Mount Hood

Folk musician John Gorka visits Western

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

John Gorka was born into the world of music in a small coffeehouse in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. The coffeehouse, Godfrey Daniels, was a hotspot for musicians and a place that Gorka frequented often, even living in the basement for a time. There at Godfrey Daniels, he met a myriad of musicians who inspired him and he quickly started writing his own music.

Gorka’s first album, “I Know,” was released in 1987. He released his 14th album on January 19, 2018.

Gorka visited Western on Jan. 18 as a visiting artist. As part of the Smith’s Fine Arts series, Gorka came to play his music and share the wisdom he has gathered through his years of making music and touring.

“Of course, I’ve been influenced by mainstream stuff. But I think of myself as something of an insider, and I have always felt that it was better to really strongly affect a small number of people, than to reach a big number of people only superficially or temporarily,” said Gorka in a story in the Huffington Post by journalist Brian D’Ambrosio.

Gorka’s songs are strongly characterized by the storytelling element. Each song takes the listener on a journey. Songs like “Mennonite Girl” and “Edgar the Party Man” are both examples that show off Gorka’s storytelling abilities. Along with his more structured, storytelling songs, Gorka has multiple pieces that are more funny and lighthearted, like “People my Age” and “Like my Watch.” On stage, Gorka is jovial, cracking jokes and telling stories about his travels and his music career.

Behind the scenes, however, Gorka is shy and subdued. Earlier in the afternoon on Friday, Jan 19, Gorka held a song writing workshop to impart his knowledge of the craft and share his writing techniques. He often deflected attention to his instruments and his songs.

“Personally, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone,” commented Sage Kiernan-Sherrow, a junior pursuing an English degree with a literature concentration.

“What I got out of it was that you have to be comfortable forcing yourself to create even when you don’t want to,” said Kiernan-Sherrow, “and experimenting with your work when you’re stuck.”

The songs of John Gorka are clearly products of many different influences, but they all have a strong theme of honesty through each one of them. Each melody, each lyric, feels like a secret memory or poem. Gorka’s music can be found on Spotify and iTunes. His website can be found at johngorka.com.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Book review: “The Water Cure”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“If the men come to you, show yourself some mercy. Don’t stick around and wait for them to put you out of your misery.” These are the words of King, the caretaker and creator of a supposedly utopian compound in a world that is plagued by male violence and intense radiation. Here, with their mother, three women liver: Grace, Lia and Sky. King has vanished, apparently killed by the dangerous world outside.

Only Grace still has faint memories of the outside world. Lia and Sky were too young to know what the world is really like. Convinced from a young age that certain death awaited them beyond the borders of the compound, the girls stay with their mother and reminisce about the past, about the years when women would travel to them by sea to be healed.

In order to be cleansed, guests would endure different “therapies” of King’s own design. These included purging, being held underwater for as long as possible before drowning, and burning effigies representative of each woman’s trauma. These all led up to a final therapy — the water cure. For a final time, a woman deemed truly healed would be held underwater within an inch of drowning; if she survived, she was ready, and would travel back into the world.

Grace, Lia and Sky grew up enduring these therapies, all the while learning of the violent and chaotic nature of men, who would hurt you if they got the opportunity. When three men wash up on their shore, tensions rise and the sisters are forced to adapt to their new lives among them. When their mother disappears, the girls start to understand their own strength and capacity for desire.

Author Mackintosh’s descriptive ability and complex writing makes this novel intriguing. The many layers and metaphors in the novel deserve a comprehensive analysis. The distinctive voices of Grace and Lia, who take turns narrating the book, alternate so fluidly and naturally. Mackintosh clearly has a strong command of language. The fact that “The Water Cure” is her first novel is very promising.

Overall Rating: I would strongly recommend this book, but would advise caution. There is some imagery of abuse and sexual assault that could adversely affect some readers.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of penguin.co.uk

The history of Western’s wrestling program

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

Oregon Normal School campus, Monmouth, Oregon, fall of 1927, a handful of bright eyed and hopeful Normal School men looked to bring a new sport to the campus. A small school with only a couple of sports and no mascot became host to one of Oregon’s first wrestling programs. These men started what would be known later as the “Neck Snappers,” the “Back Breakers” — the Monmouth Mat Men.

At the start of the new school year, a group of Normal school men gathered together to start a wrestling team. In its first year as a program, the team never saw a match outside of friendly intra team sparring on the Normal school campus, but in the years to come, the rag tag group of fighters started to develop a reputation.

Great Depression era Oregon was host to only a handful of colleges with wrestling programs. This lack of teams meant the Monmouth Mat Men were forced to bout with untraditional opponents. Ranging from local Portland YMCA’s to Corvallis High school, the Mat Men were ready to take on anyone.

The 1930’s Lamron, Western’s newspaper at the time, was packed full of the weekly action of the wrestlers, and in some cases, showcased the brutality of the sport. It was common to find infirmary updates highlighting the names of wrestlers. From twisted ankles to broken ribs, the Mat Men cemented a reputation of being hardened fighters. But come 1991, there was one opponent that no man could defeat.

Western Oregon State College campus, Monmouth, Oregon, winter of 1990, a team of 27  Western Oregon State College wrestlers began their season as normal. Coaches began to plan for the upcoming meets, wrestlers worked to get in peak condition, and only 20 miles away in a Salem government building, a new measure was making its way onto the upcoming ballot.

Measure 5 aimed to make changes to the property taxes and public school funding within the state. However, these changes would be devastating to a nearly 65 year old program. Rumors started to stir around campus that if Measure 5 was passed, a slew of programs across the campus would be cut. On the rumor mill’s chopping block — was the once mighty Mat Men.

