Vol. 17, Issue 13 (Feb. 1, 2017)

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 VOLUME 17 ISSUE 13

Indie films shine at Sundance film festival Page 7 WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL

NEWS

THE WESTERN JOURNAL

345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STEPHANIE BLAIR

journaleditor@wou.edu

MANAGING EDITOR ZOË STRICKLAND

journalmanaging@wou.edu

NEWS EDITOR JADE RAYNER

journalnews@wou.edu

CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR PAIGE SCOFIELD

journalcampuslife@wou.edu

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR ASHTON NEWTON journalentertainment@wou.edu

SPORTS EDITOR BURKE DE BOER

journalsports@wou.edu

PHOTO EDITOR KEITH MATHEW

journalphoto@wou.edu

DESIGNERS DARIEN CAMPO ELISSA SORENSON

journaldesigner@wou.edu

COPY EDITOR KRISTIN ECK

journalcopy@wou.edu

ADVERTISING MANAGER BRIAN TESCH journaladvertising@wou.edu

WEB MANAGER GEANELL BERNARDO journalweb@wou.edu

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER SAMANTHA DUNAWAY STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER RHYS FINCH finchr@wou.edu 503-838-9697

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 Contact information will not be published unless requested.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 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 necessarily reflect those of THE WESTERN JOURNAL or Western Oregon University.

Community gathers to discuss race in Oregon

Photos by TK LAYMAN

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The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Oregon Humanities’ Conversation Project invokes critical thought on race in Oregon

By TK Layman | Staff Writer

A slide from Dr. Emily Drew’s lecture discussing “The Color Line”

“Racism is an emotion filled topic,” Willamette University sociology professor Emily Drew began her lecture.

“If we’re aware, we are feeling something.”

The night began as attendees gathered in the Anderson Room of the Salem Public Library for the first installation of Oregon Humanities’ “Conversation Project:” a series of lectures given by community leaders to engage members in a thoughtful discussion of the world around them.

Dr. Drew led the night discussing Oregon’s image on race in her presentation titled “Power, Privilege, and Racial Diversity in Oregon.”

The first discussion began with a quote

by W.E.B. Du Bois, “The problem of the 100 years ahead of us,” Drew repeated, “is a problem of ‘the color line.’” With that quote in mind, the groups engaged in thoughtful conversation about perceptions of race during the Civil Rights Era to today.

Throughout the night the audience broke off into small groups to discuss with their peers about several topics including ideas such as the prevalence of “Sun Down Towns” within Oregon. Dr. Drew cited a study conducted by James Lowen and a team of graduate students that found a collection of “Sun Down Towns,” or a town within the state where minority groups may feel unsafe or unwelcome.

The groups got together and expressed their surprise and concern with the list of Oregon cities seen today as “Sun Down Towns;” Drew led the discussion back toward the community, tied it into Portland’s presence not on the list and their vision of diversification. A common perception of Portland has sources, such as The New Geographer, believing it has a lack of racial diversification. Dr. Drew, unshaken, proved otherwise stating

recent studies. www.oregonhumanities.org/programs/ “The Coalition of Communities of conversation-project Color studying Multnomah county,” Drew said, “1-out-of-3 people living in Contact the author at tlayman16@wou.

Multnomah county are people of color.” edu Before the final group discussion, a U.S. Census Data report was displayed for the audience to see the diverse makeup of those living in Salem, OR Dr. Emily Drew delivering her lecture at the Salem Public Library and had audience members engaged thinking critically of the identities of those on the census.

Dr. Drew closed out the discussion looking for community thoughts on how to create a more equitable and inclusive community, prompting more group thinking and reflection. Each group shared their insights as they worked together toward a common goal, of creating a holistic environment for all.

The Oregon Humanities’ Conversation Project continues their series on Feb. 2, with speaker Kerani Mitchell and her presentation titled “Where Are You From?”

For those interested in being a part of the community discussions, the event will be held at the Salem Public Library, Thursday Feb. 2 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Room.

To learn more about Oregon Humanities’ Conversation Project, go to

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NEWS

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Helping the environment: don’t just talk about it

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Luckiamute Watershed Council offers local volunteer opportunities

Photos by JADE RAYNER

Volunteering for the Luckiamute Watershed Council can include a variety of jobs. “We participate in the Fourth of July parade, and help clean up the litter after the parade: we always need help for

By Jade Rayner | News Editor that. In the summer season we have field opportunities to help with our temperature Many people talk about the importance monitoring program, and also weeds, so of helping the environment but few know in our planting areas there’s often times where to start. For those wanting to put we can use people helping us clip weeds their words into action, the Luckiamute so they don’t drop seeds and spread …

Watershed Council is there to help.

