Mount Hood

Red flag, red flag

April 22, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

We as humans are very social creatures; having a significant other can provide a lot of benefits. Being in a committed relationship, according to Northwestern Medicine, can lower the production of the stress-inducing hormone called cortisol. There have also been reports of living a longer life and having a greater sense of purpose when being with someone who can be described as a “better half.” As someone who is happily married, I can confirm that being in a healthy relationship is pretty awesome. 

However, not every relationship is meant to last, especially if the person isn’t a good partner. A lot of the time, we end up stuck in relationships that we think are healthy, but in reality can be extremely toxic. No one wants to be in a relationship with someone who isn’t going to treat them properly, so I thought I would provide the biggest red flags I’ve seen in many relationships, both my own and those of some close friends of mine, that eventually went sour. 

As a preface, I’m not a relationship guru. These are just some things that I think people should be aware of if they are unhappy with their partners. 

Overly controlling behavior — Possession over someone isn’t inherently a bad thing. After all, I am a little possessive of my husband and vice versa. Jealousy is one thing — control is another. Relationships should be a place where one feels free with the other, not feel chained to them. 

Controlling behavior from a partner can be a red flag, as it shows that they not only feel the need to be in control, but also want to control those who are closest to them. Some examples of overly controlling behavior would be forcing a partner to wear certain clothes, always being the center of attention, never accepting blame for situations they caused and consistently lying to their partner. I think a situation where this trait comes out a lot is whenever someone wants to go out, whether it be to a party or some sort of function, the partner gets jealous and tries to prevent the other from going. 

There is nothing wrong with going out with friends, but if one finds themselves wanting to avoid going out to “keep the peace,” that’s a big red flag, especially if they go out as much as they want. Now, if a partner wants to be controlling to the point where they want full control of the bank accounts and credit cards, that isn’t even a red flag — it’s a blaring alarm. Not only is it stripping someone’s ability to manage their finances, but it’s also a trap meant to keep the person tied to their partner. No one should ever feel trapped in a relationship. 

Narcissistic habits — Someone who is a narcissist or has the behavior of one has an extensive interest and admiration for themselves, likely believing that the world revolves around them. This often means they’re not able to recognize the needs and opinions of others. They may dismiss them or even overlook them, as they view their own interests or issues as more important. 

A good example is a lack of empathy, tied to invalidating their partner’s concerns and issues. At times, they may even make fun of their significant other when they’re visibly upset. It’s also important to be aware of gaslighting and manipulation. The narcissist can make their partner feel like everything is their fault, twisting their words to make them feel guilty over things that aren’t an issue. They’re also very egotistical, wanting constant compliments and what feels like worship from their partners. 

Narcissistic behavior can appear very differently. Oftentimes, those who are in relationships with people who have this sort of behavior don’t remember their partners being like this at the start. They were attentive, sweet, considerate and all the things that made someone want to be with them. That can lead to another red flag: love bombing. 

Love bombing — At the beginning of a relationship, there is something that most people refer to as the honeymoon phase. It’s when the relationship is exciting and new, people are getting to know each other and they learn about each other’s pet peeves and interests. 

However, love bombing is different. Love bombing is done with the intent of luring someone into a false sense of security. It could look similar to the honeymoon phase as it involves one person showering the other with attention, praise and even gifts in order to get their partner to be interested in them. They’ll say things like “we’re meant to be” and “no one else could be my partner other than you.”

However, instead of actually being in love with someone, narcissistic people love the idea of having control over someone. They try to make their partner dependent on them so that they are less likely to leave. Love bombing is done as a method of manipulation, not an act of love. 

Lack of communication — One of the most important parts of maintaining a healthy relationship with someone is to speak up whenever something is wrong. As the honeymoon phase ends and disagreements happen, in order to move forward with the relationship, there has to be clear communication between the two. This involves being honest and open with each other, which may not come easily for people depending on their backgrounds. What’s worse is when someone is finally able to tell their partner what the problem is and they react poorly or brush it off. 

It’s one thing if putting off an issue happens a few times, but if a significant other is unwilling to change and learn how to communicate with their partner better, that’s a major red flag. Not only is it showing poor emotional intelligence to not be able to recognize that a person’s feelings are hurt, but it’s a lack of respect for the person to not want to be better for them. 

My biggest advice for anyone who is in a relationship and is not sure if they’re happy is this: don’t tolerate mistreatment. Don’t make excuses for people who continue to hurt the person that they are supposed to spend the rest of their life with. As American poet Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

Cat in a box

April 15, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

As a proud mother of two cats, Freddy and Khalessi, I’ve noticed that my babies have enjoyed boxes more than the very expensive toys that my husband and I have bought. In particular, since we’re moving, they have loved throwing themselves into giant cardboard boxes. The bigger it is, the better and harder it is to get them out of it. 

As someone who has had cats throughout her life, I know that my babies aren’t unique. All of the cats that I’ve had in my life have enjoyed being in a box, whether it be to hide from us or take a very long nap inside of it. Recently, though, I’ve found myself wondering what it is exactly that makes the perfect killing machine so weak to enclosed cardboard pieces.

One of the reasons that cats enjoy being inside boxes is the safety that it provides them. Alison Gerken, a veterinary behaviorist at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, explains that in the wild, with predators lurking around, cats naturally have an instinct to find a “safe den.” They often choose an enclosed environment that doesn’t allow anything to sneak up on them from behind. It gives the cats a sense of safety and stress relief to let them be in a place where they can be hidden. Cats sadly don’t have a conflict resolution ability as we humans do, so when they’re upset, they like to hide from their problems — very relatable, honestly. 

Cats love to be in warmer environments. According to a study conducted by the National Research Council, cats prefer to be in temperatures of 86-97 degrees Fahrenheit. Most homes aren’t kept that warm, so our feline friends find small, enclosed spaces that will trap their body heat. Cardboard, in particular, is great at trapping heat, like a little mini insulator. The small space can force a cat to curl up into a ball, which in turn also helps preserve heat for them. I have noticed that cats love to huddle underneath the blankets on my bed or curl up next to the heater, especially during the colder months. 

As most know, cats are incredibly curious creatures. So, whenever something new appears in front of them, their instinct is to scope it out. They want to investigate what it is that has been brought, as well as the purpose of the new item in question. I remember the day I bought my cat one of those big cat trees that have scratchers and little cubbies they can hide in. He was more excited about the box than the darn cat tree, though he does use it a lot more than he used to. 

The texture of cardboard boxes is also perfect for cats to scratch and bite, which makes them great toys. Fun fact: cats love to scent-mark boxes by chewing on the sides or flaps of it. When marking it, cats use pheromones to mark it as their own little palace. 

Overall, my babies have every right to find their way into the many boxes that I currently have overloaded within my apartment. If they are able to find joy, warmth and safety in something so simple, I can only view cats as an admirable companion that doesn’t need much to be satisfied. I suppose it saves me money on having to buy them toys and pet beds. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Red Bull drink review

A photo showing a stack of redbull cans of various flavors | Photo from @jcsswansea on
Instagram

April 15, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Despite the article I’ve written in the past talking about the dangers of caffeine, I have enjoyed various forms of caffeinated drinks throughout my life. Particularly in the last few months, I have tried a good amount of the various flavored Red Bulls. I have since formed an opinion, or more accurately, an obsession with the flavor that these canned drinks contain. So, here is a ranked list of my favorite Red Bull flavors. 

Fifth place — Up first is the orange can with the flavor of strawberry apricot. It’s the first of the flavored Red Bulls that I tried back when I was a teenager, so there’s a bit of a nostalgic flair that I get when I drink it. The flavor itself starts out as a sweet strawberry with the hint of apricot being mostly an aftertaste. It’s not a bad combination at all, but out of the six flavors, it’s at the bottom. 

Fourth place — I had no idea what to expect for the spring edition flavor Red Bull was coming out with. The name on it is cherry sakura and as a lover of that specific tree type, yetI had no idea what it was going to taste like. As someone who loves cherries, I don’t think that this drink necessarily tastes like the fruit it’s based on. However, I do enjoy the drink. It kind of reminds me of what tea tastes like, except it’s carbonated. It’s a fruit-flavored drink with hints of strong tea-like accents. 