Despite the possibility of losing their team, the Wolves still fought valiantly every meet. As the season grew on and the Oregon state ballots began to be tallied, the wrestlers never surrendered.

In November of 1990, election results started being published — Measure 5 was officially passed. With the new measure over property tax becoming law, school officials had difficult decisions to make.

Despite the new instability of their future, across campus in New PE gym, there was only one fight on the mind of the Mat Men — the National Championship. Four wrestlers were invited to take the trip to Butte, Montana: sophomore Dan Ward, junior Dennis Moore and first-year Jason Ingram. Unsure of the future of their program, the wrestlers geared up and headed out. But little did they know, this would be the last time they, or anyone, would don the red and black singlet for the Wolves.

Upon arriving back home, the Western Star, formerly the Lamron, ran a short, but blunt, message in Volume 2 Issue 17 from Feb. 28, 1991 — “… wrestling had been cut at WOSC in the wake of Measure 5.” The team had decades of seasons full of hard fought wins, but in the fight that mattered most, the Wolves fell short. The 1990-1991 season was the last season of wrestling was recognized as varsity sport. Today, wrestling survives as a club sport on the Western campus.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of omeka.wou.edu

Women’s basketball’s losing streak is snapped

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

Coming off a double digit loss in their last home game and their second loss in a row, the Wolves needed to right their ship if they wanted any hope of a postseason. Sitting at eighth in the GNAC, Western was desperate for a conference win on Jan. 19. In the first of two Western home games in the night, the Wolves took the court against last place Alaska Fairbanks University.

From the first tip off it was evident that Western was playing at a much higher level than the Nanooks. A swift 10 point run took the Wolves to a double digit lead before Alaska Fairbanks scored a single point. A three pointer and a pair of jumpers helped the Nanooks narrow the margin to five, but this was no worry for the Wolves. The first quarter finished as it started, with Western on top by 10.

The second quarter turned into a shooting gallery for Western. Layups were followed by three pointers which were followed by jumpers, then followed by more layups. There seemed to be no answer by the Nanooks for Western’s relentless shooting as the Wolves kept extending their lead.

After the half, what was once considered a basketball game devolved into an all out massacre. Western’s deadly offense pushed the lead to higher and higher margins. Starting the half with a whopping 25 point lead, the Wolves blew past the defense of the Nanooks to finish the 3rd quarter with an immense 37 point lead, more than doubling the score of Alaska Fairbanks.

The 4th quarter saw the Nanooks show some signs of life by bringing the lead back to only 29 points by the end of the game. But the game was seemingly over before it started. Western snapped their losing streak and finished the night on top with a final score of 79-50. Their next home match is Feb. 7 against Western Washington University.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Men’s basketball win a Saturday night fight

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

After a disappointing at home loss to the 23rd ranked Saint Martin’s Saints on Jan. 17, the Wolves suited up for their next in-conference opponent Seattle Pacific on Jan. 19. The men’s team took the court after the finish of the women’s game for alumni night. While the Falcons weren’t nationally ranked, the Wolves were still up against a tough opponent.

Western got off to a slightly rocky start with a pair of missed shots and a Seattle Pacific layup, but bounced back quickly with a three-pointer to hop in front of the Falcons. The lead was only held for a few moments by the Wolves as the Falcons sank another shot to pull ahead.

With the Wolves missing back to back threes, Western started to see the offense of Seattle Pacific take advantage. A four-point Falcon lead was quickly brought back to just a one shot game by the Wolves before Western quickly sank another shot to tie. Both teams duked it out shot for shot with each other as the lead never expanded beyond four points.

After a six minute run of being without the lead, a layup finally brought the Wolves back on top. But that lead would only last for a few moments before being snatched back by the Falcons. The game started to take on the theme of a heavyweight bout with both teams trading blows. As one side took the lead, the next possession would end with the opposing team on top. After a grueling 20 minute half, the Wolves left for the locker room down by four.

Right out of the gates of the second half the Wolves again brought the lead back to only a single point with a deep three. But a Falcon’s three would bring their lead back to four. Following the back and forth nature of the games, the Wolves fought back to a tie with a pair of free throws and a layup.  

After another over five minute stint trailing, a Western three-pointer put the Wolves back on top. This would be the Wolves first lead since the 2:30 mark in the first half. But this time, the Wolves weren’t ready to give it up.

Deadly outside shooting from the Wolves helped extend their lead to five, the largest margin of the game. Just like the first half however, the Falcons knocked the score back to even. Only 10 minutes remained and the score kept switching between being a slight Western lead to a deadlocked tie.  

Finally, with only seven minutes left to play, the Wolves took a lead that stuck. A barrage of Western shots helped push the lead to six before a final last second push from Seattle Pacific shrank the score back to a single point lead. With only a second to play, a pair of free throws put the Wolves just out of reach.

In a game that had nearly 20 lead changes, the Wolves finished the night on top 73-71. The gripping action of the night showed Western has a lot of fight left late in the season. After the win over Seattle Pacific, the Wolves climb to third in the GNAC standings, sitting just below Saint Martin’s and Northwest Nazarene. Western travels to play Central Washington University for their next match on Jan. 24.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

A blast from the past: 163 years of Western

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

As an institution, Western Oregon University has a rich history that extends back to 1856 — three years before Oregon even became a state. Starting out as Monmouth University, the school as it is known today has experienced a great deal of growth and development since its founding with a total of seven different name changes.

On Jan. 18, Western commemorated its 163rd birthday with free cake and a visit with Wolfie for anyone who was interested in celebrating with their community.

According to Western’s website, the university as it is today has 5,382 students in total enrollment as well as 52 majors and 74 registered student organizations.

But it hasn’t always been that way.

