Mount Hood

This week in entirely made-up horoscopes…

February 5, 2025

The Signs as types of cookies

Aries: Red velvet with white chocolate chips

Taurus: Thumbprint cookie

Gemini: raw cookie dough

Cancer: samoas 

Leo: Oatmeal raisin 

Virgo: too salty chocolate chip

Libra: Sugar cookie

Scorpio: Double chocolate chunk

Sagittarius: White chocolate macadamia

Capricorn: Thin mints

Aquarius: Gingersnap

Pisces: Snickerdoodle

“The Howl” staff picks

February 5, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Looking for a new show to binge or a new artist to fill the homework hours? The staff of “The Western Howl” has all avenues covered — and then some. 

Shows and movies:

“Attack on Titan” — Sophie Taylor, designer

One of the highest-rated animes of all time, Taylor’s choice of “Attack on Titan” is a show that “is breathtaking and was crafted to perfection. Twists and turns that no one sees coming will leave you jaw-dropped, looking at your own reflection on the black screen.” 

The show follows protagonist Eren Yeager as he joins the elite Survey Corps and faces off against Titans — gigantic, humanoid creatures that feed on humans — and is currently streaming on Apple TV+ and Crunchyroll.

“River Monsters” — Sophia Pierce, designer

“After 9 seasons, the show has sadly been discontinued since Jeremy Wade, the show’s star, has caught essentially all our waters have to offer,” Pierce said. 

Following Jeremy Wade as searches for exotic fishes, both big and small, the show goes across the globe and explores the cultures and stories of the people who have seen these creatures. 

“When a Stranger Calls” — Quincy Bentley, sports editor

Bentley’s love for horror shows in his pick, calling it a horror movie without the gore. “Though it was made in 1979, the suspense remains timeless. The utter intensity of the film kept me on the edge of my seat for the full 97 minutes,” he said. “(It’s) definitely worth the watch.”

The film follows high school student Jill Johnson who is terrorized by a killer during an evening of babysitting. She receives repeated calls asking her, “Have you checked the children lately?”

Books:

“Jurassic Park” by Michael Criton — Isabelle Jones, lifestyle editor

Jones is a self-professed lover of all things “Jurassic Park,” and her pick had her captivated by the relationship between man and dinosaurs — and its destructive nature. “For those waiting for Jurassic World Rebirth, take some time and learn about the origins of the franchise in this vicious adventure,” she said. 

The first in a duology, “Jurassic Park” explores the concept of cloning dinosaur DNA and its consequences. Much of the plot is similar to the movie, though of course creative liberties were taken during its filming. 

“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab — Hannah Field, editor-in-chief

“My favorite book of all time. Addie LaRue is cursed to live forever and be known by nobody — until somebody remembers her and, against all odds, they vow to rewrite their past and future as one. V.E. Schwab writes with magnetic prose in this standalone novel, capturing the human experience in such a captivating story,” Field says. 

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak — Addie Floyd, head designer

Perhaps one of the greatest books of our time, Floyd’s choice is one that she says broke her heart to pieces. “(It’s) definitely a life-changing book. I finished this book when I was in class my senior year of high school,” she says. “Worst idea ever. I should have known better. After all, it is narrated by death.”

Music:

“Preacher’s Daughter” by Ethel Cain — Ruth Simonsen, digital media manager

At Terry House, there’s one rule: in Ruth’s music we trust, and her choice of Ethel Cain’s album is the best example of why this is. “This album strikes home for anyone with religious trauma, as it follows the daughter of a preacher through her life, brutal death and afterlife,” she says. “Listen to this album during the quiet hours of the evening, preferably with a candle burning and noise-canceling headphones.”

“the sugar machine” by slenderbodies — Kiera Roedel, copy editor

Aside from being our copy editor, Roedel is also phenomenal at writing deep-dive album reviews, so this is familiar territory for her. 

“A falsetto-laden dream-pop record about yearning for days gone by and wishing for love and tranquility. Soft guitars, synthesizers and unusual percussion lines make it a peaceful yet engaging listen,” she says. “It doesn’t hurt that almost every song has an earworm chorus.”

“Imaginary Appalachia” by Colter Wall — Jaylin Emond-Hardin, entertainment editor

My personal pick, Wall’s debut album is reminiscent of the days of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. With soulful lyrics that dredge up images of the American South, this album is sure to make one yearn for the days of open ranges, cowboys and whiskey so strong it would knock the fuzz off a peach. 

