oregon – Page 3 – The Western Howl

February 12, 2025

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Oregon will be celebrating its 166th birthday Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

In celebration, the Oregon State Capitol typically holds an event on the Saturday closest to Valentine’s Day, although no information for 2025 has been released thus far.

Established in 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state on the day of love. Portland was established earlier in 1851 — yet Astoria takes the cake as Oregon’s oldest town, founded in 1811 and being the first permanent United States settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.

Roughly 12 thousand people migrated to the region on the Oregon Trail, one of the most commonly-used routes during the period of westward expansion in the U.S., finding their way to Oregon and leading to its founding.

Oregon, despite its current progressive status, does harbor a racist past; at its establishment, it had racial exclusionary laws, banning Black people from many towns until 1866. Although Oregon has come a long way, its history is vital to recall.

When compared to other states, Oregon stands out for its natural beauty, notoriously gloomy weather and state hub, Portland, occasionally called the “City of Roses.”

Oregon is the only state to have a two-sided flag. It also carries an impactful motto, separate from the flag: “She flies with her own wings.”

Geographically, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the whole country at 1,943 feet deep. In contrast, Oregon, for a period of time, had the shortest river in the world — D River — at 440 feet long, per Guinness World Records. The title has since been claimed by a shorter river elsewhere.

Oregon is home to about four million residents, and, possibly, one sasquatch. Some could say Oregon is obsessed with Bigfoot, boasting the Oregon Sasquatch Festival at Mt. Hood and the Glide Sasquatch Festival — “Big feet, bigger party.” Notoriously, Oregon also has the only known Bigfoot trap in the world in the Siskiyou National Forest.

Albany, Oregon, invites guests to the Monteith House — Albany’s oldest residence — at 11 a.m – 3 p.m. both Friday, Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day and Oregon’s 166th birthday — and Saturday, Feb. 15 for cake paired with a history lesson. The event is free to attend.

The Salem City Club will be hosting a trivia event, free admission, at noon on Friday, Feb. 14, at the Willamette Heritage Center.

Hillsboro, Oregon, advertises a craft workshop for Oregon’s birthday, describing it as “a fun-filled day of creativity and community as we honor the beautiful state of Oregon.”

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

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Salem speaks out

February 12, 2025

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

At approximately noon Wednesday, Feb. 5, hundreds of protesters lined up on both sides of Center Street north of the Oregon State Capitol building in defiance of President Trump, the deportation of illegal immigrants, Project 2025, Palestine’s destruction and Elon Musk. Oregonians came together for the 50501 movement, calling for 50 protests in 50 states in one day.

Many boasted signs and flags in respect to a variety of issues surfacing in America. Various chants rose above car horns blasting from supporters driving past: “This is what democracy looks like,” “We’re not going back,” “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go,” “Be loud, be clear, immigrants are welcome here” and “Free, free, free Palestine.”

“Today I’m here in solidarity with all working class people … we are facing — this has been an issue since forever — but right now, we’re at the precipice of some serious change,” said one protestor. “It’s important for people to show up, but there are people who are physically disabled who can’t be here, and I’m here representing my friends who can’t come out and be in the streets, but they’re also an integral part of our movement. We all matter.”

One woman — @theladyofportland on TikTok — was seen live streaming from atop her car, standing over the crowd. “I’m here to deport Musk and impeach Trump,” she said. “(I’m streaming because) I have a lot of followers. Because we’re at a protest, the biggest protest since Black Lives Matter — it’s even bigger than Portland’s (protest.)”

Multiple American flags flew, alongside various Pride flags and transgender flags. Some signs referenced educational concerns alongside reproductive rights.

According to the 50501 movement, more than 60 protests across 40 states have been arranged and turnout has amassed 72,000 participants nationwide.

Fourth-year Western student Desiree Hite, who attended the protest, stated, “Everybody matters. Everybody’s equal. Everybody deserves to live here and be here.”

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

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Galentine’s Day

February 12, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Feb. 13, unofficially known as Galentine’s Day, has become a beloved holiday for women around the world. While Valentine’s Day often centers on romantic love, Galentine’s Day shines a spotlight on the power of friendship and the importance of strong female bonds. Galentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate supportive women that make life more enjoyable.

At its core, the holiday is about appreciating the women in one’s life who bring love, support and laughter. These friendships may have been formed in school, at work or through common interests, and they often become the pillars of emotional well-being. In a world where female rivalry has often been emphasized, Galentine’s Day serves as a reminder of the power of women supporting women. By fostering an environment of support and solidarity, women can empower one another to reach their goals and continue challenging societal norms. It’s a chance to focus on the collective power of women, who — together — can accomplish incredible things.

Ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day

1. Host a brunch or dinner party
Hosting a brunch or dinner with close friends and female family members is one of the most popular ways to celebrate. Whether it’s dining out or serving up homemade favorites, the focus should be on sharing good food and good conversation with wonderful peers. The Lively Station in South Salem is a quiet, tucked away restaurant perfect for any group wanting local food.