Looking back at the earliest yearbooks in Western’s archives, there are a number of notable ways in which the dynamics and culture of the organization have evolved over time.

“A brief perusal of the roll of graduates published in the annual catalogue will disclose the fact that 780 men and women have completed the course during the past 22 years,” stated The Courier, Western’s oldest yearbook on record that was published in December of 1905. This number, when compared with even just the current enrollment of the school, briefly highlights the extent to which the university has grown over the last century.

However, even though Western has developed a great deal since its founding, it can be observed that there are activities and values that have persevered over time:

“One afternoon in early June the students were all out on the campus, the boys playing lawn tennis and the girls promenading in the shade of the magnificent grove that shadowed the school building, while peals of merry laughter rang out, mingled with the voices of the tennis players,” said the December issue of The Courier from 1906. This description, although worded more formally, does not sound unlike a typical spring afternoon in the Grove today.

So, while students from the early days of Western often participated in literary societies like “The Delphians,” “The Normals” and “The Vespertines,” students today frequently feel connected to the community through a Greek organization, an intramural team, a club or a leadership group.

Fundamentally speaking, the values and goals that the city of Monmouth has held haven’t seemed to have shifted all that much throughout the years.

“Enter heartily into the student affairs,” suggested President E. D. Ressler in 1906. “To be sure these are the incidental of your school life, but they also form the centers around which in after years cluster the fondest memories.”

The university president also went on to describe the integrity that students and faculty alike ought to work towards in the pursuit of higher education.

“Strive to attain the ideals presented both in the class room and on the play ground,” said Ressler. “The good opinion of instructors and fellow students is worthy of all honorable effort and is usually the reward of straight forward conduct and unselfish effort for the good of the school.”

Despite all of the ways that Western has evolved since 1856, there are still a number of ways that the original spirit of the university has been preserved through the people who live, work and attend school here.

If anyone is interested in learning more about Western’s history, there is a wide variety of resources available on Hamersley Library’s website in the digital commons.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of omeka.wou.edu

BSU member discusses the importance of MLK Day

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

Even though Martin Luther King Jr. died over fifty years ago, his life and legacy of civil rights and racial justice advocacy is still honored by many today. Every year on Jan. 21, MLK Day serves both as a reminder of hope and that there is still work that needs to be done in our society.

Reflecting on the significance of this holiday, Tatiana-Marie Whitlow, a first-year psychology major and Black Student Union member, shares why she feels that MLK Day is still relevant in modern culture.

“I feel like society only sees MLK Day as a day off from school,” said Whitlow. “I don’t see that we celebrate it enough considering how important it is.”

Whitlow also expressed her frustration with the number of judgments that people have made on account of her skin color.

“MLK Day has always been important to me because a lot of places I’ve been to I’ve always been singled out — always been the black sheep amongst the white sheep — and I’ve always had to have been okay with that,” said Whitlow. “I’m from Hawaii and, at my high school, I was the only black kid that danced hula. I would always have to prove someone wrong.”

Remembering other occasions where she was discriminated against, Whitlow shared how — even when she was in the back seat — a police officer recently asked for both she and her friend’s IDs. She also refrains from bringing a purse with her into stores to avoid unwarranted suspicion.

“I fear that if I bring my purse with me to a store I’ll get followed or asked to leave,” said Whitlow. “So, I don’t bring anything except my wallet and my keys in my pockets. And it kind of sucks because one of my friends who is white-dominant can bring this big purse with her and be totally fine.”

Another issue surrounding MLK Day is how people can be allies to the black community. In Whitlow’s opinion, it is important to stand up when people make racist jokes or comments, to not buy into stereotypes about black people and to not go around touching people’s hair without permission.

“(Touching people’s hair) is such a big thing because not only will the oils rub off on their hair and probably damage it, it’s also really annoying,” said Whitlow.

Whitlow also encouraged students to join Black Student Union.

“You do not have to be predominantly black to join BSU: come as you are. But please, be for the black community and not against it,” said Whitlow.

If students would like to learn more about MLK Day, Western is having a dinner on Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m. which will feature keynote speaker Christopher Coleman and honor the memory and life of Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

A march for gender equality

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

With painted cheeks, decorated signs and their own reasons for marching, a substantial crowd of different gender-identities gathered together on the morning of Jan. 19 to support the diversity and strength of womanhood.

With the first march having only taken place two years ago, the Women’s Wave is back for its third year to “harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change,” according to the mission statement.

For this particular event, a number of sponsoring organizations and vendors set up camp on the capitol mall while people socialized and waited for the six women who were scheduled to speak before the march.

The first speaker, Danielle Meyer, is an openly transgender woman who serves as the chair of the Salem Human Rights Commission. She is an activist, a public speaker and a community volunteer. After sharing her story about struggling to come to a place of confidence in who she is, Meyer had a message for those present.

“Find a way to physically participate in the community,” Meyers said. “It’s important that we work for the team of humanity, not just for the team of women or certain religions or political beliefs. We do our work to unconditionally help everyone.”

After Meyers, Sarah Bennett — a wife and mother who works both as a caretaker and in the Oregon National Guard — emphasized the worth of traditionally undervalued jobs like caretaking to the crowd and encouraged them not to see such work as insignificant or unimportant.

Following Bennett, Shelaswua Bushnell Crier, a teacher, community activist and lawyer spoke about the importance in seeking unity in the midst of chaos and hatred.

“Let’s make an effort to talk to one another. Let’s make an effort to talk to people who don’t necessarily agree with us on everything,” said Crier. “Everybody has a story. That person who voted for Trump has a story. There’s a reason.”

Crier then stated that the only way the United States will be able to progress is if its citizens choose to embrace each other and work together, despite any differences they may have.

