Inning
Vol. IV, Issue 24
April 27, 2022
after inning after
Inning after inning after inning after inning after inning
page 6
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The Western Howl
News
345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
Managing Editors
MIKAYLA COLEMAN RYLIE HORRALL
howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu
Copy Editor
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 wou.edu/westernhowl
Squirrely students
Photo by Jude Bokovoy
COLE BOECK
howlcopyeditor@wou.edu
News and Sports Editor MOLLIE HERRON howlnews@wou.edu
Lifestyle Editor
JUDE BOKOVOY
howllifestyle@wou.edu
Entertainment Editor CAMILLE LENNING
howlentertainment@wou.edu
Staff Writer
MIRELLA BARRERA-BETANCOURT howlstaffwriter@wou.edu
Designer
JULIANNA TINKER howldesigner@wou.edu
Designer
Support the campus squirrel community by following @wou_squirrels on instagram.
Squirrels have dominated Western’s campus since 1856. At one point there was a petition to change the mascot from a wolf to a squirrel. To capture the liveliness of our squirrel community, there is a public Instagram account
called @wou_squirrels that exists purely to share campus squirrel content. Founded in 2014, @wou_squirrels has obtained a strong following of over 500 followers. The current mediator stated, “@wou_squirrels
Student ran campus squirrel account takes the internet by storm Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu was created by another student in 2014 because his friend was going through a rough patch. He says he took and posted the pictures so his friend — who really liked squirrels could see them — and then it took off from there.” The account was posting frequently in 2014 and then fell silent, outside of a few posts in 2015. This is when the new mediator, a Western junior transfer, saved the day. “On (Oct.) 20, 2021, I messaged him about taking over the account. It was my first term (on) campus. I was online last year and I found the page and wondered why it wasn’t active anymore. I live on campus and walk across it several
Continued on back
ADDIE FLOYD
howldesigner@wou.edu
Digital Media Manager SEAN SULLIVAN
howldigitalmediamanager@wou.edu
Photo Editor
CAITLIN QUIRK
howlphoto@wou.edu
Student Media Adviser WILLIAM MCDONALD-NEWMAN
times a day, and I truly love the squirrels. I saw the potential in the account and wanted to share the squirrels with other people and give people a platform to share their own pictures. I know a lot of other people love the squirrels too. At this point they’re a big source of pride for me at WOU,” they said. Once the new moderator took over, the account flourished from its initial 90 followers. Now, only seven months later, the account has over 500 followers. To get more engagement, the moderator said, “I got other students involved by asking for submissions in my captions, my page bio, and through word of mouth.” To give the squirrels more
Prep yourselves
Richard Woodcock Education Center welcomes TPSSS into their space
Mirella Barrera-Betancourt Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu
mcdonaldnewmanw@wou.edu
SUBMISSIONS
THE WESTERN HOWL encourages readers to share their opinion through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name. Contact information will not be published unless requested. Unsigned submissions will not be printed and original copies will not be returned. Letters to the editor may be up to 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 500 words. THE WESTERN HOWL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE WESTERN HOWL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE WESTERN HOWL at Terry House or email to howleditor@ wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Monday at 5 p.m. to be considered for print. All opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of THE WESTERN HOWL or Western Oregon University.
The Richard Woodcock Education Center recently welcomed Teacher Preparation Student Support Services into their halls. For those unfamiliar with the title, TPSSS is a federally funded TRIO grant program funded annually at Western that supports future teachers and educators, alongside the Student Enrichment Program. On April 18, TPSSS hosted a welcome reception, which provided students an opportunity to learn about TPSSS and what it has to offer. Up until a few months ago, TPSSS was located in the Academic Programs and Support Center. By making the office closer to the heart of campus, TPSSS hopes to provide better and richer opportunities for future educators and participants of the program. From now on, the TPSSS resource center will
Photo by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt
The TPSSS resource center can now be found at the Richard Woodcock Education Center.
serve as a space for students seeking math tutoring sessions, as well as a place where educators could connect with fellow students through similar aspirations. Beginning this term, students can watch out for an array of events hosted by TPSSS. Teacher Tuesdays are now underway, with the most recent event @thewesternhowl
having taken place on April 26, the “Investment Workshop for Millionaires.” While this event will not have an in-person option, all other events will have the option to attend over Zoom or in-person in RWEC 204. Check out the other events TPSSS is hosting for Teacher Tuesdays, all events running from 4 – 5 p.m.
