Mount Hood

Boise State phenom

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Boise State University running back Ashton Jeanty is taking the college football world by storm with his consistent record-breaking performances throughout the 2024 season. Not only is he the top contender for the Heisman Trophy this year, but the junior running back is also on pace to break Barry Sanders’ legendary single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards in one season. Jeanty’s sporadic play has brought him and his team national attention, with fans and scouts taking note of his ability to make plays from anywhere on the field. 

The 20-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, has proven himself to be an absolute weapon on Boise State’s offense, averaging a whopping 9.9 yards per carry in only six games. He also has racked up 126 rushes for 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, leaving him as one of the top rushers in the nation. 

Other than his speed, another aspect of Jeanty’s athletic ability that stands out is his strength. The 5-foot-9-inch junior can bench press 320 pounds, power clean 300 pounds and even squat 600 pounds. Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson stated, “He once did 605 like it was nothing and he had to be cut off.”

Much of Jeanty’s success is attributed to his strength and conditioning work off the field. The statistics that he has put up this year are nothing but a testament to the hard work he has put in on and off the field. This level of physical fitness is rare among college running backs and has truly made him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. 

Boise State currently holds a record of 5-1, with their only loss being to No. 1 University of Oregon. Although the Ducks came out of the game with the win, containing Ashton Jeanty was something they struggled with. Even against the powerhouse University of Oregon, Jeanty ran for 192 yards and scored three touchdowns. His performance almost allowed Boise State to pull off the upset, but instead, they gave Oregon their second-closest game, losing by only three points. 

For now, Jeanty has made it clear that he is focused on one thing and one thing only: winning. No one has been able to stop him, and he doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon. The real question is will college teams continue to allow the Boise State running back to spoil their season?

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western falls short

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Following an eventful homecoming week, Western students and fans were eager for the highlight of the weekend, the homecoming football game. The Western Wolves took on Texas A&M Kingsville in a high-stakes, much-anticipated match. With both teams entering with strong records — Wolves at 5-0 in conference play and Kingsmen at 3-2 — this game was set to be an exciting showdown that would test each team’s grit and endurance.
Jordan McCarty started the game off with a 6-yard run into the end zone, while freshman kicker Keaton Emmett finished it off with an extra point, adding a total of seven points to the scoreboard for the Wolves. It wasn’t long until the opposing offense responded though, as the Kingsmen followed up with a touchdown and extra point of their own.
Going into the second quarter, the score was tied at 7-7. Both teams were getting stops on the defensive end, but Andrew Simpson’s impressive interception midway through the quarter shifted momentum in the Wolves’ favor. Things were looking great for Western, as they continued to gain yards and attention from fans, but unfortunately, they weren’t able to capitalize off of Simpson’s play. The possessions continued to go back and forth, but the Kingsmen were able to score seven points right before halftime, making the score 7-14 in Texas A&M’s favor going into the half.
In an intense third quarter, the Wolves faced an uphill battle as their opponents widened the gap with a touchdown and extra point. This set the score to 7-21. However, a strong run from redshirt sophomore Jermaine Land revived the Wolves’ offense, putting them in position for a much-needed touchdown. Soon after, the Wolves struck, with a crucial touchdown pass and a successful kick to narrow the Kingsmen’s lead to just seven points. Their defense held strong, stopping the opposing offense and leaving the Wolves trailing 14-21 as they headed into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter started with a bang as the Wolves pulled off an impressive series of plays. A well-placed throw found senior wide receiver Damon Hickok, who made an acrobatic catch for a massive gain. Another pass to Hickok set the Wolves within 20 yards of the end zone. The next play, redshirt sophomore Kainoa Sayre had a strategic run, placing them only three yards from tying the game. Despite their efforts, a costly fumble on third down turned the possession over. Yet shortly after, the Wolves’ defense kept the dream alive, capped off by an outstanding interception from redshirt junior Daron Ulrich Jr. However, they couldn’t convert on their final chances, even after blocking a critical punt. Ultimately, Texas A&M ran out the clock, leaving the Wolves just shy of a comeback.
The Wolves — 5-3 overall, 5-1 Lone Star Conference — have a chance to redeem themselves next week as they travel to take on Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Contact the author at howlsports@mail.wou.edu

Ohtani’s dominance

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Shohei Ohtani’s recent performances have been nothing short of historic, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile players in modern baseball. The Japanese-born superstar has gained fans worldwide with his incredible achievements as both a hitter and a pitcher — a feat that’s rarely seen in the game.

In the 2023 season, Ohtani showed the world what a dual-threat player looks like. As a hitter for the Los Angeles Angels, he led the entire league in home runs for most of the season, establishing his spot among the best sluggers in the MLB. Ohtani’s power and precision were demonstrated with each swing, as he consistently launched balls out of the park and delivered clutch hits in high-pressure situations. He finished the 2023 season with a league-leading 44 home runs, while also striking out 167 batters, despite an elbow injury that limited his playing time toward the end of the season.