During the event, Crier’s two daughters also shared their gifts in singing “Quiet” by MILCK and “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers before the crowd.

Next up, Jennifer Hofmann, author of the political blog “Americans for Conscious Checklist,” shared how recent events have spurred her to action, and how she hopes that it will do the same to others.

“Instead of fighting the current administration, let us support our neighbors impacted by its intolerant ideas,” said Hofmann. “I challenge you to take your big heart to any community already working for justice and commit to supporting their work.”

The following speaker, Professor Wendi Warren Binford, brought an important, but a somber message. She has been one of the few private citizens allowed to go and observe the children held at our country’s border, which has left her with a number of horrifying stories.

“People ask me, ‘Is it really as bad as the media reports?’ and it is. In fact, I would say that it’s much worse than you have heard in the media,” said Warren Binford. “Indeed, today you can be assured that there are children in cages down on our country’s border.”

Despite the horrendous scenes she witnessed, Warren Binford has a vision for the future.

“We need to make sure that our children know another America — the America you represent, the America I’m fighting for, the America we need to take back,” said Warren Binford.

The final speaker of the day was Maria Reyes Patino, an immigrant from Oaxaca, Mexico who is a DACA recipient and works with the Oregon DACA coalition to help educate immigrants about what is happening in our system and to help support them. She is also an addiction treatment specialist and a college student.

“I am being silenced because you see my skin before you see my heart,” said Reyes Patino. “I am proud of my culture — where I come from — because I find beauty in my brain and in my strength.”

She also issued a challenge to those in attendance: passivity is not enough.

“It’s not enough to be not racist and not homophobic — we have to be anti-racist and anti-homophobic,” said Reyes Patino. “And the best we can help those around us is to educate ourselves.”

To round out the event, marchers took to the streets: chanting, holding hands and embracing hope for a brighter future for women everywhere.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Bailey Thompson

Amusement from the archives

Caity Healy | Editor in Chief

Paige Montgomery | The Lamron Archives

Happy 163rd birthday, Western. This year, to celebrate Western’s birthday, the Western Howl dug through the archives to find some real knee-slapping comedy from back in the day. What better way to ring in the very significant 163rd year of this school’s existence by resurfacing what Wolves used to find funny?

What we came across, believe it or not, actually made us laugh. Turns out humor has always been a thing? For your enjoyment, here are some of our favorite stories written in a recurring segment from the 1985-1986 volume of the Lamron titled, “Turn to Paige” by staff writer Paige Montgomery. We hope you enjoy these as much as we did. Happy birthday, Western.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Opinion: On the Serena Williams controversy

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Serena Williams is an American professional tennis player who has won 23 Grand Slam Singles titles and has won a grand slam tournament for three decades in a row. Williams has earned the most prize money to date in the world of tennis; none of that money came from sponsorships or endorsements, either, but only from her winning record. She has won 743 matches as of May 2018, which is the highest number of won matches of any active tennis player (all statistics gathered from sbnation.com). Just google “Serena Williams statistics,” because there’s a lot more where that came from.

Certain aspects of Williams’ conduct during matches have come under scrutiny by public audiences and news outlets alike, even sparking the creation of a racist comic by Mark Knight. The biggest incident in question is during Williams’ match against Naomi Osaka. After some calls by the referee that Williams viewed as questionable, she argued against them.

“You stole a point from me. You’re a thief, too,” said Williams after getting penalized for throwing her racket onto the court. Later in the match, Williams is quoted as commenting: “this has happened to me too many times.”

I don’t believe that this one outburst can label Williams “aggressive” for the rest of her career. As my stint as an athlete, I can relate to Williams’ outrage. Sometimes, when your adrenaline is high and the game is high-stakes, you do things that you probably wouldn’t do when you are off the court.

Also, I would like to point out that many male athletes have argued questionable calls, saying worse things than Williams, and often they are lauded for “sticking up for themselves.” For example, NFL player Richard Sherman is famous for interacting with the referees, arguing penalty calls and getting hyped up about a game — fans love him for it.

Williams clearly has a passion for the game of tennis that has undoubtedly been one of the factors contributing to her success. I mean, you don’t become a world-renowned, top-ranking athlete by being lukewarm about your sport.

Take a look at Michael Phelps, for example. When he locked down a gold medal in the Olympics, he often yells, slaps the water, hugs his fellow American teammates. Of course he does, right? He is a record-setting athlete. Many athletes do it, and rarely do we hear about it, much less hyperfocus on it. Muhammad Ali often celebrated after winning a fight, and although he has faced much discrimination, no one denies that he is one of the greatest boxers of all time. He isn’t labeled aggressive because of his athleticism.

Yes, maybe Williams shouldn’t have blown up at the referee in her match against Osaka, but she most likely knows that by now. Hindsight is 20/20, and I’m sure the average person walking down the street doesn’t want to be forever identified by a mistake they’ve made in the past.

“Serena Williams, in her more than 20 year career, has completely remade women’s tennis,” remarked Liz Clarke, sports writer for the Washington Post, “she has changed what a women’s player serves like, what she hits like, she has changed the expectation of what a women’s player dresses like.”

I believe that someone who completely remakes a sport has the right to be excited about how they, literally, changed the way a sport is played. In my opinion, when I watch sports, it’s more enjoyable when I see someone heated, passionate, and excited about what they’re doing. And honestly, I see a little bit of a double standard when people say that Williams is “too loud” or “overly aggressive.” Why is it okay to criticize Williams for her behavior, while at the same time put these male athletes on a pedestal for the exact same display?