Third place — The Winter Edition Red Bull that came out roughly in late October last year was one that had me in a chokehold for the entire season. The flavoring is fuji apple with ginger. To me, the ginger wasn’t really that strong, but even so, it was a good combination in my opinion. I thought the drink mostly tasted like apples, so I would call it “apple juice” to my coworkers. However, my lovely husband thought that the ginger was way stronger than I thought it was and scoffed at me when drinking it in his presence. Everyone’s taste buds are different, so drink whatever tastes good.  

Second place — I love the color pink, and I love it even more when drinks associated with it taste good. The white peach-flavored Red Bull tastes so good, it single-handedly caused me to drink multiple times a day — which I’ve stopped doing because it’s super bad for a person’s health. Similar to the fuji apple one, it’s an energy drink that reminds me of juice. I think that if someone wants a sweet drink with caffeine, this is an amazing choice. 

First place — My top Red Bull flavor that I’ve been obsessed with since even before I moved to Monmouth for school is the juneberry flavor. This mystical drink in blue is the perfect combination of sweet and sour flavor in a drink that I’ve ever tasted. No juice or soda has come close to the harmony of this amazing drink. Full disclosure, I have never had juneberries before. Even without the prerequisite of trying the fruit that this flavor is based on, this Red Bull is my favorite by a landslide. 

While developing an obsession for energy drinks isn’t good for a person, if anyone ever wants to try one of the flavored Red Bulls seen in a gas station case, I recommend any of the ones on this list. In particular, I recommend the juneberry one. It is the best. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Miyamoto’s illumination

A phot of “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” poster | Photo from @supermariomovie

pril 15, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

 

Content warning: this article contains minor spoilers for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” 

 

On April 1, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” was released in theaters, and I was lucky enough to be able to see it on its debut. The movie by Nintendo is based on the game of a similar title, Super Mario Galaxy, and is a sequel to the first movie, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” The film was highly anticipated by fans as Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are extremely beloved in the fanbase and are often viewed as some of the top ten Mario games ever produced by Nintendo. 

After the movie’s release, many have expressed their opinion of it, ranging from it being good, bad, peak, terrible and even claiming it’s political. I wanted to give my own take on the movie as both a Mario fan and someone who played the Galaxy games. 

I am in no way a movie critic or high-brow Mario superfan. I’m just a girl who wanted to see a movie based on one of the games I played the most growing up. That being said, though, my rating is definitely not a 10/10. 

The game, Super Mario Galaxy, was praised for its ability to provide stunning visuals of outer space, and I’m happy to report that the movie was very similar to the game in that sense. The stars and galaxies were absolutely stunning to view on the big screen. The biggest strength the movie had was its animation. It’s incredibly smooth and well done, the fight scenes in the movie being particularly impressive. The movie’s main villain, Bowser Jr., has an incredibly powerful paintbrush that can create living drawings out of thin air as well as engulf him in the paint to give him a crazy amount of strength. 

The strongest parts of the movie for me were any scenes that had Yoshi in them, as well as the relationship between Bowser and his son. Yoshi, as a character, was an incredibly entertaining character to watch on screen. He is not only a very resourceful creature, but he’s funny and really stands out on the character roster as a loyal companion who also likes to mess around with his buddies. 

Bowser Jr.’s motivation throughout the entire movie revolves around getting his imprisoned father out of the clutches of the Mario brothers, as well as creating a planet for both of them, something that Bowser promised his son when he was growing up. Their bond is incredibly heartwarming to watch. Even if Bowser is a bad guy, there is no doubt that he is a great father. 

The biggest change of the movie from the game is that some of the character backgrounds have changed drastically, specifically Rosalina’s and Peach’s. While I won’t dig into these changes to avoid major spoilers, my main complaint is that I feel like they really rushed the character development of most of the characters, but in particular, Princess Peach. 

In this movie, she finally discovers where she comes from and who her family is. However, the journey of her getting there doesn’t feel particularly satisfying. There isn’t a lot of meaningful, emotional turmoil, and what little there is feels extremely rushed. I thought the way that they revealed Peach’s past was a clever way to do it, but it just didn’t feel like it was something she fought for. Her backstory just seemed to be handed to her  — quite literally — without any sort of depth given to her character. 

Overall, I feel like the movie wasn’t as terrible as some have been saying online. I personally enjoyed it a lot and had fun watching it. I would rate it a 7/10. I would watch it again, it was really funny. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Boxes of Hope: foster kids charity event

Wolfie holding a Boxes of Hope care package. | Photo by Hannah Field

Dec. 3 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief 

Volunteer students, student employees, staff and faculty showed up for local foster kids Nov. 19 and 20 to create care packages that provide support during the holiday season in an event titled Boxes of Hope. Boxes of Hope was built by Student Engagement and Student Media volunteers with support from Every Child Polk-Yamhill and Reach Northwest, but partnered with many departments across campus: Abby’s House, Division of Student Affairs, Disability Access Services, Resident Hall Association, ASWOU, Veteran’s Resource Center, University Housing, Financial Aid, Center for Professional Pathways, Student Conduct, National Residence Hall Honorary, WOU Fostering Success and the Child Development Center.

The event began in Sequoia Commons for the first day, Nov. 19, and ended in Ackerman 141 Nov. 20. Two randomly selected students — Logan Fay and Yulissa Chavez Cortez — received $250 tuition-based scholarships for participating. 

Macy Clemens, program assistant for Student Engagement, built the plans for Boxes of Hope in late summer 2025, which transpired into 178 care boxes from student volunteer sign-ups,  including a first-year seminar class discussing habits of happiness.

Scholarship winner Logan Fay is an avid volunteer, working with Western’s Stitch Closet and participating in other charities. “It’s something I really, really enjoy, more than anything. I always sign up for an opportunity to give back when I can,” said Fay.

The care boxes were sectioned into age ranges and gender. Applicants got to pick their age range, then were offered to pick from boxes of items to pack their care packages with. The foster kids will receive a variety of toys, tools and items, including playing cards, stickers, empty journals, colored pencils, fidget toys, combs, toothpaste, wolf plushies, flashlights and water bottles, funded by Student Media, which includes The Northwest Passage, KWOU and the Western Howl. Western’s Child Development Center provided artwork from the children to package alongside a personal letter from each student volunteer.

One letter to a 10-12 year old girl stated: “Hi, I just wanted to let you know that you are amazing, beautiful, and kind! … I know girls at your age can be very unkind and I want you to know that you are amazing and don’t listen to the negative comments, just the positive ones! You got this girl and you are so strong and powerful!”

Another letter, written for a 5-9 year old girl, said: “Always remember, you are special and you are always loved. You are never alone. You have a bright and successful future ahead of you. You are smart and beautiful and you have a very kind heart. You can do anything that you put your mind to.”

The boxes are expected to be delivered over the next couple of weeks as requested in coordination with Every Child Polk-Yamhill.

Wolfie attended the first day of the event, personally handing lots of wolf plushies to student volunteers to pack into their boxes and leaving a very large, wolf-shaped paw print on a personal letter.

“One of the most effective ways to become empowered and to establish purpose in your life is to ask yourself, ‘Who can I help?’ This project and event will set the stage for that question by providing students a chance to help children who are going through one of the most challenging times of their lives,” said the Boxes of Hope informational page on the Western Student Engagement website. “Alongside serving others, students who signed up to participate will gain volunteer experience for their resume, cover letter, and future professional endeavors, and are entered to win a $250 tuition-based scholarship.”

A Boxes of Hope documentary is currently in the works from Student Engagement. The date of release has yet to be announced, but the film involves interviews from Western faculty and volunteers and various shots of the event, as well as the CDC artwork being created by the children.

“We wanted to come out with video footage to showcase the impact that this had on students and the lives they were affecting,” said Clemens.

