the National Football League just two years apart. Today, the brothers co-host the “New Heights” podcast and are vocal about their sibling relationship.

The festivities for the Super Bowl have already kicked off, with media days having started Monday, Feb. 7. The highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show will feature Rihanna. No matter the outcome, NFL fans are suspected to be in for an electric afternoon of championship football.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

A Closer Look at Lana Del Ray

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

Lana Del Rey is an American singer, songwriter and record producer, whose real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. Del Rey rose to fame in 2011 with her debut single “Video Games” and, shortly after, the album “Born to Die.” She is most well known for her melancholic style of pop music.

The artist was born into an upper-middle-class family in upstate New York in the 1980s. Growing up singing in church, Del Rey was later sent to a boarding school as a teenager for her deviant behavior. It wasn’t until a couple of years after she finished school that she started her music career.

Del Rey has received both critical acclaim and criticism throughout her career. Many dislike her because of her image and persona — which they view as inauthentic or manufactured. Others take issue with her lyrics and the themes she often explores, such as Hollywood glamor, sadness and drug use.

Del Rey’s  biggest criticism early  in her career came from many questioning her authenticity. Despite being labeled as an indie artist, her 2008 debut EP, released under the name “Lizzy Grant,” was produced by well-known figure David Kane. When she later changed her stage name to Lana Del Rey and moved to London after a failed album in 2010, the internet quickly flooded with claims of her new persona being fabricated by label executives.

Despite the criticism, Lana Del Rey has grown to become an incredibly successful and influential artist. Her music has been praised for its haunting beauty, melancholic lyrics and vintage aesthetic. Her albums have topped the charts in multiple countries and sold millions of records worldwide. She has won several awards and has gone multi-platinum with many of her albums — solidifying her place in the music industry. 

Whether or not Lana Del Rey’s image and persona are authentic is irrelevant. What matters is the impact she has had on the music industry and the emotions her music evokes in her listeners. Love her or hate her, there’s no denying that Lana Del Rey is a unique and impactful artist.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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