 

Contact the author at cweedon16@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of serenawilliams.com

The perspective of a first generation college student

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Western has a wide diversity of students from different kinds of backgrounds. Some come from a family of college graduates, while others are the first generation to take on the challenge. While the college experience can sometimes be boiled down in pop culture as a universal experience, the reality is that these experiences can be as diverse as the people.

For first generation college students like Madison Gaylin, a junior education major, there are some similarities and some differences between students who came from college-educated families. One similarity, in her case, is that she had high hopes from a young age.

“I decided when I was little that I wanted to be a teacher,” Gaylin said. “Everyone said it would be hard work and there wouldn’t be much money in it, but I was set on it.”

Gaylin has some other members of her family that attended college, but not in her immediate family. She attended a community college where she got her AA, then transferred to Western. The transfer took her away from home, the small town of Clatskanie east of Astoria, for the first time.

For many students, even though college and their career path was ultimately a choice that they should be deciding, there was always an unspoken pressure to get a degree. This is especially true when one or both parents have a degree. For Gaylin, there wasn’t pressure so much as a hope or an expectation.

“I think it always came down to me wanting to go (to college),” she said when asked about the pressure many students feel from their families. “If I hadn’t, there might have been some disappointment — but not anger.”

She also said this internal, rather than external, motivation helped keep her focus when things got rough and she considered dropping out.

“I just had to keep telling myself to keep going,” Gaylin added.

Along with many other students at Western, Gaylin is now on her way to a career in education. While her experience isn’t shared by everyone, she can relate to those who have worked long and hard to achieve a lifelong dream as a first-generation college student.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

What to look for in a new roommate

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

For most people, part of the college experience is finding and living with a roommate. Sometimes it’s a friend or acquaintance, but other times students have to wade through their options of strangers to find one they’re comfortable living with. In these cases, there are specific things to look for when considering living with someone. While not all roommates end up best friends forever, a living situation should be more than just tolerable. When looked for, these things can help turn a potential nightmare roommate story into a friendship one.

 

  1. Communication:  Being a good communicator is a good sign that someone will make a good roommate in all stages of the search. This kind of person can be depended on to communicate when they decide to sign the lease, what they expect from their roommates and what will work best in their living situation. This may seem intimidating at times, but being straightforward will help resolve issues before they grow and start to become disruptive.
  2. Socialization levels: Everyone is slightly different when it comes to how and how much they socialize at home. Some like throwing ragers regularly with as many people as possible while others prefer to keep their homes relatively quiet and secluded. Neither is better or worse, but people on opposite ends of the spectrum are unlikely to agree on how open their home should be.
  3. Real life experience: Every so often, there is an encounter with someone unadjusted to living on their own. This may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, but it should be considered for those who might get annoyed by someone who doesn’t know how to cook for themselves or do household chores.
  4. Responsibility: Some students may look to their classmates when searching for a roommate. The opportunity that comes with this is to observe how organized or responsible they are with their schoolwork and decide whether this is a good indicator of what kind of roommate they will be. If their homework is consistently late, it may be a good idea to first make sure they won’t do the same with their rent.
  5. Independence: In an ideal world, roommates would always end up good friends that enjoy spending time together. However, some people just need someone to help pay the bills. During the initial search, clarifying the amount of involvement desired in each others’ lives can help eliminate future conflicts or misunderstandings. Also, while it’s good to be able to depend on roommates when in need, dependence at a certain degree can cause tensions.
  6. Pet peeves: One of the challenges of finding a roommate can be that everyone comes from different backgrounds, lifestyles and habits. As a result, something that might seem minor to one person can be extremely irritating to another. Cleanliness, whether lack of it or obsession with it, is the most common example of this that can lead to roommates falling out. Discussing pet peeves and lifestyle preferences before hand can save the trouble of roommate drama.
  7. Timeline: For students, it’s usually fairly easy to determine how long they’ll be needing to stay in one place based on how long they have until they graduate, or if they plan to stay in Monmouth after doing so. Sometimes, however, people need to leave or find a new place in the middle of the school year, when it’s hardest to find someone to replace them. Some graduate in a term other than spring, or take terms off and need to move. This can sometimes create a revolving door of roommates that only need temporary homes and can create anxiety from the inconsistency of having someone to help pay rent.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

The benefits of learning another language

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

It’s not uncommon for a certain number of language classes to be a requirement for graduation, both in high school and in college. It’s also not uncommon to hear people say “Yeah, I took a few years of Spanish a while ago but I don’t really remember much except ‘¿dónde está el baño?’”.

Like any other subject, a foreign language can be easy to dismiss from one’s mind if it’s not an area of interest. I hear phrases like the one above often when I tell people I am studying Spanish, and I can’t say I blame them as I have expressed similar attitudes towards subjects I was less interested in. It can seem like just another graduation requirement that won’t turn out to be useful.

However, there are actually many benefits to learning another language, especially when studied further past just a few terms. I believe this not only due to my own experience, but also thanks to some research on the subject I have done as my interest in foreign languages grew.

One of the more obvious benefits is the fact that being proficient in a foreign language can open more opportunities in the future. The world is now a very interconnected place, and being someone who can help further those connections looks good on nearly any resume.

My own job is just a part time, temporary position in food service that pays my rent and is not in my long term career goals. However, I have already found myself faced with the opportunity to communicate with speakers of other languages. I have been able to use my Spanish outside the classroom for once, and also gotten to know some Deaf customers that left me wishing I had taken advantage of Western’s many ASL classes.

Research shows that learning another language helps stimulate cognitive functions, such as finding patterns. Studies such as the ones cited in an article on BBC.com titled “The amazing benefits of being bilingual” show that being bilingual can help exercise “mental muscles”. This is especially true for those who started learning a second language from a young age, but it’s never too late to start trying to become bilingual. These kinds of skills can help with academic performance as well, another plus.