2. Spa day or self-care retreat
For those who want a more relaxing celebration, a spa day or DIY pampering session with friends can be a great way to bond. Facemasks, manicures and a cozy atmosphere can provide the perfect setting for relaxing and rejuvenation. Turn the living room into a DIY spa sanctuary with calming music, candles and soothing treatments.

3. Movie or TV show marathon
There’s nothing like having a cozy night in with friends, snacks and a good movie. According to Good Housekeeping, among the most popular Galentine’s Day movies to watch include “Pitch Perfect,” “Legally Blonde,” “Bridesmaids,” “Booksmart,” “13 Going on 30,” “A League of Their Own” and “Pride and Prejudice.”

4. Go on a fun adventure
Create new and fun memories with one’s gal pals by going on a day adventure. If one is looking for a unique activity in Salem, head to the Coin Jam, 21 and over only, Exitus escape room or Wreckingballers. It’s sure to be a blast and a great way to relieve some stress.

Whether it’s celebrating with an extravagant gathering or a quiet evening with close friends, Galentine’s Day is about embracing the value of female friendship and the power of connection. It serves as a reminder that love isn’t confined to romantic relationships and that the bonds formed by our friends are just as meaningful and important. Galentine’s Day encourages us to lift each other up. It’s a day to recognize the strength, beauty and resilience that come from celebrating and supporting each other.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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ASWOU

February 5, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

The Associated Students of Western — ASWOU — is Western’s official student government. It is run by students, for students.

ASWOU is extremely active on campus, representing students’ interests and needs, overseeing clubs, putting together programs on campus and ensuring that students have their voices heard.

ASWOU President Brenda Rocio Martinezis a fourth-year student at Western, double majoring in communications and public policy and administration.

“My role is (mainly) representing students in general and having their best interest in mind,” Rocio Martinez said. As a student herself, Rocio Martinez is always looking for ways to support her peers. “We always like to put our ear to the ground and see (what students want and need.)”

ASWOU not only supports individual students but student clubs as well. Joining a club is how Rocio Martinez first got involved on campus, followed by her becoming a justice in the judicial branch of ASWOU. After that, she was ASWOU’s director of PR, then, finally, the president.

Rocio Martinez knows the importance of getting involved through clubs on campus, so she strives to make sure the clubs have the resources, training and support they need. One of her goals is to allow the clubs to collaborate and connect with each other.

“I just want to be able to serve students,” Rocio Martinez said. “We are student-funded, so we’re here for (students).” ASWOU is funded by the IFC — Incidental Fee Committee. Students pay a set amount as part of their tuition and fees, which goes towards several student activities on campus, including but not limited to ASWOU, student media, Abby’s House, WOLF Ride, athletics, campus recreation, childcare and more.

Every person involved in ASWOU is dedicated to making their fellow students’ voices heard. “People in higher positions like faculty and staff are wanting the students’ perspective, and ASWOU can give that perspective,” Rocio Martinez said.

“Elections should be coming pretty soon for anyone who wants my position in the future. And I will say this: it’s not hard, it’s fun,” Rocio Martinez said. She loves getting to be more involved in her community as ASWOU president. According to Rocio Martinez, the position has helped her become a better leader. It has also been helpful for her field of study and will likely apply to the career path she wishes to follow. ASWOU elections will begin at the start of spring term. For students who wish to run for election, applications open March 8.

ASWOU has weekly public meetings on Fridays in the Calapooia room of the Werner University Center. The executive branch of ASWOU holds their meeting at 12 p.m. and the senate meets at 2 p.m.

The judicial branch’s meetings are not weekly, instead they are held “when there’s work to do,” Rocio Martinez said. “That entails rules being broken by any clubs or any students, if there are any concerns or if people just want an interpretation of a law.”

For students who have concerns, comments or questions, an ASWOU senate meeting is the place to be. The senate focuses on things such as bylaws, getting involved with the clubs they oversee and the needs of students.

If students have large concerns, they can fill out an ASWOU student feedback form, which goes to the senate. The form is located on the student portal under the My Programs tab.

Rocio Martinez knows how difficult it is to advocate for every student, which is why it is important for students to bring their concerns and feedback to ASWOU’s attention. A community thrives when everyone supports each other and works together to make positive changes.

“We ensure that students are well represented if they feel anything should change,” Rocio Martinez said. “Change comes with many people. It takes a village to make true change.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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“Day Without Immigrants”

February 5, 2025

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Content warning: this article discusses violence against immigrants and children

Monday, Feb. 3, saw advocates across the state of Oregon — as well as the rest of the country — join together in protest to highlight the hard work of immigrants in America. Businesses closed, civilians marched and noise was made, with many protesters flocking to the streets. The protests saw increased engagement following President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants in America, with many communities across the county witnessing deportation trucks in their neighborhoods.

The campaign, “Day Without Immigrants,” largely criticizes Trump’s mass deportation plan, following his attempts to end birthright citizenship and working to end the temporary citizenship granted to many immigrants to work in the United States. Advocates did not attend school nor work, boycotting businesses in an effort to showcase the impact and importance of immigrants. Many businesses closed in solidarity.

A major highway in Los Angeles, California, was closed down due to a massive march — igniting further protests in solidarity across America. More than 250 businesses were closed in Los Angeles during “Day Without Immigrants.”