After the 2023 season, Ohtani took advantage of his free agency and decided to stay in Los Angeles, signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. His contract went down in history as the largest deal in North American sports.

Right when people thought he couldn’t get any better, Ohtani shocked the world in the 2024 regular season. On the offensive side, Ohtani nearly captured one of the MLB’s most coveted awards, the Triple Crown. This award recognizes players who lead the league in three major categories; batting average, home runs, and runs batted in — RBIs — a feat that hasn’t even been touched since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. By the end of the season, Ohtani had a .310 batting average, which was just short of the league leader, Michael Harris II. Nevertheless, Ohtani dominated in home runs and RBIs, truly showcasing his ability to hit for power and precision. Ohtani also is the first baseball player in history to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season, and the ball he set this record with was sold for 4.4 million dollars. In his first year with the Dodgers, he won the National League Most Valuable Player award, led his team to the World Series and recorded the highest home run count by a Dodgers player in a single season.

Ohtani’s impact goes beyond his statistics. He has reignited global interest in baseball, especially among fans in Japan. In a sport where specializing in one position has become the norm, Ohtani’s ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter has defied conventional wisdom. His skillset goes hand in hand with his relentless work ethic, proving that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Homecoming week

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

Every year for one week during the fall term, Western students come together to show off their school spirit. From Oct. 21 – 26, the campus was filled with many events, such as trivia games, a carnival and a dodgeball tournament. The week drew to a close with the homecoming football game Saturday, Oct. 26.

The week started with an event called “Paint the Town Red,” hosted by ASWOU. Many different clubs on campus were able to paint the windows of businesses on Main Street in Monmouth. Many clubs participated, including the Native and Indigenous Culture Club, Math Club, Public Health Club, ASL Club and M.E.Ch.A Club. 

On Monday evening, students gathered at Luna’s Café. They ordered drinks, socialized with their peers and got to use coffee to paint their canvases in aa relaxed and creative environment. This “Paint and Sip” event was hosted by Student Engagement. 

A trivia night was hosted Tuesday by the Residence Hall Association in the Summit in the Werner University Center — WUC. The theme for the event was “Under the Sea.” Students teamed up with each other to test their knowledge of ocean facts. There were snacks available for everyone and fun prizes for the winners, some students walking away with items such as a Squishmallow or a blanket. 

The Homecoming Carnival, hosted by Student Engagement, was Oct. 23 and occurred in the Grove. Students milled around the rows of carnival games and won prizes with others joining the long line to get a custom-made airbrushed hat or bag. Meanwhile, other students took full advantage of bounce houses propped up for their leisure. There was also cotton candy, shaved ice and popcorn available. Many people simply walked around and took in all of the sights. During the carnival, students also gathered to help re-paint Western’s emblem onto Church Street. 

“The Homecoming Carnival is one of my favorite traditions,” said Karina Barron, a videographer for the event. 

The club fair — Thursday, Oct. 24 in the WUC — was a great opportunity for students to learn about different organizations and clubs they could join. Tables and posters were set up all around the second floor of the WUC that showcased nearly all of the clubs and organizations that Western has to offer. Some clubs also advertised upcoming events that they were organizing. For instance, Student Veterans of America — SVA — promoted a display in the WUC from Nov. 1 – Nov. 14 of people who currently serve or have previously served in the military. Students can add their loved ones to the display by filling out the Google Form linked in the SVA’s Instagram account. ASWOU, who hosted the fair, helped encourage students to get involved on campus. 

Also in the WUC during the same time as the club fair was an event called “Stop Horsing Around: Cookies and the Code.” Students could pet a miniature horse and eat free Crumbl Cookies while learning about Western’s Code of Conduct. 

Abby’s House hosted a purple-out volleyball game Thursday, where fans showed up dressed in purple to support domestic violence awareness. It was a well-fought game with Western’s volleyball team winning 3–0 against Alaska Anchorage. 

A dodgeball tournament was held Friday in Old PE. The teams were random, and the winners got bragging rights and Wolfie keychains with different animals dressed in Western T-shirts.

Friday night, students gathered around a bonfire for a pep rally while Western’s cheerleaders performed their routines. Students enjoyed good music, the warmth of the bonfire, socialized and observed an energetic cheer performance. Even though it started raining, students still stayed to celebrate their school. Many people commented how the rain made the event even more memorable.