On top of that, learning a second (or third, or fourth) language almost always comes with the added benefit of immersion into another culture. A language is rarely just conjugations and sentence structure; it’s also an origin, a history and a connection to different places.

At Western, there are many opportunities to learn or brush up on Spanish, German, French and American Sign Language. For more information on classes, visit wou.edu/humanities/modern-languages.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Student artist spotlight: Madeline Weinstein

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Madeline Weinstein is a junior studying theater at Western Oregon. Originally hailing from Seattle, Washington, Weinstein didn’t have much enthusiasm for the idea of college after her graduation from high school.

“It’s really cheesy, but then I visited Western Oregon, I was very hesitant. And then I realized, this is a very friendly place. People are waving ‘hi’ to each other, even on the weekends,” Weinstein said.

After visiting Western, Weinstein knew she wanted to apply.

“My mom actually said something that is going to stick with me forever, and it’s: ‘pick a school where you feel comfortable walking into a room and feeling confident that someone would help you,’” commented Weinstein, “that was the deciding factor.”

Weinstein had plenty of acting experience when she started at Western. She acted in all twelve shows that her high school produced in her four years there. In fact, Weinstein’s main inspiration was her high school drama teacher. Because of that one teacher, she decided to get her bachelor’s degree in theater and then continue on to get her master’s degree in education.

Weinstein hopes to relocate back to Washington after graduating to teach high school drama; “I want to give back and inspire my high schoolers,” she remarked.

Since coming to Western, Weinstein has participated in multiple shows in a various number of capacities. As a first-year, she was responsible for the sound in Western’s production of “Shakespeare in Hollywood.” She has also been a part of paint crew, and has acted in one-acts and ten-minute plays.

“Even if I don’t get into the main stage shows, I know that there’s still a chance for me to act in the one-acts and the ten minutes,” said Weinstein.

Something that Weinstein loves about the theater program is that “they don’t always put the ‘perfect’ actors in there, they put people who they know can learn from the experience and… who can grow more.”

Overall, Weinstein’s experience in the artistic community at Western has been positive: “I’m not a number, I’m an actual person with a name.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Podcast Review: “Just Break Up”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

If anyone could claim that they were addicted to podcasts, it would probably be me. I am a self-diagnosed podcast addict, and I have an endless supply at my fingertips; it seems like everyone and their mother has a podcast, and of course they do: everyone believes they have something important to say. I mean, I review stuff. I’m pretty much roasting myself here.

A recent addition to my arsenal of podcasts that I keep up with regularly is a show called “Just Break Up.” True to its title, the show tackles topics related to relationships, including friendships, familial relationships and romantic ones.

The first episode of the podcast was released on July 15, 2018. The two co-hosts are Sam Blackwell and Sierra DeMulder, two English majors based in Minnesota. Sierra DeMulder is also published poet and author of four books of poetry.

“Sierra and Sam hope to convey what they’ve learned throughout their own romantic journeys to bring comfort and support to others who might be going through similar situations,” said the podcast website, justbreakuppod.com.

Anyone can be endlessly validating, but that is not always healthy, and may even cause an unhealthy situation to continue. In my opinion, sometimes being stern while giving advice or expressing a perspective on an issue is key. My love of “Just Break Up” stems from the fact that Sam and Sierra manage to be validating while also being brutally honest. The co-hosts accept submitted letters from listeners and formulate thoughtful responses providing advice and support.

“They’re affirming and validating, but not to the point where they’re making excuses for the way we can act badly about relationships,” said Western alumna Danielle Durand, who introduced me to the podcast. “I learn something new about myself every time… And I find myself looking forward to Mondays every week now.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of justbreakuppod.com

Men’s Rugby’s hard work pays off

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

In the final match of fall term on Nov. 3, the Men’s Rugby team left the field after their lopsided victory over Willamette University unsure of the future. The team knew their only chance at playoffs was to win the bid for hosting the National Small College Rugby Organization’s Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships. While they finished their fall season with back to back blow out wins, the loss in their first match on Oct. 7 against reigning conference champions Central Oregon Community College may have kept them out of the playoffs. But little did they know, massive news was in the making.

During the winter break, the national rankings were posted on the NSCRO website. Consisting of over 240 Men’s clubs, Western had never before found themselves ranked inside the top 40. However, due to their outstanding play, the Wolves were nationally placed at 30. This national ranking was especially notable as no varsity or other club sport team in the 2018-19 school year had been able to achieve an honor such as this.

But despite this historic achievement, the men of Western rugby remained fixated on the end goal of playoffs.

“We’re not trying to make it a big deal of it,” said head coach and Western alumni Sean Pomeroy. “We’re at the bottom of the rankings, we want to be up higher, so we’re trying to stay focused.”

This focus is of the utmost importance for the Wolves as alongside their news of a national ranking, it was announced that Monmouth would play host to the Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships. Before leaving for winter break, the players and coaches were unsure if a post season would be in the picture due to only one team from the conference being invited to the challenge cup. But after the news that their bid to host was accepted, the playoffs would be be on the Wolves’s home turf, giving them an invitation to participate.

“If we didn’t host (the challenge cup) we wouldn’t have been in,” mentioned Pomeroy. “We started to hit our stride toward the end of the season… so we’re going to use this opportunity to turn some heads and show why we are nationally ranked.”

The NSCRO Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships is set to be held March 30 and 31 on the intramural field on Western’s campus. With the winner of this tournament receiving an automatic bid to the National Championships, the Wolves are hoping they can use the home field edge for one last push.

