Mount Hood

Showcasing creativity

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Savannah Kumar, Biology Major

“It comes from the show ‘Parks and Recreation.’ It is one of my favorite shows and I feel like the quote is really applicable to anyone who is graduating, myself included. The things that we achieve in life are not only a testament to our own hard work, but also to the people who support us, love us and root for us along the way, and I really wanted to make sure that I highlighted that in my cap.”

Photo by: Savannah Kumar

Victoria Edwards, Biology Major
“I chose to decorate my cap with the iconic statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at Disneyland and one of Walt Disney’s famous quotes. My parents have been bringing me (to) Disneyland since I was a little girl, so it has a special place in my heart. And I find Walt Disney’s story very inspirational, so I thought it would be the perfect representation of myself and my college experience.”

Photo by: Victoria Edwards

Jessica Freeman, Community Health Major

“There are a few reasons why I decorated mine the way I did. First, I have always been fascinated by the human heart, and my career will be based around cardiothoracic surgery — open heart surgery and the chest cavity. Also, while at (Western), it was the first time that I was willing to accept that I have very high anxiety … I learned that mental health is a very real and very important aspect of life. I have spent the last four years accepting that notion and working  on finding ways to manage my anxiety as I get closer to adulthood.”

Photo by: Jessica Freeman

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

 

Getting crafty with grad caps

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

When taking the step from being a Western student to a Western graduate, adding flair to a graduation cap to display during commencement can be the ideal way to stick out from the rest of the class. It gives graduating students one last opportunity to showcase who they are, whether it be through humor, a memorable quote or simply a design they think represents them well.

For those considering adding some style to their caps, it’s not too late. Designs can be intricate, simple or anything in between. Here is a quick description on how to form an idea and get going on making yours look distinguished from everyone else’s.

 

Find inspiration:

For some, their caps are a dedication to those who helped them get to this point; for others, it can simply be a statement of pride they have in themselves; and, of course, for some, graduation caps are based on a show, movie, book or other quotable material. To get inspiration on what to base a graduation cap on, students should think of what would best represent them. For those struggling to come up with something, a good idea would be to watch a movie that has meaning for them or to speak with someone of importance to them.

 

Purchase supplies:

The basics for decorating a graduation cap include colored or designed paper and cut out letters. This will ensure that it looks well put together and the letters are evenly sized. Anything beyond that depends on the cap; sparkles, studs or other fun flair are worth looking at to see if it might add to the look. Head to a craft store such as Michael’s or JOANN stores to look at all of the options.

 

Putting it together:

It’s important to take time on the project. Keep in mind, this is the cap that will be featured in every graduation photograph; when thinking back to commencement, this will be an image that will reappear. Take the time to fix up the small details, and have fun with it. Ultimately, all that matters is that the one who is wearing it is happy with the final product.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Review: “Deadpool 2”

Stephanie Blair | Copy Editor

Let me start by saying that I liked the last Deadpool film — I really did — but I felt immediately upon seeing it that it didn’t have the potential to be a good series. I also knew that Marvel would make it one anyway and so, over two years later, here we are. I went into this film with low expectations and they were met exactly.

I could spend a lot of time complaining about how mediocre this film is, even though I can already feel my friends’s angry tweets being typed out as I write this. So, instead of going on at length, I’m going to quickly run through my biggest problems with the film and then we can move on to the enjoyable bits. Here we go.

The first 20 minutes or so of setup were insufferable. The title sequence was funny as I realized what they were referencing, but quickly became overdone. The plot, overall, was simple, dumb and was almost asking for a cop out ending — which it then gave. Any instance of visual humor, rather than a funny line, was ruined by characters in the scene heckling the moment. The biggest laughs in the showing I attended went to gags that were simply call backs to the biggest laughs of the first movie.

To be honest though, it’s still fun. It’s the same brand of humor, with slightly different twists. The new characters aren’t very fleshed out, but I want them to be. The soundtrack is excellent, making it a tradition of the Deadpool films, now. Simply put, it’s not as good as the first film — but if you liked the first one, you’ll like the second.

There’s nothing groundbreaking here, like there — arguably — was in the last film. There just isn’t. But if you like light body horror, penis jokes and ‘80s tunes, you’re in for a good time.

 

Contact the author at journalcopy@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of: www.foxmovies.com

Rounding the bases with Creach

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Believing starts internally. For Tyler Creach, a first-year business major, and outfielder of the Wolves softball team, this much is so. Whether Creach plays softball, studies, or acts, it’s then about having confidence.

“That’s when you can really do things,” said Creach.

Creach believed in herself when she led her Portland high school team to a state championship. She trusted in herself: that she could start in her first year at Western, and in proving she could cover all of the bases as a utility. The Portland native drove the belief home, when she finished the 2018 season second in the GNAC in hits, and third in runs scored. Creach also believes in a future business career around sports, and an acting career.