We have space on our committees, and on “We’re a non-profit, and our mission our board and we’d love to have student is to engage and assist landowners engagement and organization itself,” in restoration of the Luckiamute and Kristen Larson added.

Ash Creek Watersheds,” stated Kristen For those interested in learning more Larson, Council Coordinator of the about the Luckiamute Watershed Council, Luckiamute Watershed Council in our A section of the Luckiamute Watershed Photo courtesy of LUCKIAMUTELWC.ORG they hold meetings on the second Thursday interview at the council’s Burgerville of each month at 7 p.m.; locations of the fundraiser on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

When asked what the council does in the meetings vary and can be found on www.

A watershed is an area of land that drains to area, Larson explained that, “We do things like LuckiamuteLWC.org. Volunteer interest forms a common body of water; Ash Creek Watershed controlling invasive weeds to allow the native can also be found on their website. starts in Dallas, travelling through the Polk County vegetation to thrive; we plant native trees and communities of Monmouth and Independence shrubs along stream banks and the rivers. We do Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu and drains into the Willamette River. restoration projects to help fish habitats ...”

Luckiamute Watershed Council and their volunteers at the Burgerville fundraiser

Weekly update: Incidental Fee Committee New budgets determined for campus programs

By TK Layman | Staff Writer

A Luckiamute Watershed Council display at Burgerville

Week two of the Incidental Fee Committee took place on Jan. 27 for on-campus programs to present their proposed budgets for the upcoming school year. The committee heard presentations this week from three organizations: Creative Arts, Student Media, and Campus Recreation.

Previous week’s presentations saw proposed budgets for accessibility through the Office of Disability Services, Abby’s House, Childcare through the Children’s Development Center, WOLF Ride, and Service Learning and Career Development. Of the organizations who have presented, they’ve proposed their internal budget in relation to on and off-campus events to take

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place, as well as compensation for the workers involved in the departments.

Week three takes place on Feb. 3 with the final round of budget presentations for student organizations: Athletics, Student Engagement and ASWOU. Following the final set of presentations, the Incidental Fee Committee will make their preliminary decision of the proposed budgets and the fee for the 17-18 School year on Feb. 10.

For students looking to keep up with proposed budgets for on campus groups and organizations they are encouraged to go to wou.edu/ifc.

Contact the author at tlayman16@wou.edu

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CAMPUS LIFE

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Photo by AMBER HOLLAND

Club spotlight: Black Student Union

By Paige Scofield | Campus Life Editor

Pictured above: students converse at BSU meeting

Student organizations are a very important part of a college education.

They allow students to branch out and find their passions, as well as meet new people and make new friends. They teach students how to organize events and meetings as well as how to work as a team., The Black Student Union is an organization on campus that is part of Western’s University Diversity Committee. Recently, they helped end Western’s MLK Celebration Week with a slam poetry event held in Café Allegro.

Courtney Briscoe, a senior psychology

... it gives me an enviornment to talk to people I identify with, either ethnically or socially

major, has been a part of the Black Student Union for three years and is now president of the organization.

“The Black Student Union is a student organization that works to promote diversity around campus as well as social issues. It is meant to be a fun and welcoming environment where all members of [Western] can go to to talk,” said Briscoe.

She wanted to be very clear that this club is not exclusive, “One thing I want

where I feel welcomed and excited to go to every week! It’s a place where I feel I can talk about issues that are dear to me and the community I am a part of, without feeling like my opinion is invalid.”

To learn more information, visit Western’s website and search University Diversity Committee.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Photos AMBER HOLLAND

“

people to know about BSU is that you do not have to be black to be a part of it.

Being part of a small ethnic group here we like to see other members of the [Western] community attend. It’s nice to feel supported by our fellow peers.”

Black Student Union has meetings every Tuesday, located in the Klamath room of the Werner University Center at 4:00 p.m. Feel free to attend to learn more about Black Student Union and your fellow peers.

“BSU is important to me, because it gives me an environment to talk to people I identify with, either ethnically or socially,” said Briscoe. “It’s a place

Pictured above: student listens during BSU meeting

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CAMPUS LIFE Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater

By Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor Western offers a wide variety of degrees that students can major in, many of which students don’t know are offered, or know next to nothing about. This week, in “Get To Know a Major”: receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater.

Natalie Doerfler, a sophomore, is working towards receiving a BFA in theater with a focus in acting.

“Originally, I had gotten a scholarship to St. Mary’s, in Minnesota of all places. But, my twin sister, Meghan, wanted to come visit Western, so I tagged along with her,” said Doerfler.

“As soon as I got on campus I knew that I wanted to go here. It’s small, and I thought, this is a place I could call

home nine months out of 12.”