Following the success of the event, it’s likely that an event such as Boxes of Hope will occur again in the future. Clemens has graduated, but the torch may be passed to inspire a future spark that lights up other opportunities for giving back.



Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

Caught between awake and a soft place

April 8, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Going to sleep sounds both like a blessing and a curse when the clock is roughly pointing past 1 a.m. On one hand, lying down in bed with a soft, cozy blanket and a pillow with the cold side sounds so enticing. Deep down, though, it’s known that the amount of sleep about to be had is going to be insufficient, getting out of bed is going to be harder and caffeinated drinks will be bought in the morning. 

According to the Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, only 11% of college students in America report sleeping sufficiently, while 40% of students only feel well rested two days of the week. As a student at Western since 2025, I have noticed a lot of students saying how tired they are regularly, a significant amount more than when I was in high school. I have experienced being sleep deprived for an extended period of time when first balancing two jobs and being a full-time student. I have recovered from that time, but I wanted to explore the effects sleep deprivation has on a university student in particular. 

The relationship between sleep and health has always been well-known, but I don’t think it’s been properly explained. According to Mark Wu, a neurologist and sleep expert, “Sleep is a period during which the brain is engaged in a number of activities necessary to life, which are closely linked to quality of life.” 

A healthy amount of sleep is needed for a lot of different body functions. One of them is brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt to any stimuli. The more tired a person is, the harder it is for them to process what they have learned during the day, as well as their ability to concentrate on what it is they are studying. 

According to UChicago Medicine, sleep is believed to be the time during which the body recovers from the fatigue and strains it takes throughout the day. It allows the body to grow and rejuvenate. Rest also allows the body to heal itself when dealing with a sickness or an injury. There is evidence that sleep allows the brain to clear up cellular and protein debris that can build up over time. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of disease while also lowering the immune system’s ability to fight back against it. 

Yet, something that is more concerning is how lack of sleep affects a person’s memory. While it’s still unclear as to how exactly sleep contributes to memory consolidation, there have been a lot of studies that show that when a person doesn’t have a sufficient amount of sleep, the brain has trouble recalling information that a person may have encountered recently, both factual and procedural. Factual memories are facts, like what a person had for dinner last night or what the capital of Nebraska is. Procedural memories are the mind’s ability to remind the body how to do physical activities. Think of typing on a laptop or playing an instrument. 

Sources like Harvard Medical School have reported that the most crucial period of sleep for memory retention is the night following a new lesson. If this isn’t done, like if a person were to pull an all-nighter, it is almost certain that they will not be able to recall what they learned that day, even if the student sleeps more in the following days. 

There are two main processes that regulate our sleep patterns: circadian rhythms and sleep drives. Circadian rhythms are the brain’s biological clock. There is a reason we sleep at night, and it’s because our rhythms respond to a lack of light. It ramps up production of the hormone melatonin, which makes us sleepy, in order to help us fall asleep. Meanwhile, sleep drive is the brain’s sleep stomach. We as humans also crave sleep in a similar sense as we crave food. However, sleepiness is quite different from hunger. The body can’t force someone to eat when their stomach’s growling. When exhausted, though, the body can shut down no matter where anyone is. This is particularly dangerous if someone is doing physical tasks such as driving, cooking or anything that involves heavy machinery. If someone is particularly tired, the body can microsleep for one or two seconds while the eyes are open. 

Our lack of sleep may not be entirely our fault, though. According to the American Brain Foundation, it’s estimated that roughly 50 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder of some kind. Examples of disorders could be insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy or a type of parasomnia like sleepwalking or night terrors. Treatment of these disorders often involves changes to lifestyle, and various therapies are often recommended depending on which disorder a person has. 

While some medications could help induce sleep, many people have reported feeling almost “hungover” when waking up, despite the amount of sleep they got. I personally used to take melatonin gummies to help me go to sleep and while I was able to fall asleep, there were times I wouldn’t stay asleep. When I did, I woke up usually not feeling rested or “charged.” So, unless prescribed by a doctor, avoid taking high doses of melatonin gummies. 

Here are some lifestyle tips that could help anyone get better, more consistent and restful sleep. 

Sleep schedule — The top recommendation I found from Mayo Clinic and the Center for Disease Control is to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Having a consistent sleep schedule reinforces the circadian rhythm, which will naturally make someone tired roughly around the same time. A healthy adult should get roughly 7 to 8 hours of sleep in order to be fully rested. 

No electronics — It is recommended to turn off any electronic devices roughly 30 minutes before actually going to bed. Electronics like phones, laptops and tablets emit a short-wavelength light known commonly as blue light. Blue light has been found to disrupt the production of melatonin, which then causes a person to not feel tired. I recommend getting off the game at least two hours before bed. 

Peaceful environment — Keep the room quiet. Try to avoid looking at any bright lights in the evening, as it might trick the brain into thinking it’s daytime, and try to turn off melatonin production. Instead of using a phone for noise, consider turning on a fan in the background. 

A quarter or even a third of our lives is dedicated to sleep. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that we give ourselves the best sleep possible to do all the things we want to do while we’re awake. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Hints for a first date

A photo of a couple walking together. | Photo from @gingersolephotography on Instagram

Disclaimer: all articles featured in this issue are fake in celebration of April Fool’s Day

April 1, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Spring term has finally arrived and brought with it a fresh air of love. While February can be seen as the month of love, love can come for a person at any time of the year. Romance may be the last thing on the mind while starting to go to university again, but it’s important to have fun and spend some time with someone special this term. So I thought it best to offer the most legit and truly knowledgeable advice for anyone going on a first date with someone during the term. 

Be impulsive — Planning is quite overrated, according to romance experts. After all, instincts are an amazing form of showing a potential partner what they will rely on in an emergency situation.  Don’t bother putting too much thought into planning a day with someone who could potentially be a future spouse. Planning things is extra and will even drive the date to go south much quicker. Be spontaneous and impulsive. This means maxing out a credit card on something expensive, perhaps skydiving or seeing a concert. However, don’t pay for the date for both people, even though it was your idea to do this thing — that can be seen as possessive. Make sure that the person doesn’t even know that they will have to pay for the event until they get there. Nothing is more romantic than a surprise. 

Look presentable — Obviously, attire is an important part of a date. However, recent research from the Dates “R” US research institute concludes that psychologically, humans are attracted to clown shoes, clown makeup, overdramatic wigs and a giant horn. Despite clowns being one of the greatest fears people have, there is some sort of attraction to the fear, which will make the date much more exciting. Bright colored wigs are also considered enticing enough to keep the date going past dinner. What is even better is if a person were to turn off all the lights in the room and run up on the partner they are going out with. If they don’t scream or throw a punch, the attire isn’t nearly as appropriate for the date. Also, an ankle monitor is a huge bonus and will definitely be a conversation starter. 

Bring up your ex the entire time — It’s important to be obvious about past partners in the beginning of the interaction. After all, it’s not wise to have any skeletons in the closet. Tell them everything about the previous relationship, especially on that very first date. Some romance podcasters have recommended creating packets with detailed summaries as well as a clear timeline of everything that went wrong in the last relationship. Now, some may say that mentioning an ex frequently on the first date may make the person look “desperate” or “not over the relationship,” yet all this is doing is being honest about the past. No one wants to hold secrets from their potential new partner. 

In conclusion, any advice offered here should be taken with the utmost seriousness. Happy dating. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Totally legit study tips

A photo of a girl in a library in several different poses with books nearby. | Photo from @zupkophotog on Instagram

Disclaimer: all articles featured in this issue are fake in celebration of April Fool’s Day

April 1, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

All university students will have to study at some point in their college career, unless they are a wizard or have photographic memory. However, it can be pretty difficult to find ways to focus on their work. Whether it be life, sports, events or jobs, a student’s life can get busy in a short amount of time, especially if they are taking multiple classes. So, with my vast experience in having to study for exams as well as incredibly credible sources to back me up, here are some totally legit study tips. 