“Aspiring,” Creach emphasized. “I don’t think I’ve been in enough things to say I’m an actress.” But it is something she says she’s highly interested in and pursuing while in college.

“Well when I was in high school, I took a film class, and that was more of studying different film techniques and doing scene studies … I’m kinda just open to learning more about it,” Creach said.

That learning will take its course over the summer, as she’ll continue to look for casting calls in the area, like the opportunity she seized last summer when she acted as an extra in the Netflix series “Everything Sucks!”

The big dream, however, is to be in a Star Wars movie.

Thrilled from the news that the saga will roll out another trilogy, she followed saying she wouldn’t want to be a Jedi, however.

“Oh no, no, I’d want to be a bounty hunter. First of all, I love the Fetts: they’re my favorite characters. And so I’d definitely want to be this badass female bounty hunter,” she commented.

It’s a fun thought for Creach, but she says she’d be delighted at the idea of being a part of the growing movement in cinema that includes strong female characters.

The drama also played out on the diamond, with Creach being one of Western’s standout performers.

To set the scene: Creach nears the on-deck circle motioning a few full swings, eyeing down the trajectory of her aluminum bat.

Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” plays in the background during her walk to home plate. With quickness and speed, Creach poses a dual threat: she can measure for a bunt and then take off running, or she can full on hit for the outfield.

She stares at the pitcher intently, with a pierced gaze, like a statue. When the ball is thrown, it’s no match. Creach crushes it like the gravitational pull had shifted and the ball went far and away.

Creach kept believing and stayed dedicated, and that’s when everything came full swing in a playoff game against Simon Fraser, on May 4, the last of the Wolves’s season.

Six years to the day her team played Simon, Creach had to undergo a heart procedure.

Creach was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.

“I basically was born with an extra electrical node in my heart,” Creach said.

The same heart condition sidelined NBA player LaMarcus Aldridge from playing after having to undergo two procedures.

“It can basically put you at high risk for heart-attack,” Creach explained. “and it was really scary. I know it was really scary for me and my family also.”

From the moment Creach and her family discovered her syndrome, a heart procedure was soon performed where doctors removed the extra node.

“I still have (Wolff-Parkinson-White) but it’s not going to be a problem. I can still play sports and do normal activities … I’m good to go now, so that’s the good thing, and yeah, it’s really surreal that that home run ended up happening on that day,” Creach commented.

In that last game of the season — an elimination game — and down 6-2 in the fifth inning, Creach smashed her first collegiate homer: a solo beam over the right wall. It was the last run of Western’s season.

“It was pretty crazy how everything had led up to that, and I’ve never hit a home run as a lefty. I’ve hit lots of home runs as a right-handed hitter, when I used to be right-handed. But it was cool how everything had let up to that moment,” said Creach.

The former-shortstop started her collegiate season primarily as a utility, but eventually worked her way to cover right-field for most of the season.

The lead off grew with confidence in her offensive ability. In 52 games played, her hitting allowed for a relentless on-base percentage of .483. Another big moment came in a April 15 matchup with Concordia, where she went four-for-four and scored every time for her team’s 8-4 win.

Creach is glad she chose Western, and felt that the team had a great season despite the outcome.

“I think we developed a lot and learned a lot this past season so I’m excited to see kind of how we do next year,” said Creach.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Simson Garcia

Encouraging unity, celebrating diversity

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

“Diversity” is a term that covers a broad range of topics including race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, socioeconomic status and other components of a person’s identity. ASWOU aimed to educate the Western community on these topics during Diversity Week.

“I think a lot of people get divisive on things that involve politics, race, class — those are all big issues,” said ASWOU Director of Equity Natalie Dean. “But I think people get really hung up on the things that divide us, and I think that this was just to highlight the ways that we are all together. And not to ignore those differences, but rather to address them and recognize that they do happen.”

The week-long event, spanning from May 14-18, was hosted by ASWOU and involved several student-led organizations on campus, including: Unidos, Student Veterans of America and the D.R.E.A.M. club. Each club provided their own unique perspective and informed Western students about different aspects of diversity.

Unidos and MEChA teamed up to host a film screening of the movie “Food Chains” which discussed the working conditions of migrant farmworkers in Florida, the D.R.E.A.M. club presented information about the disabled community and accessibility on Western’s campus and the Student Veterans of America organized an open house in the Veterans Resource Center that encouraged students to learn about the various branches of the military.

ASWOU worked with the Oregon Student Association to provide workshops centered around diversity including Intro to Queer and Trans Justice, Intro to Disability Justice and Understanding Your Privilege.

Western’s Food Pantry hosted a cooking tutorial, led by former Foodservice Director Karen Nelles. The presentation demonstrated basic baking and knife skills as well as nutritional meals to make in a mason jar. Additionally, senior community health major Paula Waldron discussed topics of food insecurity and socioeconomic status to tie the event back to Diversity Week.