The football game Saturday, Oct. 26 was a lively event, despite the wet conditions. The tailgate before the game was filled with excitement and paired with free food. Before the game started, Western’s choir and band performed the national anthem and the alma mater. The cheers of students and fans could be heard all throughout campus. At halftime, Western’s dance team stepped into the spotlight to perform. Abbi Duhart, a sophomore and member of the dance team, said, “Dancing at the homecoming football game was so much fun, especially with the stands being so full. I love my team and the choreography the officers come up with is amazing.”

Homecoming royalty was also crowned during halftime of the football game. The three winners were Daryn Heim, Amari Hendrix and Malia Fernandez. The homecoming royalty are students who are chosen because they represent the values of Western. 

“Western is a great community and I love what they do for its students,” said Eli Mignano, a sophomore at Western.

Homecoming week was a great way for students to show off their pride in Western. “Having school spirit is important for students. It boosts morale and helps them feel more connected to other students,” said Mignano.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu  

Stephanie Juanillo exhibition

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Stephanie Juanillo’s art display, “Entre Colores: Un Homenaje a la Vida y la Muerte (Between Colors: An Homage to Life and Death),” will be displayed in the Cannon Gallery in Campbell Hall until the end of October.

Featuring various acrylic paintings on canvas as well as an ofrenda — an altar in homage to Juanillo’s abuelito Berna, with candles, marigold flowers and a beautiful painting — the display puts on an equally powerful and beautiful message, honoring family and loved ones who have passed.

According to the Western calendar page, “Stephanie Juanilo’s exhibition … is a personal, bold and colorful exploration of the coexistence of grief and joy and how they both permeate the topics most important to her, such as migration, community, family, loss, distance and intergenerational healing.”

Juanillo, being a first-generation immigrant, utilizes “bold colors, patterns and textures (inspired by) Mexican iconography, Latinx music, past memories, people and nostalgia. The act of creating — whether it be painting, printmaking, collage or installation — serves as a way for Stephanie to stay connected to her Mexican roots.”

Juanillo’s Instagram, @color.obsessed, explores Juanillo’s relationship with art and projects current and past. One post features a painting on display in Cannon Gallery, with Juanillo captioning it: “Flowers have a deep cultural and emotional meaning in the immigrant community, I wanted to honor that as much as possible. This is dedicated to the physical and spiritual connection that many of us experience through nature. What a special way to stay connected to our native homes, family and traditions.”

Another post, featuring a collage piece centering around Juanillo’s abuelito Berna, states, “I wanted to emphasize and capture his joy for life. When I was in Mexico visiting my family, I was always greeted by him with a smile that eventually turned into laughter and then a warm hug. He showed me his plants and took pride in his love. Leaving Michoacán was really hard, but I carry the image of his warm smile and loving spirit in my memory always.”

In the center of the room, facing Berna’s ofrenda and the accompanying installation, a plaque with a typed letter from Stephanie Janillo read: 

“When my father left his home country, he kissed the earth and cried. Days turned into months, months into years, our new life in the U.S. began. Any and every object, song, smell, food that reminded my parents of home filled our house. Distance and borders, both physical and metaphorical, were met with an abundance of my mami’s cooking passed on from her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, soothing our neverending nostalgic void. Our garden, so meticulously cared for by my dad, became a refuge, a beautiful love for flowers and plants. I don’t know when the grief stops, the grief of not watching your parents grow old, of missing out on family celebrations and milestones. The grief of a friend or family member you were not able to say goodbye to and hug for the very last time. I don’t think it ever really stops or goes away because it is an extension of the love we still hold for a person, place and moment in time. So as each November approaches and we get closer to (Dia de los Muertos), I take the time to sit with these feelings. Marigolds decorate our altars and homes, a guide to help the spirit of those who have passed find their way back home. The souls of our loved ones return in the form of a monarch butterfly. Photographs and favorite foods of the dead adorn the ofrendas. Stories are shared, (life that was lived and is yet to live is celebrated and cries and laughter synchronize. I’m reminded that) to love and to be loved is a gift and one of the greatest honors we get to experience as humans. I’m reminded of the value, power and resilience of keeping traditions alive.

So I ask you, if you had to leave your home today, if you had to leave your family, friends and everything you’ve ever known and loved, what would help you stay connected? What memories would you preserve? What pictures would you decorate your new home with? How would you (spend your last week with those you love? What would you leave unsaid? What would become a) physical representation of your grief and longing? How would your definition of home change?

May this show be a love letter to my family and all of the immigrants who are forced to leave their homeland. Their story and their sacrifice are always with me and woven into every piece I make. (May this show be an invitation for you to love more intentionally, to celebrate life and sit) with whatever grief you are currently experiencing.”

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu.

Friends and where to meet them

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Making friends in today’s world is difficult with everyone glued to their phones for a sense of belonging and interaction. There are a few alternatives to making friends, or at least trying to, that aren’t boring or scary and will help build meaningful connections. 