Procrastination — Studying regularly is quite simply a rookie mistake. Waiting till the last possible minute before the exam will not only make the information much fresher in the mind, but also keep the topics discussed throughout the term more manageable. Stay up late to study, reading and rereading the notes that were written down weeks ago and never looked at. Some may say that it’s important to get sleep the night before an exam, as being awake all night will decrease the likelihood of any memory retention. However, according to the Institute of Pro-Procrastination, cramming everything at the same time last minute has been tied to a slight increase in good grades on exams. There is also an unrelated correlation between good grades and heavy caffeine intake, but that isn’t relevant to this. The point is that saving everything till the last minute is a wise decision for the sake of a student’s grade. 

Multitasking — As a college student, we have to multitask on the regular to an extent. However, doing it while studying is a genius idea. Splitting someone’s attention to multiple things will not only speed up the process of getting more things done, but it will also make the mind more versatile. Any professors who discourage doing assignments from different classes at the same time only want their students to focus on their class alone. Insecurities are nothing to be ashamed of, however it’s important to do what is needed for the success of a good grade. Some may say that multitasking while studying for different classes only “decreases the quality of the work being done.” Yet, the grade I managed to achieve in my British literature class is proof that this is simply an opinion. 

Keep any and all devices around — Many advice sites recommend keeping any technology away while studying to increase focus. However, many claim that scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels was a good break from studying and allowed them to regain their focus. It’s important not to get stressed out while studying. Otherwise, nothing will be learned if someone isn’t having a good time while focusing. Similarly, many say that listening to music while studying is a bad idea, as focusing on the words being sung can be distracting from whatever it is that is being read, whether it be notes or a slideshow presentation. It is important to note that good music brings good vibes, so it provides more of a benefit and makes it more likely that information will be absorbed as the song plays in the background. 

Overall, following these suggestions for studying at any point of the term will certainly have an effect on an exam grade. At the end of the day, it’s important to ignore any study guides, as the genius of my husband said, “You know what’s best for yourself.” 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Wolf statue

A photo of the new wolf statue on campus. | Photo taken by Moth Martinez-Faccio

April 8, 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Over spring break, a new statue of two wolves standing on a plank over two boulders appeared near the Student Success Center, leaving many students confused as to where it came from or why Western bought it in the midst of a budget crisis.

The only notice students received of the new statues was an Instagram post from Western President Jesse Peters. The picture showed Peters posing with the two wolves with the caption reading “What a beautiful day on the most beautiful campus in Oregon!! And I found two new wolf friends too!!”

The statue weighs around 1,100 pounds and was installed with a forklift. Students were left unaware of who created this piece of art, with the only clue being a small signature at the bottom left of the statue reading “Rude 2026.”

After this, students were left wondering what the reasoning was behind getting this new statue, especially with the news coming out around the same time that Destination Western would be cut. Addressing this, Gabriela Eyster, the project manager at Facilities Services, clarified that construction projects funded by the state set aside 1% of their budget for art installations such as the new statue. Through Oregon’s Art Acquisition legislation, pieces of art are selected in a facilitated process for qualifying Oregon state buildings, encouraging creativity, dialogue and value in the community. Western used a portion of this money to fund the statue because they wanted art representation on campus that was “truly iconic to the university,” and pointed out that Western doesn’t currently possess something akin to the wolves statue. Additionally, the statue was placed by the Student Success Center because it is a central location on campus as a new building and would be the most ideal spot to showcase art that represented the university. 

The next step in this process was picking an artist; Eyster explained that the main criteria for this piece included art that would work well with the site location, evoke campus community, reflect the concepts of the building such as intentionality and resiliency and focus on accessibility and inclusivity.

The committee in charge of the new statue received detailed proposals from four different artists, and ultimately decided to go with Brad Rude because they “felt that his work matched what our mission was.” Once selected, Rude proposed not only the statue currently on campus, but an additional indoor piece of art that will be installed in May.

In terms of the indoor piece, Rude explained that he plans to create a long storyboard that portrays one continuous storyline showing “the adventures of the wolves.” There will be nature scenes as well as depictions of Wolfie. Additionally, students can come up with a piece of paper, place it against one of the frames and do a rubbing with their hand or a little bit of graphite to get an impression. “It’s kind of like collecting cards, you know, baseball cards or something. Collect all 20 scenes, put them together, mix them.”

The budget for both the current statue and the future indoor piece altogether was $135,000.

Eyster explained that Western has been working with Karl Burkheimer, the Oregon Arts Commission project coordinator, in regards to the statue since 2023, and Rude confirmed that the project has been in the works since October 2024. Burkheimer led this process, including gathering information from the art selection committee, assigning budget planning, writing the statue proposal and searching for artists, ultimately leading to Rude. The art selection committee consists of members who represent the commission agency, community members, art professionals and a project architect. These members are then involved in every step of the process such as choosing the type of art, the location, values and themes for the art, selecting artists and providing feedback.

Rude additionally provided an artist’s statement for his piece currently on campus entitled Arch of Inquiry. He explained that the statue is about individuals approaching each other to meet new people and make new friends, essentially saying “hello.” Each individual is calm and curious, and each comes from a unique place encompassing different backgrounds and cultures, represented by the two large boulders that the wolves are standing on. The plank in the middle connects the two boulders and represents the connection between different individuals despite their different foundations. This plank allows the individuals to come to each other and connect rather than being isolated on their own boulder; the smaller stones on top of the wolves represent their individual hopes and dreams. Each brings different perspectives to the other and allows the other to learn something new.

Rude also explained that he wanted a piece of artwork that the community could interact with, such as being able to sit on the plank. Referencing the two wolves, he said, “Yes, it’s about these two individuals that have somehow come together in kind of an interesting way, but they each have their own direction. It sets up the idea that the human viewer is part of this group as well.”

While this change appeared to students quickly, there are many other art pieces around campus from various artists that seek to do the same thing: convey the community, culture and brightness of Western. Other pieces include works from Hector Hernandez entitled “Dreams Come True,” “Sources of Knowledge” and “Dreams of Education” — all outside the Welcome Center. 3D artwork is also featured in the ITC from Louis Chinn and Huameng Yu. 

Encompassing the same idea that many of the art pieces around campus seek to, Rude added, “I wanted these to be iconic and a mascot for the entire student body. The entire community as well.”

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Sun’s out, let’s tidy up

A photo of someone cleaning their kitchen. | Photo from @chazfremont on Instagram

March 11, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

With the temperature outside slowly getting warmer and the need to go outside wearing layers of clothing dwindling, it’s that time of the year when we shake off the cobwebs of our dorm rooms to begin spring cleaning. As someone with a tight schedule, it has been a bit exhausting to think about how much of a mess my living space is. I still have a Christmas tree up. Still, the warmth of the weather and the sunlight poking through the clouds are good motivators to help at least think about spring cleaning. 

One of the earliest references to cleaning during springtime is the Jewish tradition of Passover, which is still observed every year in March or April. During this event, all pieces of chametz (leavened bread) would be disposed of in the time leading up to the holiday. This is symbolic of an event known as the Exodus, which was when Moses helped the Israelites escape Egyptian slavery with God’s help. The removal of the bread symbolizes them being in such a haste that they weren’t able to wait for their bread to come before they had to make their journey. 

In the Catholic faith, there is a similar tradition where, on Maundy Thursday, people will clean up the altars in churches. Maundy Thursday is a day that celebrates the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. Similar to Passover, this day happens in the months of March or April. 

Nowruz, which is the Iranian or Persian New Year’s Day, has a tradition known as khāne-takānī or “shaking down the house.” This involves washing blankets, clothes and textiles in preparation for the new year. 

Similarly, cleaning is very important for the Lunar New Year. In Chinese culture, it is known as “sweeping the dust.” They deep-clean their homes in order to rid them of bad luck and misfortune. Tidying the place up is said to bring good luck for the new year. 

Spring is seen throughout the world as a time of renewal and growth, where life begins anew after the coldness of the winter months. As the leaves begin to form on the trees and flowers start to pop out of the grass, people tend to feel the need to replicate the “shiny” environment within their living space. It’s a common experience to feel somewhat tired during the cold months, as the “dead” appearance of the world makes it hard to get motivated. 