Podcasts:

“The Magnus Archives” — Sadie Latimer, news editor

A horror anthology podcast, “The Magnus Archives” progresses as Jonathan Sims archives a collection of statements dealing with the paranormal. Each episode varies between 20 and 40 minutes and is sure to keep listeners riveted. 

“This podcast is long, but so worth it. Throughout the 200 episodes, it delves into the supernatural world and what it really means to be human,” Latimer says. 

“Old Gods of Appalachia” — Jaylin Emond-Hardin, entertainment editor

Another horror anthology podcast, “Old Gods of Appalachia” narrates the sordid and violent events surrounding the town of Barlo, Kentucky and its paranormal origins. 

With a backing soundtrack that throws listeners into the moment, this is a podcast that is truly terrifying. 

“Ologies” — Ruth Simonsen, digital media manager

This podcast is filled with interviews from experts in basically every field — “If it has an ‘-ology,’ it has an episode,” Simonsen says. 

With more than 130 episodes, the podcast explores the truly wild and niche fields, including basket weaving, called canistrumology. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

“Onyx Storm” review

February 5, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“Onyx Storm” was perhaps the most anticipated book of 2025, an accomplishment it certainly lives up to. The third installment of Rebecca Yarros’ “Empyrean” series, “Onyx Storm” continues where its older sister “Iron Flame” left off. 

The series follows Cadet Violet Sorrengail during her time at Basgiath War College, but as the series progresses, the stakes only increase and become more sordid. 

This book was a roller coaster of emotions, leaving me speechless from cover to cover and in tears by the end. The characters that Yarros fleshed out so lovingly in “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” get so much more depth in this third book, and many side characters take the forefront of the plot. I beg: especially pay attention to Ridoc and Aotrom and, now beloved by the fandom, “Broccoli the Cat.”

In its first week alone, “Onyx Storm” sits at the top of not one, but two “New York Times” bestsellers lists — Combined Print and E-Book and Print Hardcover — with “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” holding numbers two and three on these lists. 

Copies of this book have flown off the shelf, with the Target exclusive edition selling out within hours of the book’s release and remaining sold out for the time being. This edition featured a colored map of The Continent — where most of the story takes place — in its endpapers, full-color art and a pre-attached black ribbon bookmark. Copies of this edition are currently being sold for $100 or more on eBay.

With the cliffhanger ending readers are left, anticipation for the fourth installment is already high. However, Yarros herself has stated that she has not started working on it, nor is likely to until 2026. As a disabled author — like her series’ protagonist, Yarros has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome — the grind of meeting the deadline while also trying to be a mother of six proved rather difficult for her health, and as such, she is taking a much-needed break. 

Until then, fans can only scour their copies for any clues and speculate what will happen next.

10/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Finding your center

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

For thousands of years, people have been practicing the ancient art of yoga. The combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation and ethical principles cultivate a harmonious balance between the body, mind and spirit. Yoga offers numerous benefits to anyone, no matter their age, fitness level or lifestyle.

Among the benefits of this practice is its adaptability. Yoga is a spectrum. From gentle stretching to advanced poses that challenge strength and flexibility, it can be tailored to one’s specific needs. With adaptability, this practice isn’t simply about getting into shape or achieving the perfect pose — it’s about honoring the body. This honor develops a sense of balance, peace and strength. 

Emotional well-being is another benefit that comes with yoga. When it comes to fitness, many think about the body, but overlook the mind and soul. Yoga can help one to regulate their emotions and feel completely relaxed. The increase in emotional well-being can potentially reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Once a person is able to connect their mind, body and soul, then everything becomes balanced. 

One cannot forget about the many benefits yoga provides to the heart. Being heart healthy is extremely important since heart disease — heart attack and stroke — is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart disease can be prevented through physical activity. Yoga has all the essential components of a healthy body and is a perfect style of workout for anyone on a budget. Each pose targets different muscle groups, allowing this practice to become a full-body workout that doesn’t require any equipment. 

If one is looking for a few yoga poses then look no further.

Downward Dog — Keep both toes pointed towards the front of the mat and sink the heels toward the floor, with the weight mostly in the legs and reach the hips high with heels stretching toward the floor. This pose is a great stretch for the hamstrings, calves, shoulders and back while also strengthening the arms and legs.

Warrior I — Start in a standing position, step one foot back and align the hips and shoulders. Keep the arms overhead and engage the core and legs. Look forward while holding the pose for a few seconds, then breathe with control. This pose helps to build strength, stability and flexibility in the legs, hips and upper body. 