May 3. 4 – 5 p.m. Diversi-TEA May 10. 4 – 5 p.m. Don’t Wait to Teach! May 17. 4 – 5 p.m. Prep for The Real World & Your First Real Job Take note that “Prep for the Real World & Your First Real Job” is only open to TPSSS participants. Luckily, students can become involved in the program by submitting an application. Applicants must be working towards a degree in teaching and meet further eligibility requirements in order to apply. For more information on the qualifications for the program, visit https://wou.edu/ tpsss/. The TPSSS Resource Center is located in room 213 in the RWEC and is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
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News
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Yay for GSA
Photo by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt
SafeZone hold their annual GSA Day with an alumni panel and Q&A Mirella Barrera-Betancourt Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu
GSA has been a fairly recent happening at Western, honoring LGBTQ+ high school students ready to make the next move.
Western’s SafeZone program aims to build a space that provides continual learning for and about LGBTQ+ communities. In the last few years, SafeZone has contributed to the improvement of campus culture surrounding LGBTQ+ communities and facilitated training and educational opportunities. SafeZone continues to provide an inclusive space for students, staff and faculty that identify as LGBTQ+. One thing many may not know about is Western’s involvement in National Gay-Straight Alliance Day. GSA Day at Western functions similarly to a preview day or conference hall, where high school students are able to connect with Western alumni and students. While
visiting, they have the opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ life and gain the necessary information they need in order to succeed after high school. GSA Day brings forth the message that all students, regardless of sexual orientation, are welcome at Western. It also provides a safe space for those who are not ready to come out, or are questioning their identities, to learn more and make connections. The first hour of GSA Day began with a student panel with current Western students who discussed their experiences as LGBTQ+ members of the Western community. The second hour consisted of the keynote speaker panel, which consisted of two Western alumni: Sam Fennell and Kiniya Davis.
Davis graduated from Western back in 2015, where she majored in sociology. During the panel, Davis detailed her experience as a member of the foster youth, a constant teenage runaway who never felt at home anywhere she went — until Western. After a few years of being at Western and seeing what it had to offer, Davis moved to Washington D.C., where she applied and was accepted into Howard University, one of the top Historically Black colleges in the United States. Even when surrounded with people who could identify with her background, Davis felt a lack of community warmth. “Coming in (to Western) in 2011, I still kind of stayed in my own crowd. But when I did venture out, it was to
Triangle Alliance (and) SafeZone. … I didn’t have that (community) at Howard. I did, however, have people that looked like me, but I didn’t have the support that Western provided,” said Davis. Fennell was a business major at Western who graduated in 2018. Although he was confident in who he was, a butch lesbian, Fennell claimed he wasn’t so confident in his ability to get involved with the things he stood for. Eventually, volunteering for the Stonewall Center led to him running the club during his senior year, where he became heavily involved with campus culture and events. During the panel, Fennell made the audience laugh after describing his “out of body Continued on back
Preserving Western’s BIPOC voices
Western stresses the importance of not losing any student to history On Jan. 24, 2022 Hamersly Librarians were notified that they had received the American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grant for Libraries from the American Library Association. After brainstorming with the Freedom Center, Chelle Batchelor — Dean of Library and Academic Innovation and coordinator of the event series — landed on the BIPOC Voices project. This event, titled “Centering BIPOC Voices at WOU: A Moment In History,” is part of the “Centering BIPOC Voices and Histories” series at Western that will kick off May 12
and end in June. The grant-funded project is designed to give students on campus who identify as Black, Indigenous and People Of Color the opportunity to have their stories documented in the library archives. Presenters are encouraged to speak in their native or natural language or communication style and are not limited to any particular topic. This will allow room for authenticity and will help build an accurate representation of these speakers. Batchelor noted the importance of recording underrepresented student’s stories.
Gretchen Sims Freelancer | gsims20@mail.wou.edu
“I just keep hearing students say that they want to be heard, they want to be valued, they want to be seen, and I think it is important for the library to be part of that. The library archives are the place where WOU’s history is kept. If we aren’t actively listening to our students and getting their stories, those stories can become invisible — there’s no record,” Batchelor said. They believe these stories must be recorded in order to better enhance Western’s history. This event series will kick off on May 12 with speaker Walidah Imarisha — a transformative speaker
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and author of the nonfiction book “Angels with Dirty Faces: Three Stories of Crime, Prison, and Redemption.” Tune in via Zoom between 3 – 4:30 p.m. Contact Chelle Batchelor, batchelorc@wou.edu, if interested in participating in this project. Storytellers will receive a $50 gift card and, in alignment with the “Creativity and Resilience” theme of the Academic Excellence Showcase on May 26, student storytellers will also receive a Certificate of Excellence from AES.