Once Doerfler learned more about the BFA program from the theater professors, she was ready to start her college years at Western. The Western website describes the program as, “a rigorous and competitive program of study for students interested in pursuing careers in the professional theater.

This pre-professional program is designed to combine intensive training with a liberal arts education. All aspects of theater—art, craft, business and education—are examined, with a focus on theatrical production.”

The program offers many classes, from Theater History to Acting for the Camera.

“Some of the classes are more intensive in just acting, and learning and doing and performing. There’s classes like stage combat that you can take, it’s not required, but you can take them. It’s really cool, and I know how to properly fight with a broadsword

Continued on page 12

Pictured above: Natalie Doerfler

Gain the confidence to go after the jobs you want

Work on Western’s campus

Photo by PAIGE SCOFIELD

By Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor

Pictured above: Cheyanne Burt

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Photo by PAIGE SCOFIELD

Get to know a major:

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

On Western’s campus, there is a wide variety of jobs and volunteer work available to students. Not only is it convenient, but also easy to access, because the work is on campus. Building up job experience or volunteer work can be difficult to manage when also going to school full time, but Western offers many positions that work with and for its students.

Cheyanne Burt, a senior interdisciplinary studies-health education major has been volunteering for Abby’s House as an advocate volunteer since fall term of this year.

“The past director of Abby’s House came into my violence and public health class the spring term of 2016, and was talking about Abby’s House,” said Burt, “I just got really interested

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and I wanted to make an impact as well, so I applied to be an advocate.

After summer training I started fall term.”

When asked why it’s important for students to work for their school, Burt replied, “I think it’s a great experience in a controlled environment. So we’re gaining that experience, and gaining that work experience, and volunteer experience, with people who are willing to help us, people who are wanting to see us succeed. They provide us with the tools to do that when we graduate.”

If thinking whether to work for Western or not, Burt says, “The more experience you have the better. All the work and volunteer work I’ve done at campus will help me to pursue the careers I want to, and have that confidence in what I have done the last four years to get a good job.”

If interested in looking for work or volunteer work at Western, visit Service Learning and Career Development downstairs in the Werner University Center. They have job applications for part-time and full-time jobs, as well as volunteer work opportunities.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The dethroned king of gaming Nintendo’s decade long rough patch

Photo courtesy of NINTENDO.COM

By Ashton Newton Entertainment Editor

Link’s new look from “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”

I had the kind of grandparents who referenced everything related to video games as “a Nintendo”, which was an easy thing for individuals unfamiliar with gaming to do with how prominent the name was.

Despite large success since 1997, Nintendo was at its financial peak with 2006’s Wii, selling 101.1 million units as of 2016, more than both the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360.

Since then, Nintendo has been pushed to the very back of the console market, with the WiiU selling only 13 million units. Not only was the WiiU the lowest selling Nintendo product, but it sold less units than any of Sony’s or Microsoft’s consoles. The WiiU’s hardware just couldn’t compare with the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. While the original Wii’s hardware couldn’t keep up with the modern consoles, the main selling point was fun. Both “Wii Sports” and “Mario Kart Wii” quickly became fan favorites and helped contribute to the console’s success. The WiiU lacked memorable

games and couldn’t run popular games, so it was much less desirable and the sales of other modern consoles soared instead.

2017 will see the release of Nintendo’s new console, the Switch. Nintendo told The Wall Street Journal that they’re producing three million units to start out and are anticipating selling 10 million by the end of 2017, almost catching up to the WiiU. With optimized hardware to play modern games, such as “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”, and a large list of new original games including “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “Super Mario Odyssey”, Nintendo is attempting to appeal to gamers on all levels.

The $300 price tag isn’t stopping fans from taking to social media with excitement. The console has already developed a large fanbase online with users on sites like Reddit collecting all the information they can.

The Nintendo Switch releases on March 3, 2017, with more games and support releasing later.

Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou

By Ashton Newton Entertainment Editor Editor’s Recommendation: A large amount of “Star Wars” content outside of the films relies heavily on the characters and events in them. True originality is difficult to find in the “Star Wars” universe; the recent “Rogue One” struggled with that.

Luckily, the animated television show “Star Wars: Rebels” has the perfect amount of originality. The show follows a crew of rebels, long before “A New Hope,” on their many adventures.

“Rebels” doesn’t rely on the movies at all. When an event or character is referenced, it’s done for pure enjoyment rather than plot reliance.

All characters have their own struggles and arcs that viewers easily get attached to. The character relationships are so rich that reliance on the movies is not necessary.

Editor’s Disparagement: ABC’s “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” has aired alongside Marvel films since “Thor: The Dark World.” The show takes places in the cinematic universe and follows Agent Coulson from “The Avengers” and his team of agents.