Before modern technology, i.e., heating and insulation, homes that were in colder places were sealed up to prevent cold air from coming inside. This generated dust and soot that would build up. Once it began to get warmer, it was time to air out the home and clean up the mess that people literally could not clean during winter. 

However, even in modern times, it is still wise to spring clean. Despite insulation, dust and allergens can still build up in the home over time, especially when it’s dark. It would be wise to try to clean out those hidden spots behind tables and shelves. Cleaning can also boost mental health. As someone who enjoys collecting things and is also a bit lazy, living in a cluttered area can be stressful. Coming home to a messy room is never enjoyable. Making the environment welcoming, fresh and comfortable will not only be more enjoyable, but also helpful to the mind       at a time when finals are coming up. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

Mmmm … chocolate

A photo of a bowl of gourmet chocolates. | Photo from @chocolatelover_rz on Instagram

March 11, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

I believe there is no sweeter taste than that of chocolate. With a sweet, creamy and enjoyable taste as well as a lovely appearance, it is a candy that is normally a person’s best friend or guilty pleasure. Not only does chocolate have a rich taste, but it also has an even richer history.
Cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America, are the trees that produce the fruit from which chocolate is made. They produce pods with each having around 40 cacao beans that are dried out and roasted to become cocoa beans.
The Olmec people are believed to be the first group to be curious to know what these beans tasted like. According to Hayes Lavis, a cultural arts curator for the National Museum of the American Indian, there are ancient Olmec pots that were found with traces of a stimulant known as theobromine, which is found in chocolate and tea. It is believed that the Olmecs used cacao beans to create a drink, which was likely savory rather than sweet.
The Olmecs then passed their cacao expertise to the Mayans, who mixed the beans with maize and water. It could then be adjusted with allspice, vanilla and ear flower. The latter is described to have a spicy flavor similar to black pepper. This mixture was then poured from a height to create a foaming effect on the drink.
The Aztecs would not only make a similar beverage, but also add chili powder and achiote to make the drink have a reddish hue. They would also boil it occasionally to create a rough draft of hot chocolate. The Aztecs called their chocolate xocolatl (shoh-koh-LA’-tul) and it was typically an upper-class privilege to be able to have it, though those of lower classes would enjoy it on special occasions.
The drink was not only a treat to the Mayans and the Aztecs, but also held a lot of significance to them. They believed the beans to be a gift from the gods and would drink xocolatl often for religious ceremonies.
Although there is a debate about when Europeans got their hands on this delicacy, it is widely believed that it arrived in Spain first, which, when considering how much of the world they colonized, makes sense. By the late 1500s, the Spanish court was completely captivated by chocolate and began importing it to other European countries in the area. With such high demand for these cocoa beans, chocolate plantations were created with slaves made to work on them. Europeans also experimented with the ingredients, using cane sugar and cinnamon to add a more sugary taste instead of the savory ones the Aztecs made.
Chocolate would eventually come to the American colonies, arriving from a Spanish ship in 1641 to Florida, with the first chocolate house opening in Boston. Fun fact: During the Revolutionary War, chocolate was given to soldiers as a form of payment instead of money. Nowadays, chocolate is mass-manufactured and sold around the world. However, there are still some shops that handmake chocolate to ensure their products are much richer than the typical Hershey’s bar bought at the store.
Admittedly, I’ve probably eaten way too much of it throughout my life, but I always thought that the history of this delicacy was fascinating in the way that it really transformed throughout the centuries to become what it is today. As a fun little fact about myself, I actually tried xocolatl in the 7th grade as part of a unit about the history of chocolate. I have to say … I did not enjoy it. However, it’s still a pretty cool fact knowing that I’ve tried ancient chocolate.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Let’s own, not stream

Graphic by Mina Clower

March 4, 2026 |  Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car with my older sister. We had this circular metal thing that, when a CD was placed inside, we could plug in some headphones and listen to the songs that were on that disc. We shared headphones and listened to whatever we had available to us, my favorite being the soundtrack to a telenovela called “Rebelde.” Aside from my musical taste at the time, we also had a lot of DVD movies around the house. Every year, the collection would slowly get bigger. I got cartoons, my mom got comedy movies, my sister got the annual trendy flicks and my dad got those old cowboy films. 

Then, throughout my adolescence, media slowly transitioned from physical discs to streaming services and subscriptions that wanted credit card information. It was kind of nice in the sense that we no longer had to make space for all the movies and music we wanted to collect  and available on our televisions, laptops and phones. However, convenience isn’t always a good thing — especially when things can be taken away from the consumer at any time. 

Generation Z, which I am a part of, has been part of a movement where many of us are gravitating towards physical media instead of digital. According to an article from the Los Angeles Times, physical media sales dropped 9% in 2025, which is much less than the reported over 20% drops that happened in 2023 and 2024. DVDs and Blu-rays have been a big purchasing point with many Gen Z consumers, which drives business for video rental stores. This trend has been a curious rabbit hole to discover and understand the reason for this remembrance of a want for physical media. 

Cognitive Overload — Streaming services can be really nice to have, yet they don’t come without their negatives. Subscription-based platforms can vary in price, with the most expensive having more options. However, the infinite choice of all the available entertainment can be enticing. There are so many options and only a one-time monthly payment that could be the same price as buying one movie. So what could be a possible disadvantage? 

With being able to have access to a large collection of movies and television shows online, it can lead to choice paralysis. Think of it as overloading the brain — there are so many options that it makes it impossible to choose something to watch. The YouTube channel Fuzz Culture said it best: “You open an app for a dopamine hit, and you end up doing mental admin work. You pick up your phone, scroll for 20 minutes, pick nothing and still end up drained.” 

In comparison, when people would go to stores and pick out a movie to buy, it was a much smoother process. Someone looked through the giant shelves of movies, handpicking them and making the process much more personal since it was a physical decision to grab it out of all the others. The choice to watch it came when it was purchased, and it was much more likely to be watched after going home. 

The emotional side — There is a sort of personal attachment one feels when purchasing and owning the physical copy of a form of media, whether it be art, music, books or movies. My mom always used to say that she could learn a lot about a person by their collection of cassette tapes and CDs. 

There is also a nostalgia element in place here. There’s a sort of indie feel to a lot of stores that sell older forms of media such as vinyls, cassette tapes, CDs and DVDs. Many stores have this feeling to them, a cozy environment that brings a casual hangout vibe to the place. These types of places are a sought-after location for many post-pandemic people who need new communities. Bookstores, for example, are a good place to go because they are not only low-cost most of the time, but they also tend to have places to sit and gather. 

However, it is much more than a simple trend Generation Z is following. We as humans bond with what we can touch. It’s intimate and tells a story about the person who owns these forms of media. Personally, there’s no greater smell than that of a freshly bought book or a video game disc. Being able to physically turn the pages of my copy of “Jane Eyre” or insert my copy of “Sour” by Oliva Rodrigo into my car provides me a sense of independence that I don’t have to rely on some subscription based platform to have access. 

Unreliability of digital media — Many users of subscription services know the pain of realizing that the show or movie they enjoyed watching was removed from the platform without anything they can do. The streaming service can, at any time, remove something from the platform for many reasons. Usually, there is a license they have to get from producers or distributors of the movie or show. There’s some sort of money that both parties get from it, and should the content not perform well enough on the service, or even if they just don’t feel like having it there anymore, the movie or show gets removed.

The Los Angeles Times interviewed a woman named Lauren about her decision to buy physical copies of movies. She responded by saying, “If something gets deleted off an online platform, I will still be able to watch it because I have a physical copy. … It feels really precious to be able to own things physically and not be at the mercy of studios’ financial decisions.’”

It isn’t just streaming services that cause issues with digital media, though; the gaming industry has been having a big issue with digital games. In March of 2024, the servers for a popular racing game, “The Crew,” went dark and made all copies of the game, both physical and digital, completely unplayable. Two owners of the game sued Ubisoft, the publisher of that game, because they purchased the product believing that it gave them unlimited access to it. However, Ubisoft has gone on record saying that purchasing a game doesn’t give the buyer ownership rights to it. It is only a “limited licence to access the game.” 