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The Western Howl
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Lifestyle
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Help the planet, help cows
Find the alternative milk that suits one’s fancy Use of alternative milks has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many companies are expanding into the world of alternative products and trying to create the next new non-dairy milk that will gain copious amounts of popularity. As a former barista at a trendy cafe in Hood River, I was always caught off guard by the few people who still ordered their drinks with traditional dairy milk since alternatives have become the new normal. Although use of alternative milk can hurt one’s wallet, it helps the planet immensely. Plant-based milks are often produced using much less water and land, and emit less greenhouse gasses than cow’s milk. And it goes without saying, the production of plant-based milk
doesn’t harm any dairy cows. Whether one decides to forgo traditional dairy milk for environmental reasons, lactose intolerance or for flavor, here are a few milk alternatives to try out. Oat milk — Known for its creamy texture, oat milk has a close resemblance to whole cow’s milk. Because of this, oat milk is useful to use in place of cow’s milk when baking. When ordering a cappuccino with alternative milk, pay the baristas a favor by ordering oat milk. It foams up very well unlike most alternatives. Almond milk — Ol’ faithful. Almond milk can be counted on to be at any coffee stand. Almond milk has a sweet flavor and a thin consistency. It is a very popular alternative option for iced lattes.
Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu
Macadamia milk — A diamond in the ruff, macadamia milk is a rare find around Oregon, but is offered at many coffee shops in the state of Hawaii. When presented with the option, take it. Macadamia milk is almost as creamy as oat milk and doesn’t have a strong flavor. Soy milk — This has a similar consistency to almond milk, with the addition of protein. Soy milk is the perfect choice for an iced matcha latte. Mixed milk — There are a lot of alternative milk combinations to choose from. By combining different kinds of alternative milks one can get the best of both worlds as each option adds to the mix. Common mixes include cashew, macadamia, almond and oat milk.
Roomie season
Photo by Jude Bokovoy
Alternative milk can enhance a cup of joe.
Photo by Rylie Horrall
How to make sure you build lasting relationships with your college roommate Mirella Barrera-Betancourt Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu
The 2021–22 academic year is nearing its end and for many students that means it’s the season for new roommates. While some may move through this season with a breeze, there are many that struggle with the act of socializing and building friendships. Remember that unless there’s a way to terminate a roommate contract, a person is essentially stuck with that roommate for an entire academic year. With that in mind, here are some tips for finding the perfect college roommate. Find a person one is already
familiar with, such as friends of friends or acquaintances. The best way to find a roommate and ensure a budding relationship is by reaching out to people one already knows or are acquainted with. This can be friends of friends, people one has met briefly before or someone whom one has had a class with before. Often, people find that close friends of friends have similar interests or radiate the same energy as themselves. Take advantage of “My College Roomie.” For those who
Co-existing with a roommate can make or break a student’s year, so choose wisely.
already live on campus at Western, University Housing automatically sends residents an invite and login information to their matching roommate program, “My College Roomie.” In order to live with a person as a roommate on campus, residents must first match up through the program consensually. “My College Roomie” allows residents to see potential roommates’ likes and dislikes, academic years, majors and more. To achieve the best results, make sure to set up an authentic profile. Don’t lie or pretend to be
someone else — that will only backfire in the long run — and most importantly, be friendly. Look into clubs, organizations or themed dormitories. All universities have spaces designated for specific audiences and interests. If ASL is a topic or area of interest, then consider meeting people in the ASL club or look into the ASL community in Ackerman Hall. Chances are people in those community spaces are also looking for roommates. Additionally, finding a group of people one already has Continued on back
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Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Western Howl
Lifestyle
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Linking up with LinkedIn
Things to know for building a LinkedIn profile Job hunting is a staple of the adult experience and almost everyone ends up going through the process more than once. A website and application that can make this process easier is LinkedIn — an online service that helps people network and job search. It has multiple sections for users to fill out their work experience, projects they’re proud of and skills that they have. Here are some tips for building a strong LinkedIn profile. Make multiple connections. One feature LinkedIn has is the ability to “connect” with people — this can be with familiar faces in one’s life or with others who are in the same field of interest. By creating connections, it helps to boost one’s network and could lead to new job prospects and life opportunities. Follow businesses and join groups. Many businesses and companies have individual pages on LinkedIn for users to follow. By doing
Rylie Horrall Managing Editor | howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu Photo by Rylie Horrall
The LinkedIn app and website both provide recommendations for making a profile stronger.
so, job alerts and company news can reach prospective employees to see what a business is up to, what they’re looking for in potential candidates and even give insight as to how the working environment functions. Groups are a way for individuals to interact with others that have related interests or wish to work in the same
Mason jar magic
How to get the most uses out of a mason jar Rylie Horrall Managing Editor | howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu Photo by Rylie Horrall
Try using mason jars of different sizes and colors for various uses.