Firstly, if in-person isn’t the immediate go-to, many apps such as Bumble BFF and Friender have people who are in similar situations looking for friends. These apps allow users to display their interests and preferences clearly and safely to help find similar people. Other apps like Eventbrite, Meetup and Facebook groups target in-person interaction with a larger group setting to allow for multiple people at once to get to know each other at an event they all have an interest in. 

Functions such as paint and sips, trivia nights, speakeasies, pottery classes, cooking classes, bingo and many more introduce fun and crafts to socializing. It all depends on what an individual wants to explore and can open the door for meeting new people. Social media communities, such as Discord, are also very accessible. 

Work may not be the easiest place to navigate, but making friends with co-workers can potentially allow for friendship in and outside of the workplace. If there are charity events or potlucks through work, that is a great place to further that connection. There is also networking for employees to learn about upcoming events and introduce themselves to higher-up employees.

Learning environments that offer plenty of opportunity for conversation, like taking up a new pastime in a classroom, are also excellent options and may be simple for oneself. Taking classes in-person or online gives students a chance to interact with each other and learn. 

Clubs such as book clubs, chess clubs and writers groups hold many event spaces for people to interact and get to know each other. In a similar space, if an individual is looking for a spiritual environment, there are many church events or groups held frequently. One could look for charity events or volunteering spaces to meet people, but also to help those in need. Charity events may include fundraisers and 5k marathons, and there are volunteering opportunities like helping at shelters for people and animals, beach clean-ups and food banks. 

Fitness clubs are also great opportunities to socialize while also working on fitness goals. Many gyms have different group classes such as Zumba, yoga, pilates, cycling and tennis, to name a few. This allows people to create a community within the gym and enjoy working out.      

Overall, finding friends takes a bit of searching and many conversations. It can be challenging with the rise of social media, but taking one step at a time and looking in the right places could be a great start. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Sweet like candy

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Every year children knock on strangers’ doors to get that delicious sweet treat, and sometimes that treat is hit or miss. People browse the candy aisle at their nearby Walmart and see that there are so many options to choose from, but which are the best? What candy will kids stash so that their parents won’t take any? That is where this list comes in handy and the results might shock many.  

S++ Tier — 

  • Full-size candy bars of any kind

S Tier — 

  • Reese’s, specifically the ones in the gold wrapper, also known as the miniature cups; don’t get any of the shaped Reese’s; they are different from regular Reese’s 
  • Kit Kats, but the snack size, and the chocolate-to-crisps ratio is where it’s at
  • Snickers 
  • Gummy bears 
  • Butterfingers 
  • Twix 
  • Lindt brand Lindor truffles 

A Tier —

  • Snickers Peanut Butter 
  • Peanut Butter M&Ms 
  • Peanut M&Ms 
  • Crunch
  • Simply Caramel Milky Way
  • Sour Skittles 
  • Swedish Fish 
  • Trolli Sour Bite Crawlers 

B Tier —

  • Starburst 
  • Cookies and Crème Hershey’s
  • Whatchamacallit 
  • Sour Patch Kids 
  • Caramel apple suckers 
  • White Kit Kats
  • Life Savers gummies
  • Reese’s Pieces 
  • Werther’s originals 
  • Ghirardelli squares 
  • Ring Pops 
  • Pixy Stix

C Tier —

  • Milky Way
  • Smarties 
  • Hershey’s 
  • Hershey’s Kisses 
  • Almond Joy 
  • Rolos 
  • 100 Grand 
  • Nerds clusters 
  • Heath bars 
  • Rucker’s molasses peanut butter candy 
  • Strawberry hard candies 
  • Dove chocolate 
  • Blow Pops 

D Tier —

  • Skittles 
  • Airheads 
  • Dum-Dums 
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • M&Ms 
  • Peppermint patties 
  • Paydays 
  • Nerds
  • Tootsie Pops 
  • Fundips 
  • Jolly Ranchers 
  • Baby Ruths 
  • Mike and Ikes 
  • Runts 
  • Atomic Fireball round cinnamon candies
  • Chick-O-Stick 
  • Warheads 
  • Lemonheads 

Trash Can — 

  • Whoppers 
  • Candy corn 
  • Raisinets 
  • Mounds 
  • Three Musketeers 
  • Milk Duds, because they get stuck in your teeth 
  • Bit-O-Honey 
  • Dots 
  • Reese’s Take 5
  • Sno-Caps
  • SweeTARTS
  • Twizzlers 
  • Bottlecaps  
  • Jelly beans 
  • Gobstoppers 
  • Red Hots 
  • Sugar Babies 
  • Good & Plenty 
  • Hot Tamales 
  • Laffy Taffy 
  • Life Savers 
  • Apples 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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

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