“Food insecurity affects millions of people in the United States — with college students being no exception,” Waldron explained. “Addressing food insecurity is important because hunger has the ability to negatively impact other areas in life and, as a result, may diminish one’s quality of life.”

Dean believes that Diversity Week provides a good opportunity for students to ask questions that they might not otherwise ask and explore the various topics of diversity.

“Learning can be scary, especially dealing with topics like this,” said Dean. “People don’t really want to talk about it … (Diversity Week) is a space that’s inclusive and is open to educating people in a way that’s not demeaning.”

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

DIY pore strips

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor 

For many, using pore strips is a satisfying experience that results in softer and smoother skin. By pulling out the existing oil and dirt from your pores, it can give the illusion that you’re removing the blackheads — this isn’t entirely true. What you’re actually removing is called a keratotic plug; this is comprised of dead skin cells, dirt, hair and oil. The removal is entirely surface level and the deeper blackhead isn’t entirely removed.

Nonetheless, it can still make your skin feel amazing and silky smooth. While it may not be removing the entire blackhead, you’ll still feel that confidence boost that comes with healthier skin.

An easy addition to any facemask night, using this DIY pore strip will get you an exceptional result that comes at little cost and is hassle-free.

 

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin (this can be found at Walmart), 1 tablespoon of any kind of milk and an optional 1 teaspoon of any essential oil.
  2. Heat the mixture over a double boiler until it is warm. Using a double boiler helps to make sure it’s not too warm to apply to your face.
  3. Wash your face with warm water to open your pores and remove any oil and dirt.
  4. Spread this mixture on the areas you deem necessary. For many, target areas are often the bridge of their nose and their chin. Just make sure to avoid the eyes, nostrils and mouth.
  5. Allow this to dry for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how thickness. It’s important that it’s completely dry before removal for optimal results.
  6. Once dry, remove the mask starting from the side or the bottom, and slowly pulling it away from your face.
  7. Rinse your face with cold water to remove any of the leftover mask and close your pores. Then, finish by applying a fragrance-free moisturizer.

Instructions based on diynatural.com

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Review: “Electric Light”

Zoë Strickland | Editor-in-Chief

It’s been three years since singer-songwriter James Bay released his debut album, and I’ve been anticipating his second since I finished listening to the first. “Electric Light” is good, but it’s nothing special. In his second album, Bay seems like he’s trying to reinvent his sound, but does so in such a miniscule way that the changes just seem like slightly overproduced missteps. While the album almost succeeds in showing a different side to the artist’s music, an overall lack of continuity is its downfall.

When it comes to music, I love a good connecting storyline — and Bay’s sophomore release seemed like it was going to deliver. “Electric Light,” in a way similar to “Camp” by Childish Gambino, uses interludes of dialogue to introduce the listener to the story that the album is trying to tell.

The first track, aptly named “Intro,” consists of nearly a minute of dialogue between Bay and a woman who’s playing the role of his significant other. The conversation comes back halfway through the album with “Interlude,” another minute-long track. While this framework acts as the set-up for a musical story, the album itself fails to follow through. I was expecting the last track to sum up the record in a similar conversational way, but it ended on a bittersweet musical note that housed Kodaline-levels of sadness. Though the attempted storyline seemed like it was aiming for somewhere great, it failed to get there.

The first single released and fourth tune on the album, “Wild Love,” is destined to be one of the songs of the summer. “Wild Love” relies heavily on autotune, nearly to the point of sounding like Bleachers. However, the majority of the song remains low-energy and squanders the pop potential it appears to be aiming for. It isn’t until the track is almost over that the sound drops into a danceable beat.

Bay’s debut album, “Chaos and the Calm,” was released in 2015 and was a solid record — his powerful vocals and intensely romantic lyrics resulted in three Grammy nominations. While “Electric Light” still houses the same strong sound that was displayed in “Chaos,” the at-times-overproduced quality of the songs took away from how much I enjoyed the album as a whole.

While I dislike Bay’s overall sound reinvention, I do have to commend him on the powerhouse that is “Stand Up.” The song begins with layered vocals, but quickly turns into a softer, choral interlude, eventually building up to a climax of boisterous percussion and violin, ultimately winding down to a calm finish that borders on lackluster.

“Just for Tonight” is the song that’s most reminiscent of the artist’s previous releases; the tune feels like it’s reaching into Bay’s singer-songwriter roots, but ultimately winds up relying too heavily on choral voices.

Though I’ll probably stick to listening to his first album, it seems like “Electric Light” is Bay’s way of coming into his own sound. The album plays more with autotune, voice layering and different genres. However, the failed continuity of the record makes it seem like Bay was throwing pasta at a wall and hoping it would stick — if the organization was better, I think the reinvention would have been more successful.

 

Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of: republicrecords.com

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