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field; users can showcase their work, values and experiences with other people of similar disciplines. Add a featured section. The featured section is a component that allows a person to showcase anything they’re proud of and want potential employers to notice. For example, I use this as a way to display my digital art
Mason jars are commonly used for canning, preserving and storing different types of food. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them the perfect storage containers. However, there are many other ways they can be used. • Travel mugs: I would recommend only doing this for cold beverages, since glass is fairly vulnerable to thermal shock. Nevertheless, mason jars can easily be used as water bottles or travel type glasses if they have a lid. • Art supplies: Whether it’s paintbrushes, pens, spools of thread or other creative materials, mason jars work wonders for storing supplies in convenient spaces. • Pots for plants and herbs: Some use mason jars for suspending plants near the top of the glass and allowing the ends to sit in water to revive the roots and others may use them for growing their own herbs or terrariums — making them pretty plant friendly. • Single serve smoothies: The
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along with newspapers and magazines I’ve worked on since I want to go into graphic or layout design once I graduate. However, it doesn’t have to be used solely for creative projects — users can add articles they’ve written, novels they’ve published, links to websites of significance — anything they want shown to people viewing their profile. Fill out the skills section. If a business of interest is looking for a specific skill set, adding this section can help one stand out among other applicants. It supports any work experience displayed on a profile, as it potentially shows what skills were gained from previous affiliations. In addition, LinkedIn has a “skill quiz” available for most skills, which allows a user to gain a knowledge badge. This can be helpful in broadcasting how well one knows how to use a program such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Excel.
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tops of mason jars are the perfect size for attaching to small blenders, making it easy to blend a smoothie for one. If one wants to attempt this, exercise caution with high powered blenders. Aesthetic mood lighting: One can use wax candles, batterypowered candles or twinkle lights as a creative way to light up a room. Alternatively, they can also be used for making homemade candles. Picture frames: This method adds depth and dimension to photographs, giving it a 360 degree or fish-eye effect without actually distorting the photo itself. Birdfeeder: Rather than spending money on buying a birdfeeder, one can make their own by using an upended mason jar, birdseed, a perforated lid and a plate. Cocktail shaker: Provided the person is age 21 or older, mason jars can work as an easy way to mix cocktails at home without having to spend money on a shaker.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Sports
Photos by Mollie Herron and Caitlin Quirk
CELEBR Softball played their final home game of the season
ATING S E
Mollie Herron Sports Editor howlsports@wou.edu Western’s softball season is coming to an end and last weekend was their final home game of the year. The team played the Western Washington University Vikings on Saturday and Sunday. The first game started with a celebration for coach Lonny Sargent, as this is his final season coaching the Wolves. Coach Sargent threw the first pitch with his current and past players supporting from the infield before the game kicked off to one of the most intensely anxiety-inducing games of the season. Saturday started with a long game that had four extra innings with the Wolves pulling out the win with the lead of 5-4 in the 11th inning. Senior pitcher Maddie Mayer stayed in the pitching circle for the whole game helping lead the Wolves to victory. Western scored once in the second and fifth inning to tie up the teams after WWU scored twice in the fifth. The game lacked runs until the tenth when both teams scored. The crowd was going wild with anticipation as they headed into the final inning of the game. The team has proven their capability in winning in 11 innings, but the crowd could not help but get riled up as Zoie Recolan was standing on second with catcher Natalie Willoughbyup to bat. WWU had scored 1 run in the 11th inning and the Wolves
NIORS Pictured left to right: Kate Ronning, Bella Valdes, Coach Lonny Sargent, Logan Carlos and Reilly Tidwell
needed 2 runs to take the lead and win. Willoughby approached the plate and hit a home run over right center bringing the Wolves home to victory. WWU got an early lead in the second game on Saturday scoring 1 run in the first inning and waiting for Western to catch up and eventually take the lead in the bottom of the third. Bella Valdes and Logan Carlos each scored in the third bringing the score up to 2-1. The Vikings immediately took the lead back at the top of the fourth scoring 3 more runs. They kept the lead and stacked 3 runs in the seventh ending the game with a score of 7-2. Sunday’s game, like Saturday’s, was also met with sunshine and warm weather, making it the perfect setting for the teams final home game of the season. Balloons and decorations were tied to the bleachers to celebrate the five seniors: Maddie Brandner, Logan Carlos, Maddie Mayer, Zoie Recolan and Reilly Tidwell. The game started with Mayer in the pitching circle once again for all innings. The Vikings scored zero runs against the Wolves thanks to Mayer’s aggressive pitching and players like Willoughby and Valdes for striking out the competition. Mayer