“We want to see these stands filled. Our boys always play better with big crowds so we hope we can use the home field to our advantage,” finished Pomeroy.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Winter term sports preview

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Lacrosse”]

Feb. 9 1 p.m. @ UC Davis

Feb. 10 1 p.m. @ University of Santa Cruz

Feb. 16 5 p.m. vs. Seattle University

Feb. 17 1 p.m. @ Humboldt State University

Feb. 24 1 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 9 6 p.m. vs. Western Washington University

Mar. 16 1 p.m. vs. University of Portland

Mar. 22 6 p.m. @ Pacific Lutheran University

Mar. 24 1 p.m. vs. CU Denver

[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Men’s Rugby”]

Jan. 16 6 p.m. @ Oregon State University

Feb. 2 1 p.m. vs. University of Oregon

Feb. 9 3 p.m. @ Pacific University

Feb. 16 1 p.m. @ University of Washington

Mar. 2 11 a.m. vs. Eastern Washington University

Mar. 3 1 p.m. vs. Pacific University

Mar. 30-31 National Small College Rugby Organization Challenge Cup Pacific Coast Regional Championships in Monmouth, Oregon

[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Women’s Soccer”] Feb. 9 1 p.m. vs. Portland State University [/fruitful_tab]
[/fruitful_tabs]

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Baseball”]

Feb. 8 2 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 9 12 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 9 3 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 10 12 p.m. @ Lewis and Clark State

Feb. 14 12 p.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Feb. 15 3 p.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Feb. 15 6 p.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Feb. 16 11 a.m. @ Fresno Pacific

Mar. 2 12 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 2 3 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 3 12 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 3 3 p.m. vs. Montana State Billings

Mar. 9 12 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 9 3 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 10 12 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 10 3 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 16 1 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 16 4 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 17 1 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 17 4 p.m. vs. Concordia University

Mar. 22 3 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 22 6 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 23 1 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 23 4 p.m. @ Northwest Nazarene University

Mar. 27 2 p.m. vs. Lewis and Clark University

Mar. 30 1 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 30 4 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 31 12 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 31 3 p.m. vs. Saint Martin’s University [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Softball”]

MSUB Desert Stinger Classic

Feb. 1  4:30 p.m. vs. Colorado Christian University

Feb. 1  7 p.m. vs. Cal State Monterey Bay University

Feb. 2  4:30 p.m. vs. UC San Diego University

Feb. 2  7 p.m. vs. Hawaii Pacific University

Feb. 3  11:30 a.m. vs. Chico State University

Dixie State Tournament

Feb. 15  3:30 p.m. vs. St. Edward’s University

Feb. 16  10 a.m. vs. Adelphi University

Feb. 16  12:30 p.m. vs. St. Edward’s University

Feb. 17  12:30 p.m. vs. Adelphi University

Feb. 17  3 p.m. vs. Dixie State University

PFX Athletics Tournament

Mar. 1  9:30 a.m. vs. Kentucky Wesleyan University

Mar. 1  11:45 a.m. vs. Missouri University St. Louis

Mar. 2  9 a.m. vs. Findlay University

Mar. 2  11:15 a.m. vs. Minnesota State University Mankato

Mar. 3  9 a.m. vs. Tiffin University

Mar. 3 11:15 a.m. vs. Malone University

Mar. 4 6:15 p.m. vs. The College of Saint Rose

Mar. 9  12 p.m. vs. Simon Fraser University

Mar. 9  2 p.m. vs. Simon Fraser University

Mar. 10  12 p.m. vs. Western Washington University

Mar. 10  2 p.m. vs. Western Washington University

Mar. 13  1 p.m. vs. Northwest Christian University

Mar. 13  3 p.m. vs. Northwest Christian University

Mar. 16  12 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings

Mar. 16  2 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings

Mar. 17  12 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings  

Mar. 17  2 p.m. @ Montana State University Billings

Mar. 23  1 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 23  3 p.m. @ Central Washington University

Mar. 24  12 p.m. @ Saint Martin’s University

Mar. 24  2 p.m. @ Saint Martin’s University

Tournament of Champions

Mar. 29  2 p.m. vs. Sonoma State University

Mar. 29  4:30 p.m. vs. Cal State East Bay University

Mar. 30  2 p.m. vs. San Francisco State University

Mar. 30  5:30 p.m. vs. Stanislaus State University

Mar. 31  9 a.m. vs. California State University, Dominguez Hills

[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Track and Field”]

Jan. 12 @ UW Indoor Preview

Jan. 25 @ Husky Invitational

Jan. 26 @ Husky Invitational

Feb. 8 @ Husky Classic

Feb. 9 @ Husky Classic

Feb. 15 @ GNAC Championships

Feb. 16 @ GNAC Championships

Feb. 23 @ SPU Final Qualifier

Mar. 2 @ Willamette Opener

Mar. 8 @ NCAA Championships

Mar. 9 @ NCAA Championships

Mar. 9 @ Pacific Invitational

Mar. 17 @ Lewis & Clark Spring Break Open

Mar. 23 @ Willamette Invitational

Mar. 28 @ SF Distance Carnival

Mar. 29 @ SF Distance Carnival

Mar. 29 @ Stanford Invitational

Mar. 30 @ Stanford Invitational

Mar. 30 @ SF Distance Carnival

[/fruitful_tab]
[/fruitful_tabs]

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western’s women are back on the rugby pitch

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

Coming back from a very short fall season of only two games, the women’s rugby team hoped to start the new term off right with an exhibition match against Oregon State University on Jan. 12.

Western’s squad was short a few players but due to the large roster of the Beavers, some Beavers donned the red and black to field a complete team. With a full 15 player lineup taking the field for both sides, the game was set to start.