District data recorded general Los Angeles school attendance from 93% on average for the year down to 63% for Monday, Feb. 3 — hundreds of students.

The “Day Without Immigrants” protest first occurred in 2017, following newly-elected President Trump’s insistence on building a wall along the United States’ southern border. Students were encouraged to stay home, while advocates boycotted businesses and did not go to work. Previously, a 2006 strike followed former President George W. Bush’s immigration reform plans, modeled similarly to “Day Without Immigrants.”

Despite Trump’s consistent assurance that only illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds will face deportation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that all illegal immigrants are criminals, considering their mere presence in the country to be against the law.

Media reports indicate an unknown, but large, number of deportations since Trump was reintegrated into office — somewhere between hundreds and thousands, children included.

Many businesses, however, could not close despite heavy hearts and desires to join in on the protests. Disadvantaged business owners and employees risk losing financial stability by closing, tied in with fear of ICE raids, leaving many immigrants scared to leave their homes and workplaces. Additionally, some feared denying their communities necessary resources, such as grocery stores, and decided to stay in operation.

Portland, Oregon, saw dozens of protesters along Stark Street, showcasing signs, flags and posters.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

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Who is Morgan Pemberton?

February 5, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

If there is an event occurring on Western’s campus, one student will surely be there: Morgan Pemberton. Pemberton is a junior at Western, double majoring in psychology and ASL studies and minoring in social science and is involved in many clubs and organizations on campus.

Pemberton took ASL classes all through high school and decided to pursue it in college. Western has a notable ASL program, which positively influenced her decision to enroll. She decided to study psychology and social science because of the classes she took that were outside her major being surprisingly enjoyable. “I like to dabble a little bit,” Pemberton said. “I like to take random classes.”

Pemberton is an out-of-state student and has moved around the US. “I was born outside of Chicago. I’ve also lived in Colorado, and I graduated high school in Arizona,” she said.

By nature, Pemberton is a very outgoing person. “I really like to talk,” she said. “I’m very social. I just like to be around people.” On the flip side, she also loves tuning out the world and listening to audiobooks.

“If you ever see me with my AirPods in, just know an audiobook is on full volume,” Pemberton joked.

Along with being a student, Pemberton also has multiple jobs on campus. She works as ASWOU’s judicial administrator, overseeing the justices, holding disciplinary hearings, interpreting rules and adding new rules to the constitution.

Pemberton works the front desk for academic advising, where she “(answers) a lot of phone calls and (connects) people to different places on campus.” She also leads tours and participates in panels as a campus ambassador, and is the coordinator for Destination Western — a two-week-long orientation program for incoming students.

“I’ve been invested in (Destination Western) since I was a participant when I was an incoming freshman, then I was a peer advisor my sophomore year and then last year I was a lead peer advisor,” Pemberton said. Now, she gets to supervise the peer advisors and lead staff training.

Pemberton is involved in many of the campus’ clubs, being the vice president of the ASL club, the social media manager for the Native Indigenous Culture Club as well as a member of Kappa Delta Chi — Western’s first-generation student sorority. She is also a multicultural representative mentor.

Pemberton is passionately involved with everything she has committed to. According to Pemberton, she is “just naturally a very cognitively high-energy person.” She thrives with lots of mental stimulation from her hobbies, work, clubs and her other involvements.

“My biggest tip for people if they want to do more is: you (have) to take care of your biological needs.” Sleep is very important to Pemberton, and she makes sure to get at least eight hours of rest every night. She also makes sure to drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food to keep herself energized for her many activities and responsibilities.

Pemberton keeps busy but still takes care of her mental health by making sure she is happy and fulfilled by everything she does. “I try to align what I do with what I want to do in the future and what aligns with my personal goals,” Pemberton said.

As for the future, she has plans after she graduates to continue her education and get her master’s degree. Pemberton, like many students, is apprehensive about what the future holds. She has fostered a great community at Western, but she knows that eventually, it will be time to move on.

“I am one of those people who’s always seeking out something new,” Pemberton said.

Before Pemberton goes on her post-education journey, she still has the rest of her junior and senior year to look forward to. This year, she’s especially excited for the annual Pow Wow, hosted by the Multicultural Student Union — MSU.

“This year (the Native Indigenous Culture) Club and MSU are teaming up,” Pemberton said. “We’re doing the Pow Wow this year. It’s been a lot of work and we’ve been really trying to put it together.” The 2025 Pow Wow is scheduled for April 19.

Pemberton may only be a junior, but she has sage words of wisdom for her fellow students: “Be open and rely on each other.” Pemberton wants students to know that they shouldn’t be afraid to open up and share things with each other.

“We live in a world where we are taught to not impose on each other or not be too much for other people,” Pemberton said. That, however, is what a community is for. Pemberton advised that people in a community are meant to rely on each other. Students shouldn’t be afraid of being “too much” for the people around them.

“That starts with you; you can’t just expect people to rely on you. You’ve got to open the door.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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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

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
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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Love letter to Oregon

Salem speaks out

Galentine’s Day

ASWOU

“Day Without Immigrants”

Rugby All Stars

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