This situation then started a whole movement known as “Stop Killing Games.” This movement, launched by YouTuber Ross Scott, aims to “challenge the legality of publishers destroying video games they have sold to customers.” 

When video games are sold, they aren’t given a clear label or “expiration date.” They are sold the same way that physical game copies have always been sold, without a clear notice about the potential for the game to eventually stop working. This movement was based in Europe and ended up getting over 1.3 million signatures on their petition, which forced the issue to be considered by the European Union. 

The current state of Stop Killing Games is that it is establishing two official non-governmental organizations, with one based in the European Union and another in the United States. While Scott has decided to mostly let Mortiz Katzner, a political strategist, take the lead of the initiative going forward, he will still be involved. Scott also acknowledges that he isn’t sure how much change the groups that are being created will bring, especially in the U.S. market, but he is optimistic about at least raising awareness of this issue. 

Gen Z is a very nostalgia-driven community. All of us enjoy reminiscing about our childhoods and are often very anti-capitalist. Collecting physical media can be seen as much more than us simply following a trend — it is us as a generation reclaiming our individuality. Considering that we are in an area where digital media is not only unstable and inconsistent across platforms, there is also so much generative AI and brain-rot sort of entertainment that can really be mentally exhausting. So, I will be saving up for a DVD player and will be going home to collect all of the old Barbie movies sitting in the garage of my mom’s house. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

Go big or go home alone

Feb. 18, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle EditorThose in relationships are often trying to find ways to make their partners feel appreciated. Ranging from pricey gifts to dates to even traveling together, everyone tries to find a way to make their significant other feel special. However, due to everything constantly changing and getting more expensive, I thought it would be a good idea to list some romantic gestures that any partner would enjoy receiving. 

Cleaning/Organizing — Something I think is highly appreciated in a relationship, especially when the couple lives together, is keeping the home a bit more organized. Tidying up the living space is nice and makes one less thing for a partner to worry about. If wanting to be more specific, try to do something that has been actively avoided for a while. Maybe there’s a junk drawer that needs to be cleaned out. The closet might need to be reorganized, or the car could use some vacuuming. 

Meaningful — If wanting to up the romance and exercise the brain a bit more, writing something meaningful for a partner is always a good idea. Whether it be a poem, a love letter or a small note, something handwritten can mean much more than a cheap card bought at the store. If more of a visual kind of person, creating a painting or a sketch for a partner would be incredibly sweet. A kind gesture to do for someone would be to create a photo album for them. Go down memory lane and fill it with photos, tickets to concerts, movie posters, handwritten notes or anything that has meaning. Similarly, a person can create a memory box and fill it with all the same items. 

Audio-related — If both are music lovers, making a custom playlist for each other would be a thoughtful gift, especially if it’s songs that remind the person of their partner. It can also be a bunch of songs that they would like to play in the car. If wanting to be more playful, recording voice memos for a significant other can be both more meaningful and potentially funny, whether it be telling them how much they mean to the other or saying that they saw a weirdly shaped tree. 

Activities — There are several things couples can do. Cooking dinner together or as a surprise for a partner when they come home from work is always fun and appreciated. Something my husband and I love doing together are couple’s quizzes. They are popular on Instagram and TikTok, but don’t necessarily have to be couple-related. There are some quizzes that can be done on YouTube about various subjects, whether it be Disney movies or who knows the most Bad Bunny songs. There are also many two-player games that couples like to play. Some that come to mind are It Takes Two, Overcooked!, A Way Out and Split Fiction. 

Expensive gifts don’t need to be the only way to show affection. It doesn’t always have to be about the hundred-dollar clothes or the sparkliest jewelry. I would be happy with a swept-up floor or a vacuumed room. So when my husband recently gave me a handwritten note expressing how proud he is of what I have accomplished, it has been all I have been thinking about lately. Not the expensive shoes that he bought me, not the hoodie collection that’s slowly growing in my closet and not even the insane amount of plushies in the apartment. A simple note on my desk made me happy. So — make a significant other happy, too. Or go home. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

Ryan Orton

A photo of the Wolves men’s basketball team huddling up during a game. | Photo by Moth Martinez-Faccio

Feb. 4, 2026 | Isaac Garcia | Sports Editor

In men’s basketball coach Ryan Orton’s first season, the Wolves, like many of Western’s athletics programs, are moving in the right direction. They’ve already surpassed last season’s win total and are fielding an improved defense. Senior forward and guard Jadin Penigar, a transfer from UT Tyler, leads the team in scoring at 20.7 points per game, which is the second highest among all players in the GNAC. Penigar also hit the go-ahead shot with one second left against Seattle Pacific, the school he started his college career with, giving the Wolves a 50-49 win and their eighth win of the season. 

When asked about the addition of Penigar and how he’s come along this season, coach Orton said, “I had coached against Jadin when he was at Seattle Pacific and so knew what he was about, knew his skill set, thought he was a bigger guard that could create his own shot, could create offense and when we were kind of formulating our team this summer that was one of the pieces that we didn’t really think that we had at the time and so just tried to sell him on the vision of being a guy that we could play to and through.”

Coach Orton, who is from Creswell, Oregon, carries an extensive coaching resume with him that’s allowed him to develop as a coach, having worked in an assistant role at Alaska Fairbanks, a head coaching role at Western Wyoming Community College and has spent time at the NCAA Division I level as an assistant with Eastern Washington and Montana State. “I always think about the people that have had a lot of influence on me as a person, but then professionally as a coach,” Orton said. “All the guys that I’ve worked for, all the head coaches I’ve worked for. Coach Osborne at Anchorage. I learned a ton from coach Giacoletti, Eastern Washington. Coach Huse at Montana State. Coach Hills, who was a former coach here, I worked for him at Northwest Nazarene. So I think you kind of take things and then you try to mold it to what you’re about. So I think I’ve learned a lot from guys I’ve worked for and obviously my dad was a coach, I played for him so I learned a lot from him.” 

Something fans might notice at a Wolves men’s basketball game is the intensity at which Orton coaches the team. He’s not afraid to be vocal and hold players accountable, but the team responds to it well, a testament to the positive culture being built. After being asked about his style and willingness to coach the team passionately, he said, “I think what I appreciate about them is they allow me to, but they allow me to because I have a relationship with them.” He continued, saying, “I think our players understand we’re there for them and so a lot of our conversations are just about life, about ‘Hey, who’s your favorite NBA team?’ Just things like that, so that when it’s time to get on them, they understand that you care and there’s a relationship and there’s a foundation that’s been set so that they can quickly have some resilience and just move on and understand the message.” 

Fans can catch the Wolves’ next game in the Wolves Athletic Center, formerly called the New P.E. Building, on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 4:15 p.m. when they take on the Saint Martin’s Saints, who currently sit at first place in the GNAC. The Wolves will be looking to avenge a 74-57 defeat from earlier in the season. 

 

Contact the author at howlsports@mail.wou.edu 

Portland Cascade

Sam Landry and Sis Bates pose in Hillsboro Ballpark, the Portland Cascade’s home stadium. | Photo from @sportoregon on Instagram

Jan. 28 2026 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

On Jan. 13, it was announced that Portland will be home to one of the six teams from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, or AUSL. 

Portland is already a prolific city when it comes to women’s professional sports. The Portland Thorns, which play in the National Women’s Soccer League, have been a big name in the state since 2012, with notable players from Team USA rounding out their roster. In September 2025, Portland Thorns owner RAJ Sports, led by the brother-sister duo of Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage, also bought the rights to a WNBA expansion team, the Portland Fire, which will begin its inaugural season in May this year. Portland even has The Sports Bra, a sports bar dedicated to showcasing women’s collegiate and professional sports. The AUSL Portland Cascade is the newest team to join this lineup.