retired 14 batters after the second leaving the WWU with a total of 0 runs for the whole game. Western players Sophie Franklin and Valdes scored the only runs of the game in the third inning after which the Wolves had only one hit and no runs for the remainder of the game. The final score of the first game was 2-0. The second game stayed low scoring for the majority of innings. Both teams scored 1 run in the fourth and kept that score until the ninth. Tidwell pitched all seven innings and continued into the two extra innings. Unfortunately, the Vikings had a strong comeback and scored 3 runs in the final inning of the day. When it was time for the Wolves to bat, they team got zero hits in three batters ending the day with a losing score of 4-1. While all of the pitchers played great, Mayer’s performance in the first games each day helped earn her the title of Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday April 25.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Western Howl
PASSION ON THE PITCH
Sports
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Rugby takes second in final home tournament of the season Mollie Herron Sports Editor | howlsports@wou.edu Western’s men’s rugby 7s team hosted a tournament this past weekend where they competed for a bid to the national tournament in New Orleans. The team placed second in the tournament, just barely missing the mark against O r e g o n Institute of
Pictured: Jacob Smith, G’ovanni Quezada and Braedon Eltegonde
Technology in their final game for the Champions Cup. The team started off strong in their first matchup of the day against Gonzaga University when they won 15-12. They continued their win streak when they played Pacific University and took the W with a score of 17-7. Their first two wins in pool play set them in a good head space for their next game against Central Oregon Community College. The Wolves stepped up their offense and beat COCC 27-0 making it one of the higher scoring games of the tournament. The game to watch was the final matchup between Western and OIT where both teams laid it all out on the line for a chance to win the national bid. Unfortunately, the Wolves fell short and lost 33-10, but they fought until the very end. Even in the final seconds of the game players could be heard yelling “you have to want it” while they all charged the opposing player with the ball. “We put in a lot of work off the ball, and really showed a lot of heart,” player and coach Ben Barlow said. “But at times, we struggled with working as a unit and staying connected on defense.” While second place may not have been what the team was hoping for, they clearly have the drive to go a long way in the future. The communication skills and the drive of the players is what has made them so successful this season. Captain Aidan Kuhn has led the team all season and is described by Barlow as a “commanding and physical presence on the field.” Braedon Eltegonde can be picked out of the group as the one who plays as if his life depends on it, constantly yelling and sprinting at all moments on the pitch. Players like G’ovanni Quezada and Drew Reyes have been strong members of @thewesternhowl
the team helping them earn two second place rankings at tournaments they hosted. The Western Wolves are a difficult team to beat having destroyed other Oregon teams with scores of 43-0, 38-0 and more recently 27-0. When the team is connected they become a nearly undefeatable force with each player being a crucial mechanism in the welloiled machine that is Western’s men’s rugby team. “Rugby culture is unlike any other sport I’ve ever played. All sports teams are a family, but few can boast the level of mutual respect and camaraderie between teams that I’ve witnessed while playing rugby, Barlow said. “It truly is a sport for everyone who is willing to come out and put some trust in your teammates. I encourage anyone who’s reading this to consider coming out, meeting the team, and possibly helping us go back to Nationals next year!” Photos by Mollie Herron and Caitlin Quirk
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The Western Howl
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Entertainment
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Subconscious surprise Check out the HYPROV comedy show in Salem’s Elsinore Theatre Midterms have arrived, and those looking for a unique experience to take their minds off exams will delight in the touring comedy show, “HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis,” with comedian Colin Mochrie and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci. Located in the Elsinore Theatre in Salem, the April 28 performance will blend hypnosis and improv comedy in a never-before-seen way. To start the show, 20 randomly selected volunteers will be brought onstage and put under hypnosis by Mecci, who will then direct them in a face off to find the funniest of the bunch. The final five volunteers — still under hypnosis — will be joined onstage by Mochrie to produce the improvised finale. The tour’s website assures audiences that the performance will be unique to the night, “In the hands of two masters, and solely crafted from the audience’s uninhibited subconscious, this will be an entirely original and completely unforgettable theatrical experience, for who knows where the unconscious mind
Camille Lenning Entertainment Editor howlentertainment@wou.edu Photo courtesy of Instagram, @colinmochrie7591
HYPROV promises to be a unique, unforgettable experience.
will go….” The internationally acclaimed comedy tour first began in 2016, and has made stops throughout the U.K. and the U.S. Mochrie and Mecci both have years of experience behind their names. Mochrie’s most famous project “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” has been entertaining audiences for years with improvised comedy. His talents were formally recognized in 2014 with the Canadian “Comedy Person of the Year” award. Mecci’s line of work, though sometimes met with skepticism, has brought him international acclaim. He has made appearances on networks such as Entertainment Tonight and MTV and he often uses his mind-bending skills in his work as a motivational coach. “HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis” will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Pre-ordered tickets for the show range from $29 to $49. Those interested can purchase their tickets at elsinoretheatre.com/events/hyprov/.