Cat-Cow stretch — Start out on all fours. For the cow pose, inhale while dropping the belly to the floor and lifting the chest up. The cat pose starts with exhaling and rounding the back towards the ceiling. This is a simple and effective pose for increasing flexibility and relieving tension in the back. 

Child’s pose — This grounding pose helps to relax and gently stretch the body. Start on the knees, then sit back on the heels and extend the arms forward. Lower the forehead to the mat and breathe deeply. It provides a gentle stretch for one’s back, hips, thighs and ankles. It also does not challenge strength or balance. 

Corpse pose — This is among the most important poses as it becomes a transition from one’s yoga journey to returning to the responsibilities of our daily lives. Having the body remain still for a period of time challenges the mind to find inner peace and calmness. 

Yoga is a powerful and simple way for anyone to improve their health and find inner peace. If one doesn’t know where to begin in their yoga journey, then look no further than Western’s campus recreation. This Winter term, the Health and Wellness Center has yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:10 – 6 p.m. and 6:10 – 7 p.m. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

    Western basketball struggles

    Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

    Western’s men’s basketball team has faced a challenging stretch this season, and the struggles were visible during their recent matchups against Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington. The “Wolves’” game against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks Thursday was emblematic of their season’s difficulties. Though they had an encouraging start to the game, Western fell 84-60 in front of their home crowd at New PE. Leading scorer Jason Gallant finished the contest with 14 points and two steals, continuing to prove he is a reliable source on offense. Senior guard, Jahville Collins, followed up with 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, while forward Anjay Cortez chipped in seven points with two steals. Despite these individual efforts, the team struggled to generate momentum on the defensive end, where they were unable to contain the Nighthawks. Unfortunately, the loss dropped the “Wolves” to 4-14 overall and 1-7 in GNAC play.
    Just two days later, Western hosted Central Washington. The “Wolves” suffered another lopsided defeat, falling 93-71, marking their 15th loss of the season. They started the game focused, even taking an early 11-9 lead after a three-pointer from Gallant. However, Central Washington quickly regained control and never looked back. The biggest struggle for the “Wolves” seemed to be their defensive lapses and turnovers, which were exploited by Central Washington, allowing them to build a comfortable lead by halftime. The second half saw more of the same as the “Wolves” struggled to keep pace.
    Gallant delivered another strong performance, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting. His ability to score efficiently has truly been one of the few bright spots for Western this season. Collins also added 15 points and three steals, while first-year Mario Williams Jr. contributed 10 points and five rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.
    The back-to-back losses to Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington highlight the broader challenges Western has faced throughout the season. Defensively, the “Wolves” have struggled, allowing their opponents to generate far too many high-percentage shots. On the offensive side, the “Wolves” have relied heavily on a few key players, particularly Gallant, Williams and Collins, to shoulder the scoring load.
    As the season continues, Western’s ability to learn from their struggles will determine how they finish. While the results have been disappointing, the lessons learned during this challenging season could lay the groundwork for future success. For now, the Wolves remain focused on improving with each game, one possession at a time.

    Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

    Rugby All Stars

    Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

    National Collegiate Rugby, the governing body for all collegiate rugby teams and clubs, annually hosts an All-Star tournament. The teams are composed of the best of the best from each region, featuring All-Stars and Rising Stars brackets.

    This year, both the men’s and women’s+ rugby teams sent players to the tournaments in Atlanta, Georgia. Isaac Bare and Sangato Letisi represented Western on the Pac-Coast Grizzlies, and seven of the twelve Cascade Rising Stars were from Western’s women’s+ team — Emily Moore, Estela Miranda-Aguilar, Jada Miller, Journey Petry, Katie Allydice, Kayla Anderson and Tessa Medina. 

    This was the second year that Bare and Letisi have represented Western at the All-Stars tournament, their first year being in Austin, Texas for the 2024 team. However, this is the first time the women’s+ team, and their conference, have been represented at the tournament since 2020. 

    It wasn’t just Western players representing at the tournament, either. Women’s+ Head Coach Nic Smith led the Cascade Rising Stars, with Moore and Miranda-Aguilar as captains. 

    “As a coach, I had to figure out how to adapt in a way that was beneficial to the team, putting the pieces together to form a roster that worked given the variety of experience and skill presented in each player,” Coach Smith said. “The players were receptive and each game they got better and better, working with each other and trusting in one another’s ability. It was a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of.” 