In 2024, the AUSL began its first season with four teams playing round robin-style games on its touring season. Each team was named for its captain, typically the pitcher or catcher, and was packed with the best names of collegiate softball. During the season, the AUSL picked up traction, and it was soon announced that the league would have its inaugural season in 2025, with the four teams being renamed to the Volts, the Bandits, the Blaze and the Talons. This inaugural season also meant a partnership with the MLB, with the league investing in the AUSL to help establish it as a sustainable organization. 

Late 2025 meant that two expansion teams were announced, along with the league moving to become city-based rather than touring-based. The Oklahoma City Spark was the first team to establish its headquarters in the aforementioned city, known as the home of the College Softball World Series. The other five teams had to wait until 2026 to announce their home cities.

The Portland Cascade will play at Hillsboro Ballpark, which is the home of the Minor League Baseball Hillsboro Hops. Hillsboro Ballpark is currently under construction, which came after the MLB changed ballpark standards for minor league teams in 2021, forcing the team to build a new venue altogether. However, the ballpark will be completed in time for the Hops and the Cascade to begin their 2026 seasons in April and June, respectively. The stadium is 229,000 square feet and can hold up to 6,000 fans for games and 7,000 for concerts, costing Hops ownership, the state of Oregon and the city of Hillsboro a combined $150 million. 

The Cascade boasts a strong lineup, including standouts Sam Landry, fresh from the University of Oklahoma, and Sis Bates, a former University of Washington player. Both received multiple All-American awards during their collegiate careers, while Landry boasts an NCAA National Championship with Oklahoma, and Bates brings multiple defensive player of the year titles, including the AUSL’s defensive MVP award in her rookie season. Both Landry and Bates played for the Volts in the 2025 season.

The storied Tairia Flowers was announced as the Cascade’s head coach. During her time with Team USA softball, Flowers won gold at the Athens Olympics, silver at the Beijing Olympics and gold in the 2002 and 2006 Softball World Championships. In her coaching career for Team USA, Flowers has played multiple roles, including head coach, assistant coach and selection committee member. 

The Cascade will play the season opener in Durham, North Carolina June 9 against the Carolina Blaze, and their home opener June 18 against the Oklahoma City Spark.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Endangered wolves

A photo of a gray wolf. | Photo from @zookeeper.tryg on Instagram

Feb. 4, 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Not only are gray wolves a beloved animal by many, but they are also a keystone species, meaning their survival is crucial for the environments they live in. Gray wolves are a major predator in the habitats they live in, allowing control of prey species, which in turn allows other plants and animals to thrive. The extinction of wolves — along with any keystone species — would cause a domino effect, leaving its prey species to radically populate and, in turn, cause the extinction of their prey animals and plants. 

As of February 2022, gray wolves are listed as endangered and protected under the Endangered Species Act, with the exception of Minnesota. Because wolves are legally protected in most of Oregon, it is against the law to take, move or kill them. 

Since 2024, there are an estimated 204 gray wolves in Oregon, an increase from previous years. Experts warn, though, that the population could start to decrease again due to the limited number of breeding pairs in Oregon regions. Still, gray wolf populations are slowly increasing, with there only being 29 wolves in 2011. 

Many Oregon residents living in rural areas push for the removal of gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act, including U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, who introduced the Pacific Northwest Gray Wolves Relief Act, seeking to delist gray wolves in parts of Oregon and Washington from the Endangered Species Act. They argue that uncontrolled wolves kill their livestock and that gray wolf populations have to be managed. In response, Colin Reynolds, a senior advisor at Defenders of Wildlife, said, “This bill is the latest in a series of attacks on gray wolves that are senselessly attempting to strip protections away while the species continues to recover.” He also explained that both Oregon and Washington annual wolf reports indicate that gray wolves have not yet reached a sustainable population threshold, meaning it is still crucial they remain on the Endangered Species Act. 

Since February 2024, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers have found remains of a female gray wolf, a male gray wolf and a juvenile gray wolf.

On Oct. 7,  2025, a gray wolf that was collared — a common technique used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and keep track of endangered species — was found dead in Lake County, near the Klamath County border in Oregon. This wolf was protected in an area where gray wolves are listed as endangered, making it a criminal offense if someone killed it. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is still investigating the incident, and are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for anyone knowing information regarding the potential illegal killing.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Not a fraud

Graphic by Addison Watts

Feb. 25, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Since attending Western, I have been experiencing a lot of feelings. Stress has admittedly been the primary one. Yet, it isn’t the feeling I want to discuss at this moment. 

A lot of my family members and friends often speak about what I do at university. They talk about how impressive it is that I’ve gotten this far in life. I’m married, independent from my parents and have been managing to live my life without starving. The compliments are always really hard to listen to, though not because they aren’t genuine. It’s because I feel really undeserving of them. 

There are so many things I feel like I’m doing wrong in life, and I feel like they think I’m someone else. Sometimes, it is like I am playing a part instead of being who I am. 

Imposter phenomenon, known more popularly as imposter syndrome, is a condition that can cause the person identifying with it to feel like a fraud. According to Stanford University, it was originally documented by psychologists Pauline Rode Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978. It was described by them as “the internal experience of doubting your abilities.” They credit external reasons for their success in life instead of their own abilities and work. 

There is a cycle of sorts that happens to those who have imposter syndrome. It usually starts when they are given a task or assignment. It could be anything from writing an essay to organizing a messy closet. The thought of the task causes feelings of anxiety, which could then lead to being overly prepared for the task or procrastinating on it. Once it’s been done, there is a brief moment where the person will feel achievement and like they did a good job. However, it then turns into a spiral of all sorts of negative ideas as to why they were successful. They could think it was luck, that the professor felt bad for them, they fooled those around them into believing they were capable of doing this, etc. 

The impact of this condition is great. Individuals, especially students, who struggle with imposter syndrome can have trouble succeeding in life. Burnout is highly likely to happen more often for people who struggle with this. There’s also a fear of bringing attention to oneself, as the thought of being wrong while already believing that someone doesn’t belong is a mortifying experience. Students could be less likely to speak up in class or avoid attending events that could benefit them. 

Those who are most susceptible to imposter syndrome are people who struggle with perfectionism or self-efficacy, particularly if they are in competitive environments. It also makes those who come from stricter backgrounds, where the fear of being judged or failing in life was ingrained in them from a young age, are also quite susceptible to experience it. 

While men experience this condition, it is very likely that women will experience it much more in their lives, especially very accomplished women. Despite the progress being made in many different careers to achieve equality, no matter what gender a person is, we still live in a society that is primarily dominated by men and where women tend to struggle to be taken seriously. 

According to Dr. Suzanne Feigofsky, there are a few different subtypes of imposter syndrome that can be explained depending on the person and their personality. 

The first type is the “perfectionist.” They believe that they have to do everything correctly and anything less than perfect is considered to be a failure in their eyes. They beat themselves up, hyperfocusing on what they could have done better instead of seeing the good things they managed to do. 

The second type is what Feigofsky refers to is the “natural genius.” These individuals measure their worth and performance based on how quickly or easily they can accomplish their goals in an activity. They think that working hard is shameful, that it should be done right the first time and if they fail to understand the subject, they are stupid. 

Then, there are “superhumans.” They see success as being able to juggle many different things at once and being able to thrive in all of them. As someone who has to manage a lot of different things at once, it is a miracle to be successful in all of the things I’m supposed to be doing at once. If they struggle or fall behind in one little thing, they view it as a total failure. 

“Experts” are those who suffer with imposter syndrome that view their competence based on their knowledge or ability in the task. The less they know about something they are supposed to do, the more anxious they get, so they try to overcompensate in the subject by absorbing as much information as possible. 

Lastly, there’s the “soloist.” They view themselves as being the only ones who can do their task. Asking for help and admitting that they don’t understand something is basically their worst nightmare. They want to be able to do it alone, viewing a necessity of help as failure. 

Singer Billie Eilish spoke about her struggles with imposter syndrome when she was in an interview with Vanity Fair. She describes a time when she did a radio show performance: “I felt like I was pretending to be Billie Eilish … I completely wasn’t looking at myself as myself … Happened multiple times at like award shows and whatever. I just felt like a parody of myself.” 