I advise we decorate Advising Center is looking to add art to walls
James Fowlkes | Freelancer | jfowlkes18@mail.wou.edu The Advising Center at Western, located by McArthur field, is the base for Student Success and Advising and the Student Enrichment Program. It also serves as a welcoming space available for students to come in, study and relax. The lobby area of the building has a couch, chairs and tables, along with a kitchen area in the back and a small lab area with computers for students to access. While those who occupy the Advising Center are very welcoming, the space itself is in need of a little more visual warmth. The walls are blank
canvases and it is time to add an artistic, decorative touch to them. Any artwork created by students is welcome for wall decor or to be set up on tables. Art pieces such as 3D photography, poetry, pottery and collages are more than welcome for showcase. Art brings attention. The addition of artwork in the building will help attract the right energy that will make the Advising Center a much more welcoming place for students to visit and hang out. Artwork that reflects African, Native or Asian American culture is preferable, but any subject matter is welcome as long as it is
appropriate. Artwork brings a sense of meaning, beauty, perception and can generate various emotions. Visual art plays a role in supporting communication through increasing audience interest. Creating visual representations can aid in all of the above. Incoming and current students want to feel welcomed when entering a new building or environment, and the addition of artwork can help achieve that goal. If interested in submitting work to be considered for this space, reach out to the coordinator at whitinga@wou.edu.
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Photo by James Fowlkes
The Advising Center is located behind Todd Hall on Main Street.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
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Entertainment
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FAN-TASTIC BEASTS A new and old Harry Potter fan review the newest installment to the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise Gretchen Sims Freelancer | gsims20@mail.wou.edu This review contains spoilers. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” raised an entire generation and continues to draw in new fans. The most recent addition to the Potterverse, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” released in theaters April 15, 2022. To see if it lived up to the hype, one new and one old Harry Potter fan watched and reviewed the film. Gretchen Sims: Even though I was dragged to the theater by a bunch of nerdy friends, I was not disappointed by the two hours and 22 minutes that I lost. This absolutely stunning visual masterpiece should not be seen any other way than on the big screen in front of a screaming audience. The movie was beautifully written with some of the most impressive fight scenes I have ever seen. The CGI for some of the beasts had me convinced they were real. Another aspect of the movie that I was particularly pleased with was the representation of a homosexual couple that was realistic and human. Oftentimes in the media, LGBTQ+ representation is done in a stereotypical way, which can make other writers who wish to include LGBTQ+ relationships overcompensate and express them as a perfect couple — as if they are afraid of showing the way that some relationships can go awry. However, this movie portrayed Dumbledore and Grindelwald as a couple who, once in love, fell out of love when their interests no longer aligned. I thought this was very mature and a good depiction of a relationship that breaks from typical LGBTQ+ boundaries in media. Unfortunately, there were a few things that I feel would have helped propel this movie into the classic it should be. First of all, the ratio of content to time was a bit off. I would
Camille Lenning Entertainment Editor | howlentertainment@wou.edu
Photo courtesy of Instagram, @fantasticbeastsmovie
The Independence Theatre is currently showing “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” between 2-4 times per day.
have liked this movie to have fallen closer to the two hour mark — this would have made it seem a little less slow. Secondly, as someone who is not as knowledgeable with the characters, it was strange to see no character development. It is not that the characters were not interesting, it was that they started out interesting and went nowhere — I believe that this is likely because it is a series, but it would have resonated better with critics if a little more of a deep dive was performed on characters. Overall, it was a very beautifully
made movie. 6/10. Camille Lenning: I went into “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” with very few expectations. After the disaster that was “Crimes of Grindelwald,” I could only tentatively hope this new film turned out okay. The very beginning of the movie started out strong by finally confirming that Albus Dumbledore is gay, after the controversial author, J. K. Rowling, posted it offhandedly years ago. It was refreshing to see the film slip the revelation into the story so naturally.