The Wolves’s roster is packed with young players, and many were stepping onto the pitch for one of their first games. This lack of experience started to show when Oregon State began with a strong offensive drive. Within a minute of kick off, the Beavers were on the board. After giving up a try early, the Wolves hoped to fight back.

Another quick break away by the Beavers brought them within ten yards of the goal line. However, the Wolves showed some promise by making an impressive goal line stand. Keeping Oregon State away from a score highlighted the potential of the younger players. But moments later, the Wolves surrendered another score.

Despite this match being a non-competitive match, the hard hitting nature of the sport took a toll on the players. Injuries riddled both teams, causing players to need to constantly switch between teams. The injuries kept piling up throughout the match, eventually resulting in the need to play 14 on 14 due to the lack of healthy players.

At the end of the match Western had been able to score twice but gave up a slew of points. While on paper the Wolves lost, the experience gained was very valuable to the young team. Being able to get back on the field for only their third official match hopes to prove positive for the future.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Monmouth officials begin their terms

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

“I, Cecelia Koontz, solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States, the constitution and the laws of the state of Oregon, the charters and the ordinances of the city of Monmouth, and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of the mayor of the city of Monmouth to the best of my abilities,” stated the new mayor of Monmouth upon being sworn in.

To open their Jan. 8, 2019 meeting, the Monmouth City Council welcomed three councilors and a new mayor: Councilor Jon Carey, Councilor Roxanne Beltz, Councilor Christopher Lopez and Mayor Cecelia Koontz. These councilors will join sitting city council members Byron Shinkle, Darin Silbernagel, and Laurel Sharmer for the upcoming year.

The city councilors were sworn in first, with Beltz and Carey returning to the council and Lopez beginning his first term.

Following them, Koontz was sworn in as the first female mayor elected in Monmouth’s history. In the past, Koontz has served on Western’s Board of Trustees and as the business manager for the Central School District.

On his way out of the mayor’s office, Steve Milligan decided to present Koontz with a time capsule that will be opened June 25, 2196 — the day of the next solar eclipse. Since the eclipse was a time of joy for Monmouth as a community in the previous year, Milligan stated that the time capsule would be a token to mark the progress that Monmouth has made in recent years that can be passed from mayor to mayor until the date of the next solar eclipse.

In light of this gesture, Koontz made sure to express her gratitude for the work of Monmouth mayors who have come before her.

“All of the former living mayors except two are with us tonight, and so I’m really really proud to join their company,” said Koontz. “Thank you gentlemen very much for the work you’ve done and for making this a great place to serve.”

Turning to Milligan specifically, Koontz took a moment to recognize his service and dedication to Monmouth.

“Steve and I have served on council together…he’s been a very faithful member of the Central School District school board and he’s done a lot of other work in our community,” said Koontz.

In response, Milligan made a final, reflective address:

“16 years ago tonight I was getting sworn in for the first time as a councilor,” said Milligan. “The services that I’ve had the privilege to do in this city with the citizens of this city have been immeasurable. Enough of you have been around here that in 2000 Main Street didn’t look at all like it does today…and it’s really been a pleasure to help participate and make decisions in the process of improving the city for countless generations in front of us.”

Moving forward, this new group of city councilors will continue to meet in Volunteer Hall at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and members of the community are welcome to attend.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Bailey Thompson

Encouraging students to audition for drag show

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

Of all of the student-run traditions on Western’s campus, Triangle Alliance’s Annual Drag Show is one that many students consider to be one of the most memorable and enjoyable events to attend. Going on its 23rd year, the drag show provides a large group of students the opportunity to bond over lip-syncing, expressing themselves and challenging societal expectations.

Although auditioning before an audience can be intimidating to some, there are a number of benefits that can come from putting oneself out there and trying something new.

“It is definitely in your interest to step out of your comfort zone a tiny bit,” said Ianassa Donegan, senior education major and the makeup, costumes and props director for the drag show. “(The drag show) is not something that is a high-risk situation. We strive to create this community that’s really loving and really accepting.”

So, if students are considering auditioning, Donegan explained what they could expect of the audition process:

“We do a walk where we play a masculine-type song and then a feminine-type song and everyone — one by one — walks across the room in a way that’s comfortable for them to show their personality,” said Donegan. “Then we also have a lip-syncing portion.”

The last element of the audition process involves the choreographers teaching everyone a section of a dance number to gauge their ability to pick up steps. There is also a separate dance audition for those who are interested in being in the more advanced, technical dances.

After the auditions are over, Donegan explained how the creative team goes about casting the show.

“For the most part, everyone gets in and they get to participate in a level or time commitment that works for them,” Donegan said.

If a student has a more limited availability, they have the option to be in fewer dance numbers than others who have more time to dedicate. However, Donegan shared that anyone interested in taking on a named character role must anticipate being asked to attend more rehearsals than those in the ensemble.

“Our rehearsals are set up so that on the weekend we have a space reserved from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.” said Donegan. “Then, during the week, each choreographer has their own night, so if you’re in their songs then you’re going to be there on that night.”

One other element of the drag show that might be exciting to interested students is this year’s theme: Harry Potter.

“There’s going to be a lot of those characters that you recognize from Harry Potter — Harry, Hermione, Draco,” said Donegan. “But it is a drag show, and it is put on by Triangle Alliance, so it is going to be queer-oriented.”

At the end of the day, Donegan wanted students to know that anyone can be a part of the drag show, no matter how they identify.

“Drag show rehearsals is a time where you can be yourself, be with your friends, and have fun,” said Donegan. “It’s like a family, basically.”

For anyone interested, there are three audition times available: Jan. 18, 19 and 20, with the technical dance audition happening on the final day. The drag show team would also like for people to fill out a registration form on Orgsync if they have the ability to.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ianassa Donegan

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