Living with this condition can be really difficult. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that there are ways to manage and make it a bit easier to navigate. The first thing someone suffering from this condition should do is acknowledge their feelings — don’t write them off just because it looks like everyone else is ahead and it’s time to catch up. Then, focus on what has been accomplished instead of comparing what has been done to others. It is also important to recognize physical and emotional fatigue. Realize that all this effort that has been poured into whatever it is being done requires a lot of work. Not luck or pity, it is work. Therefore, if an individual is in the room, it is likely that they deserve to be there of their own accord. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu 

 

Cozy for the winter

A still from Studio Ghibli’s film “My Neighbor Totoro.” | Photo from @ghibliusa on Instagram

Jan. 28, 2026 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

It’s late winter. The excitement for the holidays has come and gone, and there’s limited sunshine to keep the doom and gloom away. My favorite thing to do to shake the frost? Watch some of the coziest movies out there with a blanket and a mug of tea.

 

“Pride and Prejudice” — Based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name, “Pride and Prejudice” follows Lizzie Bennet and her sister Jane in the English countryside during the Regency era. With a piano-led score and warm ambience, “Pride and Prejudice” perfectly encapsulates longing, restraint and a slow-burning romance, while also bringing to mind a warm summer or spring day. “Pride and Prejudice” is streaming on Apple TV and Prime Video for $3.99.

“My Neighbor Totoro” — One of Hayao Miyazaki’s most popular films, “My Neighbor Totoro” follows Satsuki and Mei when they move to the countryside while their mother is in the hospital. As they explore their new home, they discover forest spirits, including the fluffy, cat-like Totoro. This movie is cozy because there’s no big villain; it’s just two sisters exploring their home and enjoying the small moments. The film is slow-paced, and nothing is rushed, with sunlit fields and dust floating in the air. Nature becomes a soft place to rest, and the magical creatures are gentle forest spirits — especially Totoro, who is more like a giant stuffed animal. “My Neighbor Totoro” is streaming on HBO Max, along with other Studio Ghibli movies.

“The Lord of the Rings” — Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings” follows Frodo Baggins as he sets off to destroy the One Ring. The films are drenched in a palette of antique light — soft golds, mossy greens and pale silvery-blues — with a sweeping soundtrack by Howard Shore, filled with string instruments and haunting vocals. The films themselves are about how even the smallest person can change the world and focus on the small in the wake of the huge. After all, Samwise Gamgee says it best in “The Return of the King”: “Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon, and the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields. And they’ll be eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?” All three movies in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy — both theatrical and extended editions — are streaming on HBO Max and Prime Video.

“Hook” — A modern retelling of “Peter Pan,” this film answers the question “What if Peter Pan grew up?” The whole movie feels like a fairytale, wrapped in pure ‘90s and childhood nostalgia. With Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, “Hook” is full of familiar faces. The design is storybook-soft with glowing pixie dust, flying pirate ships and colorful sets, creating the feeling of stepping into a stage play. Besides, at its core, “Hook” isn’t just about fighting pirates and magic. It’s about believing in oneself, rediscovering the sense of childhood wonder and reconnecting with those closest. “Hook” is streaming on Apple TV and Prime Video for $3.99.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The great divide

Jan. 14 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

I am not a very tech-savvy person. Granted, I know my way around most types of phones and computers. Yet that is mostly due to growing up with this kind of technology around. However, as someone who also works for a cell phone service provider, I have had to interact with, set up and attempt to fix a lot of issues with various devices. If there is anything that I have learned during this time, it is that there are stark differences between iPhone and Android phones. 

Growing up, Android phones were what was given to me by my predominantly Apple device-loving family. So here’s what I noticed. 

Strengths — Android phones have a much simpler operating system that is easy to use and convenient. It typically has three buttons on the home screen: one to go to the home screen, another to see all apps that are open and the last to go back to the previous screen. Android smartphones also come in many different versions. Samsung alone has three different series of phones, each very starkly different from each other. One is fast, one is foldable and the last is cost-effective while still being a decent phone. Another popular Android phone is Google Pixel, which is well known for its camera quality and sturdy design. Motorola phones are known for being budget-friendly, but are reliable and simple. 

Weaknesses — A lot of people with Android phones come into the store to tell me that their phone is full of pop-ups. The most common cause of those is “bad apps” being downloaded. Essentially, any kind of “phone cleaner” app is not actually cleaning the phone. Instead, it is slowing down its performance, and some can cause ads to pop up at random times. The battery life is also a major issue I’ve seen, with many getting new phones due to faulty batteries. There are also the constant updates that are done to the system that some may find annoying.

I recently became an iPhone user. After having the phone for a while now, here’s what I’ve observed. 

Strengths — Apple’s phones are incredibly fast, with their chip processors able to have many apps open at once without slowing down the smartphone. For newer models, the iPhone battery life is often incredibly good, being able to last an entire day. They also switched their charger from the Lightning cable to a USB-C to become more compatible for Android users who want to switch to iPhone. Furthermore, iPhone’s have their own Apple ecosystem of apps that allows for a much stronger privacy shield compared to Android. iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Cash, etc., are all iPhone-exclusive applications for these types of phones. The Apple App Store is also much more strict with what apps are allowed to be downloaded from it, making it much less likely for any bad apps to affect iPhone users. 

Weaknesses — I believe that iPhone’s main weakness is the lack of variety in their phones. While over time the screen size has gotten bigger and the camera positioning has changed, there isn’t a difference between the models. Obviously, if someone compares the first iPhone to the newest one, they look very different. However, there isn’t a huge change between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17. Another issue with Apple is that, due to the strictness of the App Store, many apps are not available to download. There isn’t a variety of different types of apps to get, while Android app stores allow for more options. There is also the fact that iPhones are not as customizable as Android phones. While their display options are sleek and clean looking, I’ve seen much more be able to be done with Androids, whether it be their shortcuts or widget flexibility. 

In my opinion, the other differences are minuscule. The keyboards between the two phones look and feel different from each other. Android phones still have “buttons” to control the screen, while iPhone users need to swipe up to navigate the phone. 

However, these smaller things are like comparing different fonts. If one is a person who likes consistency, I recommend an iPhone. If variety is preferred, there is an array of different Android phones from many companies that may be the better choice. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Work for fun

A sketched comic of a woman complimenting a girl’s sweater. | Photo from @juliehang.art on Instagram

Jan. 14 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

According to the Oxford dictionary, a hobby is an activity that is done by a person for the sole purpose of enjoyment or relaxation. Hobbies can range from hiking in the mountains to playing video games at home. I personally don’t have a lot of hobbies. The main hobby I have, writing, has become something I do for school and work. While I still love it with a passion, I have been wanting to take up a new one that doesn’t involve me trying to spell things correctly. 

I haven’t had the opportunity to really explore activities to do in my free time. Yet during 

break, when I had all the time in the world, I came to the realization that I had no idea how to get a new hobby.  I’ve usually just stuck to the ones I had growing up. I can only imagine that a lot of other students feel the same way. Therefore, I have created some tips on how to discover a hobby. 

Something simple that anyone can do is create a list of things they like. The list doesn’t have to be concrete. It could range from things done as a child that were fun, like playing tag or building things with LEGOs. Some things to consider would be topics that are engaging and that aren’t tiresome for oneself. 

There’s also scheduling that should be considered when taking up a new hobby. As someone with a busy schedule, I would want a hobby that is easy to do anywhere and can be done wherever I go. For someone who would prefer to do something with their hands, crafting and sculpting would be good ideas. 

Something that discourages a lot of people from starting new hobbies is the lack of perfection at first. Obviously, no one is going to be good at something from the start, and if they are, they are not human. 

Stuart Brown once said, “Life without play is a grinding, mechanical existence organized around doing the things necessary for survival. Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively.” I’ve thought about trying to start crocheting because the thought of creating my own things sounds awesome. However, I’ve been hesitant to do so because I know for a fact that the first thing I make will look horrifying. Still, that shouldn’t dissuade me or anyone else searching for something new to do in their spare time. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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