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The rest of the plot, though, was weak at best. It almost felt like this recent installation skipped a movie. We are introduced to an entirely new political plotline — now Grindelwald wants to run the Wizarding World’s government? — and suddenly, there’s an ethics-sensing mythical deer creature that wizards have let choose their grand leader, but the audience is just now hearing about it. Adding another movie in between “Fantastic Beasts: Crimes Of Grindelwald” and this one would have allowed for some build up and foreshadowing towards this very politics-heavy plot. I understand COVID-19 may have put a damper on their plans for a fourth film, but that doesn’t fix the problem. It wasn’t a bad story, it just didn’t fit with the two movies that came before. As it is now, the entire film felt like exposition and the cookie-cutter climax didn’t help. I never want my favorite characters to die. But when a villain seems to actively avoid doing the one evil thing they’re known to do — in this case, kill Muggles — it just doesn’t make sense for everyone to make it out alive. It wasn’t all bad, though. The visuals were definitely a high point of the movie, as were the characters. I love the Scamander brothers and Jacob Kowalski, and the newer character Eulalie Hicks was fantastic. I also have to say, as someone who grew up loving the “Harry Potter” movies, hearing the classic “Hedwig’s Theme” as Hogwarts appeared onscreen healed my weary soul. They brought back music, items and characters from the original film series a couple times throughout the movie and I loved every second of it. I only wish the rest of it was as good. It felt great having that happy nostalgia again, but overall this movie fell short of what I hoped it’d be. 4/10.
10 Humor
The Western Howl
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 wou.edu/westernhowl
THIS WEEK
IN COMPLETELY MADE UP
HOROSCOPES Compiled by The Western Howl staff
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
My highlight this week is getting to pet two fluffy doggos
Idk remind me to put smth here later
Over accessorizing can distract from the fact that you’ve been wearing the same outfit all week.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
We’re like half way through the term already but I’m gonna need summer to get here faster
I have stared at sheep for at least two hours this week
Eat a plum this week!
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
My toxic trait is that I want to break someone’s heart
be nice to your baristas, a------s
3/21–4/19
6/21–7/22
9/23–10/22
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4/20–5/20
7/23–8/22
10/23–11/21
5/21–6/20
8/23–9/22
11/22–12/21
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Anyone who looks like they will break my heart… *chefs kiss* @ scorpio
I love cows.
I’m the coffee boy, I’m the one who caffeinates
12/22–1/19
1/20–2/18
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2/19–3/20
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Western Howl
Opinion
wou.edu/westernhowl
PODCAST PRAISE
11
Discussion of the popular podcast “Anything Goes” by Emma Chamberlain Jude Bokovoy | Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu Emma Chamberlain is a veteran influencer, having participated in many different platforms of the internet. First getting her start on Youtube, Chamberlain now owns her own coffee company — called Chamberlain Coffee — and hosts a podcast called “Anything Goes.” In more recent times, Chamberlain has modeled for magazines, attended the Met Gala and became a Louis Vuitton ambassador all while putting her heart and soul into her podcast. “Anything Goes” is an ideal podcast for any feminine young adult. Chamberlain discusses everything from integrity, friendships, life updates, burnout and much more. Chamberlain gives off a wise energy that makes me feel like I’m getting advice from a much older friend. It blows my mind that we are the same age. Despite all she has achieved at such a young age, she is extremely relatable, can make you laugh and most importantly, think. When I listen to any episode of “Anything Goes,” I feel heard. Some of the things that have
Photo courtesy of Spotify
topics as sensitive as these, Chamberlain stays away from sugar coating things. Her goal is to come off as if she’s giving advice to a friend over the phone. Chamberlain’s vulnerability allows me to ponder and really take note of what she’s elaborating on. Every episode comes with a different wave of emotions. I am always clapping in agreement, laughing and thinking about how I can apply her advice to my life. One of the best aspects of “Anything Goes” is the wide range of episode topics. I enjoy listening to the podcast while I’m driving, on long walks, washing dishes or while I warm up on the treadmill at the gym. “Anything Goes” has given me the confidence to take on leadership roles, work on making my relationships healthier and work on my mental health. Not only that, Chamberlain’s podcast has encouraged me to host my own podcast about my passions as well.