    Smith also touched on the differences between coaching an All-Stars team and coaching during the regular season. “[In the regular season], you have the ability to practice weekly, honing skill and building chemistry amongst the team, identifying what works and what doesn’t … coaching an All-Stars team where players come from multiple teams, you don’t get that opportunity.”

    During the men’s tournament, Letisi scored one try for the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, Bare went scoreless, though he felt he was strongest when it came to making tackles and being present in the rucks. 

    Miranda-Aguilar and Moore also made waves at the tournament; Miranda-Aguilar was named for the Rising Stars All-Tournament Team and Moore was in the top three of conversions scored. Together, they scored five of the team’s 15 tries, and Moore made all seven of the team’s conversions. Medina scored two tries during the tournament as well. 

    Both Moore and Miranda-Aguilar were named MVPs for the team, with Moore claiming Backs MVP and Miranda-Aguilar Tournament MVP. 

    Moore was also chosen for the Pacific Northwest U23 Selects, a team composed of the top players from the Pacific Northwest. PNW Rugby, the governing body for senior club rugby in the Pacific Northwest, oversees the growth, regulations and standards for Rugby Union clubs in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The PNW U23 team will face Central Washington University Feb. 15. 

    Both of Western’s teams head into their spring sevens season with their eyes set on punching a ticket to the National Tournament in Washington, D.C., in April of 2025. With strong rosters and impressive team unity, this goal might be closer than they think. 

    Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

    National championship

    Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

    In a thrilling finale to the 2024 college football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes secured their ninth national championship title by defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 Jan. 20. This crucial game, played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, marked Ohio State’s first national championship since 2014. What was particularly significant about the contest is that it occurred in the inaugural year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format.
    Entering the playoffs as the No. 8 seed with a 13-2 record, Ohio State faced notable opponents, including a clutch 28-14 victory over Texas in the Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The Buckeyes’ path to the title was different than most, being the first national champions to have lost two regular-season games, highlighting their ability to triumph over obstacles.
    In the championship game, Ohio State controlled the early possessions, scoring touchdowns on each of their first four tries while also adding a field goal on their fifth. Led by quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins, the Buckeyes jumped to a 31-7 lead by the middle of the third quarter. Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, racked up 100 yards on just 11 carries, scoring three touchdowns, including an insane 70-yard run.
    However, Notre Dame refused to back down. Two quick touchdowns and two successful two-point conversions brought the Fighting Irish within eight points late in the fourth quarter. As tension filled the stadium, legendary former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz was shown on the big screen, giving his team a thumbs-up and sending energy through the crowd. But, ultimately, Notre Dame’s revival fell short when Jeremiah Smith’s highlight catch allowed Ohio State to retake control and crush their opponent’s momentum.
    Will Howard, a Kansas State transfer, was a gem for the Buckeyes throughout the playoffs and shined in the championship game. He completed 13 straight passes at the start of the contest, finishing the night with 231 passing yards and two touchdowns. While his final stats were impressive, it was his calm demeanor and ability to deliver under pressure that will be remembered. Jeremiah Smith, the team’s standout receiver, also came through when it mattered most, turning a relatively quiet night into one for the ages with a pivotal catch.
    The addition of Quinshon Judkins via the transfer portal also highlighted Ohio State’s strategic roster building. His physical play style, combined with his playmaking ability, gave the Buckeyes a big advantage that opposing defenses struggled to contain throughout the playoffs.
    Although they had multiple clutch plays, Ohio State’s dominance extended far beyond that. The Buckeyes were able to outgain Notre Dame 445 yards to 308 and punted just once all evening. Howard’s efficiency and the offensive line’s control over the game were critical factors in the Buckeyes’ success.
    Postgame, Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman faced some tough questions, including one about the decision to attempt a fake punt that failed and a missed field goal attempt off the left upright. There were great plays made on both ends of the field, and though the Irish gave a valiant effort, especially in the fourth quarter, they simply just couldn’t match Ohio State’s execution.
    Although they came up short in the National Championship, Notre Dame has plenty to be proud of. Finishing the season with an impressive 14-2 record, the Fighting Irish defeated multiple top-tier teams on their journey to the title game. Reaching this stage is a dream for most players, and for Notre Dame, it’s a testament to their grit and determination. With their eyes set on the future, the Fighting Irish can take pride in this remarkable season while also aiming to change the outcome the next time they have the opportunity to do so.

    Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu