THE WESTERN
OURNAL
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 3
bodyvox puts the “boogie” back in boogeyman Page 6
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NEWS
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
THE WESTERN JOURNAL 345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
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LIFESTYLE EDITOR CAITY HEALY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR ALEXANDRA MARTIN journalentertainment@wou.edu
SPORTS EDITOR TBD
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PHOTO EDITOR TBD
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DESIGNERS DARIEN CAMPO ELISSA SORENSON
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COPY EDITOR JADE RAYNER
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ADVERTISING MANAGER ZOË STRICKLAND (INTERIM)
Updated cell phone regulations are more restrictive with serious consequences By Sam Dunaway | News Editor Oct. 1 marked the beginning of the updated 2017 distracted driving laws in Oregon. Distracted driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as, “anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” This includes talking or texting on a cell phone, eating, adjusting the stereo — anything that distracts from driving in a safe and responsible manner. According to oregon.gov, there were 917 crashes from 2011 to 2015 in Oregon caused by a driver using a cell phone. The previous 2015 cell phone law prohibited texting and talking while driving without
using a hands-free device, but drivers could use cell phones for other purposes. The 2017 House Bill 2597 prohibits any sort of cell phone use while driving. It is even illegal to drive while holding a mobile electronic device, including cell phones, tablets and GPS trackers. This law is in effect whenever the vehicle is being operated. For example, drivers may not use electronic devices while stopped at a stop light. However, if drivers are pulled off on the side of the road or parked in a designated parking space, cell phone use is permitted. Talking on a cell phone is only allowed when a hands-free device is being used and the
Photo by CAITY HEALY
NEWS EDITOR SAMANTHA DUNAWAY
New Oregon distracted driving laws now in effect
driver is over the age of 18. The law does not apply when a driver activates or deactivates a function of the cell phone. This may include pressing the “end” button on a call, or swiping the lock screen to unlock the phone. Violations for cell phone use have also been updated from 2015; a driver’s first offense that doesn’t contribute to an accident is a Class B violation with a $1,000 maximum fine, a second offense is a Class A violation
with a maximum fine of $2,500 and a driver with three offenses within a 10-year period could face a maximum fine of $2,500 and six months in jail. Driving distracted is a serious offense. Put down the cell phone and, as oregon.gov’s Drive Healthy Campaign states, “Hands on the wheel. Mind on the road.” Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu
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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER TBD STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER RHYS FINCH finchr@wou.edu 503-838-9697
Date: Oct. 2, 2017 Time: 4:57 p.m. Incident: Public Safety was contacted for a possible marijuana violation in Landers Hall.
Date: Oct. 6, 2017 Time: 1:07 a.m. Incident: Public Safety approached two individuals in Lot J involving marijuana/alcohol violations.
Date: Oct. 5, 2017 Time: 12:02 p.m. Incident: Public Safety was notified in reference to a bike theft outside of Landers Hall.
Date: Oct. 6, 2017 Time: 8:45 p.m. Incident: Public Safety responded to a marijuana violation in Heritage Hall.
Date: Oct. 5, 2017 Time: 1:14 p.m. Incident: Public Safety was contacted for medical assistance at Valsetz Dining Hall. Medics were called but not transported.
Date: Oct. 7, 2017 Time: 1:02 a.m. Incident: Public Safety responded to a medical emergency at Stadium and Jackson Street.
SUBMISSIONS THE WESTERN JOURNAL 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 JOURNAL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE WESTERN JOURNAL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE WESTERN JOURNAL at Terry House or email to journaleditor@ wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Wednesday 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 necessarily reflect those of THE WESTERN JOURNAL or Western Oregon University.
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NEWS Love shouldn’t hurt Alpha Chi Omega educates about domestic violence By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
abuse, sexual assault, verbal abuse, emotional abuse and stalking. Intimate partner violence is when the act is committed by a spouse or significant other. Domestic violence includes abuse from a family member, household member or intimate partner. “This issue is so widespread and socially present, that it is almost impossible to ignore in present American society,” explained Bridget Reaume, Vice President of Philanthropy. “It is our mission as sisters to educate the public and inspire others to take a step back and identify signs of domestic violence in different areas of their lives.” Alpha Chi Omega members will be tabling in the Werner University Center every Wednesday in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They also serve at the Center for Hope and Safety, an agency located in Salem that offers support and refuge for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Reaume wants students and community members to know that they
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Photo by HANNA KRISTENSEN
Purple ribbons and smiling faces grace the Werner University Center in October as Alpha Chi Omega, the newest sorority on Western’s campus, educates others about Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Alpha Chi Omega’s website explains that the sorority has held domestic violence awareness as their philanthropy for 25 years. The goal of the organization is to fight against domestic violence by informing the community and providing support for survivors. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, domestic violence can include acts of physical injury/
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Left to right: Daisy Berg, Amber Haslinger and Helen Goodyear educate about domestic violence
are supported. “If you have experienced domestic violence in any manner, Alpha Chi wants you to know that you are not alone,” said Reaume. “We are standing up in support for the women and men who have been victimized and offering
incredible resources in support of those who may need them.” Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu
Campus Dining debuts reusable containers New eco-friendly containers give students an alternative to single-use dishes By Sam Dunaway | News Editor
Photos by AMBER GLNKSI
The Office of University Housing and Campus Dining is eager to unveil their latest approach toward campus sustainability: ReWOUsable food containers. The cleverly named dishes will take the place of expensive single-use paper plates and bowls in Valsetz Dining Hall and the Summit. The food containers are available in both large and small sizes, and a double insulated reusable cup can transport hot or cold drinks. The three containers were given to students living on campus for free. Students will get a discount in all Campus Dining areas if they use these containers. Single-use paper containers will still be an option around campus, but Campus Dining’s director, Albert Worotikan, encourages students to choose the “ReWOUsable” option. Worotikan commented, “if I could encourage students to use reusable containers, we could stop purchasing this (single-use containers). All of this is going to go to the landfill and cost us money.” Paper cups lined with resin, a
ReWOUsable containers are made of durable plastic and can hold both hot and cold items
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plant-based chemical, are expensive. According to Worotikan, Campus Dining spends about 30 cents on each paper coffee cup and about the same for a large paper clamshell container. The hard plastic reusable containers cost about $2.75. “I prefer to spend $2.75 and give that free to the students,” Worotikan remarked. “Save the planet and also save the budget.” Western has spent close to $30,000 on this project. Worotikan commented, “We spend close to 60 grand a year on to-go containers. After a year, it’ll pay off. So, it’s a no brainer to me.” “I’m excited about them, I always try to be conscious about how much paper and plastic I use, and this will make getting to-go food from Valsetz way more environmentally friendly,” said sophomore Ellen Moore. “And the saving money incentive is really awesome too. The money you save from using them will really add up the more you use them.” Staff members and off campus students can purchase a ReWOUsable container at any campus dining location. Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu
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LIFESTYLE
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
transforming western into a fall fashion show
First-yaer Henry Nagel sports his seasonal attire
Sophomore Aiyah Bellefeuille struts her fall flair
Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
How to prosper at your next interview
Photo by AMBER GLINSKI
Tuition, rent, utilities, groceries, internet — this just names a few of the necessary bills that many students pay consistently while trying to make being a student their priority. It’s no wonder that for some, getting a job is an unavoidable demand. Being in a small town, it can be difficult to find work that will match all of your needs. However, it’s not impossible. To get the opportunity to work, most times you’ll have to provide a resume, and often a cover letter, that can properly reflect who you are. When writing your resume, make sure that it is formatted in a way that will reduce the work for the person hiring you. Pick a font size
The search can also continue at local boutiques, such as Gracy Lu’s on Monmouth St., or Fashion Sense on C St. For a more thrifty pursuit, students can head to Dallas to search for the ideal wardrobe by partaking in a bit of a treasure hunt at the Goodwill in town. With a full wardrobe, it’s time to start putting together that fall statement. The easiest way to dress for autumn is with a few seasonal staples. Key items that are a must for anyone are: beanies, sweaters, scarves, boots and, of course, any other piece in the hues of fall — reds, oranges, and certain shades of yellow are a must. With this short guide, and a full closet, all the necessary steps have been taken now to put together an ensemble that reflects the season. For those who choose to partake, don’t forget to dress in a way that matches your sense of style, as well.
Photo by CAITY HEALY
By Caity Healy Lifestyle Editor
Photo by CAITY HEALY
Sweater weather gets students ready to show off their autumn style
As the temperature began dropping on campus, the fashion started heating up. Students made Western their runway as they began throwing on their sweaters, lacing up their boots and donning themselves in the shades of autumn. Fall fashion, commonly known as “sweater weather,” is, for many, a favorite aspect of the season. The wardrobe selections begin offering more options than the previous season’s would; building outfits that appear to be well put together is actually a lot simpler than it seems. In order to assemble the perfect autumn ensemble, students have to know where to look when shopping for those first-rate fall statements. Oftentimes, the best deals can be found online. By looking at apps and websites selling secondhand attire, Poshmark and OfferUp to name a couple, cheap but quality clothing can be found that will add to any outfit.
Ways for students to get ahead and attain job search success By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor
that is easy to read and, likewise, pick a font that isn’t too decorative. If you don’t have lengthy job experience, don’t let this deter you from providing a resume; name your accomplishments and volunteer experience, as well — but make sure what you mention will impress the right people. Whatever you emphasize should match the job you are applying for. Once everything is written out, try keeping it to one page. Once you have the first draft of your resume written out, head to the Service Learning and Career Development office in the Werner University Center for further advice. There, they’ll provide help with editing, connect you to jobs,
SLCD’s drop-in hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday through Thursday
provide career advice and can even hold mock interviews. Allow them to look over your resume, and grab a handout that can point out every aspect that should be included. Make sure that your resume matches all the necessary requirements, and then include it while applying for jobs. If all goes well, and the hiring managers are impressed with your application and/or resume, you may be called back for an interview. This is where you’ll make a real impression on the people you’ll potentially be working with; take advantage of it. Dress a step up from the job you are applying for. Always look put-together, wrinkle-free and bear a welcoming a smile that will
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make your interviewer feel comfortable, as well — remember, in many cases, they’re just as nervous as you are. Basic tips for interviews include, “look them in the eye, and don’t deadfish them”, as noted by junior psychology major Kaylee DeBolt. Maintaining eye contact creates mutual respect, and a firm handshake is an impressive and necessary factor to most interviews. Finding work, especially in a college town, is not always an easy task. Making use of the services at Western such as SLCD, can help ease that burden. Take advantage of it. Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
LIFESTYLE
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Photos by CAITY HEALY
Eating gourmet from a mug Microwave recipes provide ease in the kitchen — or the dorm
By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor
simple scramble
Crack 2 eggs into a mug. Add about 1 tablespoon of milk and stir. Microwave for 1 minute. Add any toppings you would like — cheese is a must — and cook for another 30 to 60 seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Inspired by a recipe found on spoonuniversity.com
The value of getting a full night’s rest Ways to avoid the negative effects of sleep deprivation
By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor “I maybe get five hours a night,” commented first-year pre-nursing major Stephanie Oseguera. “I feel really good in the mornings and then I just crash.” This problem amongst students at Western is all too prevalent. With seemingly never-ending to-do lists and countless responsibilities, sleep can often fall to the back burner. Priorities are made and, for many, getting to bed
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Whether you’re an on-campus student with the desire to stay in dorm or an off-campus student on a time crunch, or you’re simply out of clean dishes, now’s your chance to practice creating these microwave masterpieces. What’s better than a meal in a mug? It’s effortless to eat while binging Netflix in bed, or perfect if you’re on the go. Made with ingredients that are cheap and easy to keep in a mini-fridge, these recipes are foolproof for any student. Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
straightforward french toast
manageable mac n’ cheese
cheap chocolate cake
on time isn’t one of them. Making this a part of your routine is far more than a nasty habit; it’s detrimental to your health. Short-term sleep deprivation has many negative consequences: drowsiness, forgetfulness, high anxiety, high irritability and decreased awareness are among the few. Regularly having nights of poor sleep, though, will do far more than the simple next day irritability. Without proper sleep, you’re putting yourself at risk for problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It’s not just a want — getting a full night’s sleep is essential to living a full and healthy life. According to a study done at Stanford University, the average sleep requirement for college students is well over eight hours. So, if you have an 8 a.m. class, and want to get up at least an hour before — which will also help you
feel more awake and energized during class — you’ll want to be asleep by 11 p.m. While getting to bed on time is definitely a good start, you’ll want to make sure that you’re actually getting a full night’s rest, rather than being fitful and never actually getting deep sleep. In order to do this, there are some simple steps to follow. Do not drink caffeinated beverages four to six hours before you head to bed: no late night lattes, energy drinks, soda or even drinks such as green tea. Simply enjoy those well before bedtime. Next — and this one is often the hardest for many — create a sleep schedule and stick to it. Unfortunately, this also includes your weekends. While it may be tempting to stay up until 3 a.m. when you know you have no responsibilities the next morning, you’re setting yourself up for failure when Monday morning rolls around.
Do yourself a favor, and attempt to stick to a similar schedule everyday. Put away all your electronic devices 30 minutes before bed; Instagram will still be there in the morning, you can check it after sending your Snapchat streaks when you get up the next day. It can wait. Dedicate those 30 minutes in bed before sleeping to unwind, relax and let your mind shut-off. In the end, we are still human beings. Sometimes, those late night homework sessions are unavoidable. The best thing you can do to deal with sleep deprivation the next day is to make sure to stay fueled up and hydrated. Give yourself some breaks during the day. If possible, take a very brief nap. Make sure you aren’t napping too long though, or you’ll be stuck in the same cycle tomorrow.
Mix ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, cinnamon and 1 egg in a mug. Take 1 slice of bread, butter 1 side if possible and rip it into bite size pieces. Submerge this in the egg mix. Microwave for 2 minutes, pausing every 30 seconds. Allow to sit 1 minute before eating. Optional: add chocolate chips for a really sweet treat. Inspired by a recipe found on prettyprudent.com
Put ½ cup of macaroni noodles in a mug and pour in about 1 cup of water. Microwave for 8 minutes, checking every couple of minutes, until the noodles are soft. Add ½ cup of a cheese of your choice to the mug while there’s still a small amount of water. Heat for another minute, and stir until the cheese is melted. Inspired by a recipe found on madebymonique.com
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Purchase 1 box of chocolate cake mix. Take out about 2 tablespoons and mix with 2 tablespoons of soda — cola or cream soda are recommended — and microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. Weird, I know, but I promise it works. Plus, you can save the rest of the cake mix for a future mug cake. Inspired by a recipe found on spoonuniversity.com
Contact the author at chealy16@wou. edu
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ENTERTAINMENT
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
BloodyVox Floods Rice Auditorium A not-so bloody dance ensemble By Alexandra Martin | Entertainment Editor
Continued on the back Cover photo by ALEXANDRA MARTIN
Salem Cinema introduces alternative film experience Petite theater offers nostalgia By Alexandra Martin | Entertainment Editor
Photo by ALEXANDRA MARTIN
Going to the movies, a popular pastime since the Nickelodeon debuted
in the early 20th century, is not only about the movies themselves but the
Tickets are $9 general admission, $8 with Military or student I.D.
BodyVox frightens and delights with big scares on a small stage
whole experience. For most, attending a movie as a child was the first glimpse we received into the adult world. However, with the rise of Netflix, Hulu, ondemand and the increasing popularity of Redbox, along with the untimely demise of Blockbuster, watching a movie seems to have lost some of the magic that it once had. Instead of going on a first date to the local theater and drowning the butterflies in your stomach with toobuttery popcorn and Coca-Cola products, people would rather save the $20 and “Netflix and chill.” But one theater is sticking it to the man and retaining the roots that remind us of our first experience watching a movie on the big screen. Those familiar, dimly-lit, slanted walkways, dancing soda and candy previews and the intimate seating arrangements still remain intact at Salem Cinema, a three-screen theater located on Broadway Street. It’s more than just a place to make a person nostalgic for youth and to see an overpriced cinema remake of a movie that came out thirty years ago. As part of the Manhattan Short Film Festival, Salem Cinema screens movies
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from Sydney, Moscow, Kathmandu and Vienna providing a most unique experience for any Friday night out. Furthermore, the Salem Cinema is beyond being merely a business out to make a profit. The cinema also participates in a program called “Reel Change,” which allows non-profit organizations to borrow the reels that the theater screens to raise money for causes in the Salem area. Some such causes are: The Straub Environmental Learning Center, Salem Audubon Society and Marion-Polk food share. The Salem Cinema, also known as High Street Cinema, opened in 1982 and is the only locally owned and operated theater in the greater Salem area. It strays from the straight and narrow, bringing cinema’s alternative side to life: showing independent, art and foreign films such as Wind River, Viceroy’s House and Deconstructing The Beatles: SGT. Pepper, to name a few of the far-fetched titles now playing. It is an ideal place to get a taste of the past while enjoying the leisure of attending a silver screen feature film. Contact the author journalentertainment@wou.edu
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Photos by ALEXANDRA MARTIN
Nearly every seat in Rice Auditorium was filled this past Friday for the second show in the Smith Fine Arts Series 41st season, — BodyVox: BloodyVox, an imaginative and talented dance ensemble portraying the portentous lore that stems from people’s darkest fears and surrounds the month of October. BodyVox is a dance company from Portland, Oregon, known for its dramatic imagery built through dance with a bit of a slapstick, theatrical twist. After being founded in 1997, BodyVox has attained an impressive number of accolades for performances in nine award winning films, three operas and 30 original shows, among many other achievements. For the opening of the show at Rice, a singular gentleman emerged from the drawn velvety curtains in what appeared to be the get-up of a detective
ENTERTAINMENT
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
True stories of ordinary people Portland Story Theater entertains in Dallas
By Alexandra Martin Entertainment Editor
Photo by ALEXANDRA MARTIN
Lynn Duddy shares a tale of belonging
Catch and Release: Album Reviews September releases leave something to be desired By Alexandra Martin | Entertainment Editor Discovering newly released music before the masses are aware of it used to be a pastime for some. Knowing all the lyrics, mastering the air guitar and making sure that everyone around knows who found it first were all very important parts of being the coolest. Here a few albums that have been released recently. They aren’t for everyone, but at least it’s something other than listening to the same songs you jammed out to in high school. “Half Light” by Rostam, a former group member of Vampire Weekend, is an album that’s almost perfect for studying or sleeping. Having listened
to Vampire Weekend in high school, I find that there are all the elements of Rostam’s previous group, but there’s a finesse to “Half Light” that sets it apart. Perhaps it was taking a page out of Bon Iver’s book for the cinematography of his music video or the minimalism that, ironically, makes you want to go buy the album. It’s his solo debut and, while it reflects his previous group, it is anything but typical. Open Mike Eagle recently released “Brick Body Day Kids Still Dream.” After listening to the first few songs, I felt like I had listened to the same song on repeat. Each tone story made me feel
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There didn’t appear to be an ounce of tension in the room of Dallas’s Pressed Wine and Coffee Bar on Sept. 30. Maybe it was the soft, warm bread and hummus platters or maybe, just maybe, it was the libations of wine delivered by the staff in the hall that kept the crowd preoccupied while waiting for the night’s entertainment to begin. Portland Story Theater paid a visit to Dallas for the third annual Dallas Storyteller Festival. The festival is a week-long event full of assorted stories for all ages, workshops and, my favorite, charming recollections of youth. One such story, told by Beth Rogers entitled “Angels” was a tale recalling her childhood and the trials she experienced being legally blind and attending a public school. After many years, Rogers was fortunate enough to have a teacher who took her under their wing. Now, as an adult, she is able to give back to society as a teacher and provide the same guidance and understanding for her students. Another narrative, titled “Irish,” dictated by Lynn Duddy, was a chronicle
beginning with Saint Patrick and the uncertainty regarding whether or not he was indeed of Irish descent. Duddy delves into the history of Saint Patrick and his everlasting influence on Ireland, despite his genealogy. She effortlessly links times of old with modernity regaling the tale of her upbringing: being put up for adoption and growing up in an Irish family. This was a story of acceptance and belonging to a family or society, like Saint Patrick, despite where life may have started. Portland Story Theater was founded by Lynn Duddy and Lawrence Howard to be a place where creative minds gather to share their true recollections of growth, opposition, acceptance and the encounters people have throughout a lifetime. If you missed out on this opportunity, Portland Story Theater holds shows on the first Friday of every month at 3333 NE 15th Avenue in Portland.
the same feelings, see the same images. In an attempt to interpret this album, I noticed that it mainly focuses on the past, but also dreams of the future — an all too common theme. Some of the songs are so erratic that it actually made me physically frustrated. But maybe there is a level of musicality that I have yet to unearth in myself. After listening to music for hours on end, trying to write this article, I stumbled across the album “I Tell a Fly” by Benjamin Clementine. Just as I was hoping and praying for something different, or an eye-opening album to listen to, I got this. Though it wasn’t exactly what I was searching for, it’s just fine. If you can imagine Death Grips and Timber Timbre having a little music-baby on a rebellious streak, it would be Benjamin Clementine. Similar to past albums, each song carries a similar weight with it and, after having seen Clementine on an NPR
Tiny Desk Concert, I was more than a little disappointed. “I Tell a Fly” is jazzy, avant garde, electronic and modern. Frankly, it’s all over the place. Finally, “Wonderful, Wonderful” by the one and only, The Killers. Perhaps my review of this album is a bit biased, being that I think The Killers are pretty amazing. Imbibing a bit and singing loudly and off-key to “Mr. Brightside” still sounds like a good time to me. This album — however high my hopes were — was not so much of a letdown, as it was a surprise. After disappearing off the scene, The Killers haven’t really lost their touch. “Wonderful, Wonderful” retains the same light and delicate instrumentals that were on previous albums, but with darker emotions. Sure, it is no “Hot Fuss,” but it’s better than a kick in the pants.
Photos courtesy of: (left to right) PITCHFORK.COM, MIKEEAGLE.NET, BENJAMINCLEMENTINE.COM, THEKILLERSMUSIC.COM
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Contact the author journalentertainment@wou.edu
Contact the author journalentertainment@wou.edu
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Ribich talking to high school students at Steens Mountain Running Camp
Photos courtesy of DAVID RIBICH
Ribich running at the 2017 GNAC Track & Field Championships
SPORTS
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Ribich takes the lead Senior David Ribich is a runner to watch By Zoë Strickland | Managing Editor David Ribich has had a good year. So good, in fact, that he was promoted from his position as a tent assistant at Steens Mountain Running Camp. “I would be allowed to be a tent assistant last year but the camp founder said ‘you are on the verge of a professional career. We’re going to pull you out of the tent, you’re now a tent coach,’” explained Ribich. “Now, I’m up at camp as an agent for the kids to talk to.” The camp’s founder wasn’t exaggerating Ribich’s accolades. In the past year, the track and cross country star has been named the 201617 GNAC Male Athlete of the Year, won the 1500-meter title at the 2017 NCAA Division II Championships and travelled to Sacramento, California to compete in the U.S.A. Track and Field Outdoor National Championships. The latter is an honor few collegiate athletes receive. Described by Ribich as “the Olympic trials in an off-year,” the experience was one to behold. “I raced against pro and top division athletes,” said Ribich. “I beat a lot of professional athletes signed by companies with contracts. So, this last summer really opened the door for me next year as a professional athlete.” Ribich went into the event as the 33rd man in the nation and ultimately placed ninth in the final. Solid stats for someone who started running for a nofrills team on a dirt track in Enterprise, Oregon. “I didn’t come from the stellar program,” said Ribich. “I just had a good coach, a dedicated coach.” His coach, Dan Moody, is still working after 42 years, and is currently in possession of the track star’s 1500-meter NCAA trophy — he put it on his mantle. Ribich’s coach isn’t the only one from Enterprise rooting for him; Ribich gets letters and messages of support from citizens throughout the 2,000-person town. The letters are placed near his door in his room, serving as a constant reminder of both how he got to where he is, and what keeps him going. “I came from such a small town that I constantly get messages and letters from people. I have them pinned up on my wall in my room right by my door, so everytime I open a door I look at a letter and read it, and that’s
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why I’m doing it … I’m doing this, and I’m doing it for them. Keeping me motivated is everyone counting on me back home that said ‘you’re going to be a professional athlete some day’ and putting that pressure on me, but it’s like a challenge to me. Having them support me still when I haven’t been home much is incredible.” For Ribich, the decision to start running was made out of practicality. There were only two sports offered for men in Enterprise: football and cross country. “I was just that super tiny skinny kid that had a big mouth,” he said. “(Cross country was) what I pretty much was only able to do and because, in cross country, it’s pretty much the only sport a 4-foot-10-inch freshman could beat a 6-foot, fully-matured man.” Like every graduating senior on campus, Ribich’s future is on the horizon. With a major in communications and a minor in sports leadership and development, he’s paving the way for himself to continue on the path that he’s been running. First up on his life plan: finishing out his athletic career, regardless of how long it may be. Then, the field is wide open. “My major and minor are so broad that I know for a fact I want to be in the running community or running field,” said Ribich. “I just don’t know if it’s collegiate coaching, pro-coaching … I really enjoy public speaking. I’m actually writing a journal.” The journal is a recent project of his — the first entry was written the night before the U.S.A. Track and Field prelims. Ribich is writing the currently untitled journal with the hope of using it in the future as a way of encouraging high school runners. “I just want to focus on my athletic and running career and ... try to travel to high schools, public speak and just say like, ‘guys, you can do whatever you set your mind to. I was an 86-pound freshman from a small school, I went to a division two school, and now — hopefully — I’m a professional athlete.’” In the immediate future, he still has to finish out the school year. He’ll be running the Wes Cook Collegiate meet on Oct. 14, followed by the GNAC Championships on Oct. 21. Regardless of the path that Ribich chooses, it’s bound to be great. “You don’t do college athletics because your friends are doing it, you do it because it’s something you find fun and it’s your passion.” Contact the author at journalmanaging@ wou.edu
SPORTS
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Football redeems itself
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Wolves get back on their feet, break records
After a two-week dry spell, Wolves’ football got back into the action with an 82-21 road win against Simon Fraser University. On Oct. 7, the team travelled north to Burnaby, B.C. to face off against Simon Fraser and along the way ended up setting a new school record for the Wolves and tying an old one. The team racked up a record-breaking 82-points — the highest amount to scored since a 2012 game between the Wolves and Dixie State, which set the record at 66-points. Senior quarterback Nick Duckworth’s six touchdown passes led him to tie the record for most touchdown passes, previously set in 2013. The team gained 604 offensive yards for the day, against Simon Fraser’s 248-yards. “It all started with our week of practice. We focused on pushing the ball down the field in practice which resulted in big plays throughout the game,” said Duckworth. Throughout the game, Western
Junior Mariella Vandenkooy going in for a kill
consistently sat above Simon Fraser on the scoreboard. The Wolves started out strong in the first quarter, with senior Paul Revis scoring a 59-yard, eight-play touchdown. Simon Fraser scored one touchdown in the first quarter, opening up the field to the Wolves. At the end of the first quarter, the board read 24-7. A similar scoring pattern continued throughout the game, with the Wolves scoring three touchdowns in the second quarter and Simon Fraser inching behind them with their second touchdown of the game. The score was a promising 44-14 going into the third, and continued to look-up from there. “Early in the third quarter I threw a touchdown to Paul Revis, and after that I knew our defense would be able to hold on from then on,” said Duckworth. The Wolves finished out the game with an additional four touchdowns and a field goal. This game continues Western’s winning streak against Simon Fraser —
By Zoë Strickland | Managing Editor
Quarterback Nick Duckworth making a pass to runningback Steven Long
a streak that began in 2010. The Wolves are back home on Oct. 14 to go against currently undefeated Central Washington University. Kickoff
is slated for 1 p.m.
up 19. Throughout the first set, Concordia held a consistent lead above Western. The Wolves finally began to redeem themselves with a series of kills and attack errors, but not before Concordia beat them to the 25. The final score read 21-25. The team kicked it into gear for the second set, leading the way for the majority of the remaining time. Their steady lead was halted with repeated kills from Concordia sophomore Jessica Wheeler and Concordia senior Colby Barnette. The repeated attack led the Wolves to a close second set at 24-26. The third set was a slow-build in favor of Concordia; kills and errors were the name of the game. The final score was 17-25, rounding out a loss for the Wolves. The team headed back home to play the Montana State Billings on Oct. 7. After losing to Concordia, the Wolves made a comeback with a 3-0 win against the Billings. Vandenkooy was the kill leader in this
game, as well, racking up 20. Vandenkooy started the Wolves off with a kill at the top of the game. This put the Wolves on a path of steady points ahead of the Billings. The end of the first ended with a gutting 25-9 in favor of Western. The Billings made the first kill of the second set, but Western came back with eight consecutive points. The rest of the set played out in a similar way; Montana State getting a kill in, followed by Western coming in and scoring multiple consecutive points. The third set mimicked the one before it, with both the second and third sets ending 25-18. This win makes Western 2-6 in GNAC. Their only other win of the season so far was against Saint Martin’s in September. The Wolves face two Alaska teams at home this week; University of Alaska on Oct. 12 and University of Alaska Anchorage on Oct. 14.
Contact the author at journalmanaging@ wou.edu
Photo by NICK BROOKS
Volleyball wins one, loses one Team loses to Concordia, prevails against Montana State
Photo courtesty of WOUWOLVES.COM
By Zoë Strickland | Managing Editor
Wolves’ volleyball headed to Portland on Oct. 3 to face off against Concordia University. After a series of tight sets, the final score read 0-3, with the Wolves’ giving up the win. Junior Mariella Vandenkooy scored the most kills for Western, tallying
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Contact the author at journalmanaging@ wou.edu
10
Rick and Morty fan becomes “Meme Singularity”
The ultra-dense particle had only been theorized by scientists until last Saturday By Darien Campo | Designer
This weekend, a fan of the popular Adult Swim show “Rick and Morty” achieved a perfect state of condensed internet humor, which scientists refer to as a “Meme Singularity.” The event occurred on Oct. 7, at a
aries
Portland McDonald’s. The popular fast-food chain was holding a special giveaway of its much sought-after Szechuan dipping sauce to tie-in with the adult cartoon. 20-year-old Western student Hunter Bryant had been waiting in line all day for the sweet sauce packet, but was disappointed to find that stock had run out by the time he had reached the front counter. “They were all out,” a bystander told us. “So many people came for a chance to get the sauce, but there wasn’t enough for everyone.” “I could instantly tell he was one of the crazy ones,” McDonald’s manager Tyler Blankenship said, “He had on a Rick and Morty t-shirt, Rick and Morty cap and various rage face stickers on the back of his phone – which had been playing ‘Get Schwifty’ all day.” “They told him they were out and he just, like, lost it,” added the bystander.
3/21-4/19 taurus
Don’t let your impatience get the best of you, Aries. Yes, the line for coffee is taking a long time, but that’s what happens when you demand a large halfsweet, almond milk, pumpkin spice latte at exactly 120 degrees. Compiled by the Western Journal Staff
HUMOR
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
cancer
libra
12/22-1/19 aquarius
You know, Capricorn, you wouldn’t be out of money for this month already if you didn’t eat so much freaking sushi.
5/21-6/20
You’re not even old enough to have a quarter-life crisis yet, Gemini. Don’t get that tattoo.
8/23-9/22
Go ahead and buy that $4 latte. You deserve it after a night of streaming shows to put off all of your homework.
10/23-11/21 sagittarius 11/22-12/21
Ignore what people tell you, Libra. An all- The stars don’t care if it’s a good deal, black wardrobe is a fantastic idea. Scorpio. You don’t need to buy two hearses. That’s just creepy.
capricorn
Contact the author before the world ends at dcampo13@wou.edu
7/23-8/22 virgo
Be on the look-out, Leo. Some of the shows you’ve been waiting to stream are getting taken off of Hulu this week.
9/23-10/22 scorpio
brilliant, white light. “We’ve theorized about Meme Singularities for years,” Cailiau continued. “But never did we think such a beautiful and rare phenomenon could happen right here on Earth.” Scientists are excited to study the new, perfect lifeform as it expands and contracts – absorbing all the most current references it can gather. Research will continue until the condensed super-particle eventually swallows our entire planet and kills us all. The Meme Singularity was last seen floating high above the Earth, where it communicates only in the Impact typeface.
4/20-5/20 gemini
Reach into the screen to find an image that is liquid horror. In other news, facial recognition databases all over the country have your face and are in pursuit. Stand by for more information.
6/21-7/22 leo
“Outlook not so good.”
“He jumped on the counter and just started yelling ‘ffffffuuuu! Gimme my Szechuan sauce! I want my sauce!’ You know, just like, crazy.” Blankenship continued, “He pulled his shirt off and started writhing on the ground, shrieking ‘I’m Pickle Rick! I’m Pickle Rick, gimme my sauce! Wubba lubba dub dub!’” What happened next was a shock to everyone. “It’s called a Meme Singularity,” we were told by internet scientist Tim Cailiau. “It’s a pure mass of referential matter and image macros condensed down to a single, perfect particle that absorbs pure pop culture. This pulsating particle is denser than any other object in the known universe. It’s actually quite dangerous; we will probably all die under its unstoppable power.” McDonald’s customers looked on as Bryant ascended to a new state of internet humor in an explosion of
Strive for progress, Sagittarius, not perfection. Remember, C’s get degrees.
1/20 - 2/18 pisces
Remember you’re an air sign, Aquarius. It’s only APA formatting, you’ll breeze through it. wou.edu/westernjournal
2/19 - 3/20
Save yourself from future stress, Pisces, and stop planning out how you’re going to use those free absences. The stars and you, both, know your grades can’t afford that.
EDITORIAL Sports’s missing motivators
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
11
Western needs to recruit, motivate, coach better
For almost 20 years now, I’ve been a supporter of Western Oregon sports, with season tickets to volleyball, basketball (men and women) and football. But, I never attended this school. I actually graduated from a Division I school which won three national titles in football alone. They also put teams in the NCAA basketball tournament and managed to get into multiple elite-eights, final fours, plus numerous college world series. Interestingly enough, that same Division I school enrolled fewer undergraduates than Western during my time there, and still managed to field solid athletic teams in spite of being a pure-engineering school. Back then, you couldn’t get a degree other than a BS, MS or PhD, and there were no liberal arts schools because everybody had to take calculus, chemistry and physics. So, how did they pull off this feat? Simple. They used the big three philosophy: recruit student athletes (equal emphasis on studies and athletics), employ motivating and skilled coaches and rally the fan base to every stinking game. It works, folks. 5,000 undergrad students and three national football titles! Western can get there too. Western’s men’s basketball team made it to the title game just a couple of years ago, but it takes all three to prove once was not a fluke. Western’s volleyball team has solid student athletes, perhaps the best class at every skill position in at least five years. Coach Tommy Gott seems to have them sufficiently motivated, and undoubtedly will produce winning teams in another year or so. For the volleyball home opener, the statistics sheet showed attendance of 850 at the match. For games one and two, I suspect there were 750 Western fans and perhaps 100 Northwest Nazarene fans. The vast majority of the Western fans were students. That’s a great start on that big three philosophy — talented student-athletes, solid coaching and
Photo courtesy of STATESMANJOURNAL.COM
By Jim Purdy Guest Contributor
great fan support. For those first two games of the match, the fan support buoyed the Western team to an amazing set of victories. These were actually easy victories, considering Northwest Nazarene was undefeated and Western was barely 5050 on the season. I sat on Western’s side of the old gym for those two games and would attest to the solid fan support. It was loud and boisterous. I moved to the other side of the court for the third game because Wolfie, the mascot who stands about 6’-6” tall and whose head is almost half as wide as he/she is tall, insisted on standing right in front of my seat for most of the two games. From the other side of the court, I could see all of the game, but also noticed a steady stream of fans leaving the student section. I suspect half of the student fan base never saw the amazing way Northwest Nazarene, and their uber-involved coach, took control of that pivotal third game. With the score 16-10 in Western’s favor, Nazarene’s coach called his second and final time-out. That time-out didn’t seem to stop the pointbleeding for Nazarene, but it was critical nonetheless. Western fans continued to stream out. It was as if there was some kind of curfew looming at around 8:30 p.m. and nobody wanted to get caught in the old gym. The critical mass of fan support for Western vaporized and Nazarene stepped up their play a notch. A corner was turned, and the entire momentum of the game shifted. A few minutes later the Nazarene coach stepped up his critique of the officiating and the scorekeeping, and I still don’t