Anything Goes is available on all music and podcast platforms.
really hit home that Chamberlain has discussed include: body image issues as a cheerleader, learning to stand up for yourself, the feminine mold and personal identity. When talking about
Everything, everywhere, all at once
How movies makes us think about the universe Mikayla Coleman | Managing Editor | howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu This article contains spoilers. Released in April, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” has taken audiences by storm. The film follows its main character — Evelyn Wang, an aging Chinese immigrant — as she is exposed to other universes and realities, and consequently, all of the lives she could have led based upon infinite decisions she has made. Her small family consists of her husband Waymond and her daughter Joy. She is recruited by Alpha Waymond, her husband from a different universe, to single-handedly save all universes from destruction at the hands of the Alphaverse version of her daughter,
instead named Jobu Tupaki, who fractured her being to a point of no return — gaining access to all universes, in all places, at any and all times. The burden of knowledge is heavily discussed within this film. It is precisely what Jobu is struggling with in a consistent loop. Evelyn, however, is stuck on the idea of her Joy instead of the entire, powerful infinite existence that makes up Jobu. Evelyn refuses to kill her universe’s version of her daughter at the beginning of the film and clings to that specific version of her throughout duration of it, despite Jobu’s attempts to show her that Jobu is
every single version of her daughter, all at once, and that having to be that is so entirely exhausting and heavy. About midway through the movie, Jobu introduces Evelyn to her creation, “the everything bagel.” This bagel is a floating representation of the black hole of nihilism, and through succumbing to it — or simply entering it, dependending on how one looks at it — Jobu would finally be free of the burden of existing in a world in which one knows every single outcome to every single decision in every single universe. The everything bagel is Jobu’s means of escape. She is constantly Continued on back
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Photo by Rylie Horrall
Everything Everywhere All at Once was filmed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
12 Tail-End
The Western Howl
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 wou.edu/westernhowl
Squirrels
Continued from page 4
Roomies
Continued from page 2
personality and to enhance the posts, the mediator makes sure to give each individual squirrel picture a personalized caption. “My favorite part about owning the page is hearing people talk about and knowing that I’m making people’s days a little better, even if it’s just because of a dumb little squirrel post. College can be really draining and sometimes even isolating, so I think the squirrels are important because they add some fun and brightness to college life,” they said.
For a chance to get posted, direct message @wou_squirrels with a picture of a squirrel around campus. If appealing, the moderator will post it and tag the photographer in the caption. On a final note, the current moderator had this to say for anyone interested in taking over the account once they graduate: “I’m hoping I can find another incoming student that appreciates the squirrels just as much as the previous admin and I do. I’m planning on having a mini-election if people are interested in a year or two.”
similar interests with can help narrow down choices if one has multiple. Make the first move. This might be the biggest factor in the search for roommates. Similar to dating, finding roommates can require quite a bit of confidence, especially if one is more shy and
introverted. One wrong move and the person one wished to roommate with is uninterested. Take too long and the potential roommate has already found someone else. This is why it’s important to be quick and it often requires one to be the first to reach out.
Continued from page 3
Photo by Camille Lenning
Safezone experience” after watching a particular drag show performance. “It was so life changing for me. This person who only knew what gay and lesbian was went and saw (a) drag show and I saw so much gender diversity. I loved it. And I just thought: ‘Okay, there’s something more to my identity,’” said Fennell. Today, Fennell works for Evergreen State College as an
LGBTQ+ coordinator, where he continues to instill pride in his university’s LGBTQ+ culture. Thanks to programs such as SafeZone, stories such as those of Davis and Fennell are allowed to take place. If students are interested in joining SafeZone or learning more, email them at safezone@wou.edu or visit their website at https://wou.edu/wp/ safezone/.
Students can have their photos featured by messaging the account.
Everything Everywhere A ll Continued from page 11
yearning for it. But in the end, Evelyn does not allow Jobu to enter it, leaving her in her constant state of consciousness for all of time. It seems like a happy ending. The original version of Joy gets to live a life in which she is accepted by her mother and is able to openly love her partner. But to me, this is not the ideal ending that it seems like. To me, this seems like an utterly selfish action.
Evelyn gets to return to this one happy reality and live within it forever, at the dismay of every other version of her daughter. Leaving her hanging in space, suffering, only to appease this one version of Evelyn. I think it is similar to the extremely difficult experience that one could have when having to put a pet down, or having to make the decision whether or not to continue to keep someone
on life support or not. There truly is no right or wrong answer. But I believe that the selfless thing to do is put the loved one above your own needs, to not let them suffer only to have some superficial semblance of comfort, even if it is one of the hardest decisions that a person might have to make during their lifetime. The best thing about this film
at
O nce
is that every conclusion that viewers come to after watching it is a reflection of their personal experiences and how it has shaped them. I understand that people might not agree with my idea that Evelyn did not make the right decision in “saving” Joy and that is okay. Perhaps you will agree with me in another reality. Cover photo by Mollie Herron
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