understand how the score changed — but it did. Nazarene won that game, and turned the rest of the games into a match-winning nightmare for Western. The match, which should have ended much earlier than it did at something close to 25-20 for Western in a deciding third game in an amazing 3-0 shut-out, lasted far too long in a narrow Nazarene victory at three games to two. Western actually had more points, 70.5 to 69, and posted three double-digit-killplayers to only two for Nazarene. In short, and on paper, they played better than Nazarene and still lost the match. By the time the end of the fourth game came for Western, there were probably
Fans don’t actually win games, and neither do coaches. Student athletes win games — but fans and coaches can be significant contributors to a loss as many Nazarene fans as there were Western fans and most of the student section had abandoned their team for something else. In the tie-breaking fifth game, the Nazarene fan base was vocally superior to Western’s and that may have been a significant contributing factor to Western’s loss. After all, they had Nazarene on the rope well past the midpoint in that third and potentially deciding game, but still Western
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managed to lose momentum and ultimately lose the match. Gott will eventually learn how to work the courtside official like that Nazarene coach. A good coach is like a seventh player who can’t actually touch the ball when it’s in play, but can affect the game at critical moments. Nazarene’s coach certainly earned his coaching salary in that pivotal third game. He kept up the coaching pressure in the fourth and fifth games as well. Western’s student fan base has some distance to go. To paraphrase a favorite old poetic piece, “they have miles to go before they sleep.” They need to stay for the whole game if Western is going to challenge in the GNAC. When the fan base was there and vocally supporting the Western players, the Western players responded. In fact, they dominated the other team. When the fan volume diminished, it was like the “extra” player they needed for that domination just left the game. Fans don’t actually win games, and neither do coaches. Student athletes win games — but fans and coaches can be significant contributors to a loss. Gott will quickly grow into a fine coach, and a winning coach who works right up to the end no matter if it’s a win or a loss. I wonder if Western’s student fan base can do the same. My twenty years of watching Western’s athletes do their thing suggests they might need to stick around and support their team right up to the end, no matter if it’s a win or a loss. Contact the editor at journaleditor@ wou.edu to publish a response.
Photos by ALEXANDRA MARTIN
12
TAIL-END
The Western Journal Wednesday, October 11, 2017
BloodyVox
Continued from page 6 from a ‘40’s movie: trench coat, fedora, brief case — you get the idea. After some bizarre tight-lipped gesticulation toward the audience, he whipped a microphone and a cell out of his pocket and, using an application similar to Mouth Mover, began to present the night’s entertainment. He coaxed out a couple laughs from the audience by switching to an iPad as opposed to his phone and after a couple minutes, disappeared behind the curtain. Each following entertainment piece alternated between the 11 performers present at Rice Auditorium while employing an array of props for each dance to drive home the theme “BloodyVox.” In the dance, “Dormez Vous,” which means “you sleep” in French, a bed was utilized to give the illusion of people sleeping and creatures of the night spilling out from underneath the bed. Piece by piece, the performances were aided by costumes and miscellaneous objects on the stage in addition to the choreography and music, maintaining the same nebulous feel throughout the show. While there was not exactly blood in “BloodyVox,” when paired with a fog machine, flashing lights, ominous music and put near pitch black lighting over the audience, the evening’s entertainment casted a hematic shadow in the best way possible. BodyVox wrapped up the first portion of the Smith Fine Art Series fall season. The entertainment will resume Jan. 12 with Celtic Journey: Sounds and Soundtracks, featuring Western’s own Dirk Freymuth. Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Are you interested in living, working and teaching in Japan? The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program provides college graduates a unique opportunity to teach English to students in the Japanese public school system. Graduates help develop foreign language education by serving as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations. This successful and respected program helps promote international exchange at the local level by fostering ties between Japanese youth and JET Program participants from around the world. The Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Oregon will be at Western Oregon University for an informational orientation on the JET Program on the following day:
Date: Time: Bldg: Room:
October 17th, 2017 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. University Center Willamette Room
APPLICANTS MUST Have U.S. Citizenship Or hold citizenship of one of the other 46 participating countries. Hold a Bachelor’s Degree by July 1, 2018 No Japanese language ability required for the Assistant Language Teacher position. Online Application Due by November 9th, 2017 Mail-in Application Due by November 18th, 2017 Applications are available at: http://jetprogramusa.org For more information, contact Career Services, the Consular Office of Japan at (503) 221-1811 ext 314, or visit us online at the URL above.
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