The show’s concept is exciting but the execution is not great. Existing alongside Marvel films doesn’t excuse the weak plots and thin characters.

When a new film releases, the show minorly ties in. Watching the show made the beginning of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” make more sense, but it took 13 episodes of boring filler to get there.

One or two moments of payoff per season is hardly a reason to watch a show, and that’s just what “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” requires viewers to do.

Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu

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Photo courtesy of DISNEYXD.DISNEY.COM

Editor’s Picks

New characters and familiar faces in “Star Wars: Rebels”

ENTERTAINMENT

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

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Photo courtesy of SUNDANCE.ORG

Recap of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival

By Alyssa James | Staff Writer

On January 29, the Sundance Film Festival came to a close in Park City, UT. It started on January 19, showing over 100 new, feature-length, independent films throughout the 10 day festival according to sundance.org.

Within this festival, there are multiple different sections for the films which include: U.S. dramatic competition, U.S. documentary competition, world cinema dramatic competition, world cinema documentary competition, and next. As 2017 continues, we will start to see some of these titles more and more as they make a presence in the theaters.

One film shown within the U.S. dramatic competition was “Ingrid Goes West.” The film showcases the social media idolization of this age.

As a young woman, Ingrid, played

by Aubrey Plaza, grows an obsession with Instagram user Taylor Sloane, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen. Because of her obsession, Ingrid decides to moves to L.A. to become friends with

Taylor. According to slashfilm.com says the film is, “not just your average comedy film, but a smart commentary on our social media obsessed world.”

“Last Men in Aleppo” is a documentary that follows some of

“

Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olson from “Ingrid Goes West”

to save lives.” This documentary is directed by Feras Fayyad and Steen Johannessen and has been said to be one of the documentaries that is most difficult to see this year, according to theguardian.com.

The Sundance Film Festival desires to make a place available for artists to present the work that they poured their heart and soul into to

the founding members of The White Helmets, the group of men who go around in attempt to save people from the war-stricken state of their country, Syria.Kutv.com reported that, “everything about the fly-onthe-wall documentary is deeply grim. There are no interviews, just cameras showing the raw struggle

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon wrote the screenplay for the comedy-drama film, “The Big Sick,” based off their own lives and the difficulty of their interracial romance.

It focuses on the culture-clash between Nanjiani’s pakistani culture and the culture of Emily, an american.

Sundance.org wrote that Nanjiani

mined “... his personal stories for comedy gold, he shares his experiences that are uniquely Pakistani but will resonate for everyone who has ever fallen in love.” This film was a huge hit at the Sundance Film Festival and is anticipated to have major success.

There was a vast variety of films showed at Sundance. As people are talking about the films that are receiving Oscars for this year, this festival sets up the movies that will be contenders for next year. The Sundance Film Festival desires to make a place available for artists to present the work that they poured their heart and soul into to create. All of the filmmakers have something that they want to convey to their audience and the best part is that we are able to watch and enjoy these films, and maybe even be moved by them.

Contact the author at ajames16@wou. edu

Photo courtesy of NPR.ORG

Cover photo courtesy of SUNDANCE INSTITUTE

That’s a wrap

A white helmet in a ruined Aleppo, from “Last Men in Aleppo”

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SPORTS

Men’s Basketball goes 2-0 on Road Team effort leads Wolves on winning road trip

By TK Layman | Staff Writer

Western Oregon Wolves Men’s Basketball finished a two-week road trip with a pair of wins last week.

The Wolves ended up edging out the Northwest NazareneCrusaders in a 69-67 victory. Ali Faruq-Bey totaled a team high 23 points that night, tacking on 5 defensive rebounds and 2 steals.

Tanner Omlid had a great overall performance, totaling 13 points with 9 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 6 assists, and 6 steals.

Rounding out the road trip the Wolves had an 85-68 win over the Central Washington Wildcats. Wolves Faruq-Bey continued his scoring performance with 21 points, scoring

15-of- 21 behind the arc. JJ Chirnside helped with a great defensive performance adding 8 rebounds to his 13 total points for the game.

Following the road trip the Wolves sit with an 11-9 record, 8-4 GNAC, putting them in third place for men’s GNAC standings.

They return home Thursday, Feb. 2 where they take on the Saint Martin’s Saints in the Hall vs. Hall night.

Follow the Wolves online at wouwolves.com

Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM

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The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Contact the author at tlayman16@ mail.wou.edu

Demetrius Trammell scored 12 against Central Washington

Record-setting weekend for indoor track Western Oregon named GNAC team of the week

By Burke De Boer | Sports Editor

Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu

The Wolves lost 45-65 to Western Washington and 49-60 to Simon Fraser

Junior guard Shelby Snook put up 19 points against 15thranked Western Washington

Defensive skills not enough

Sophomore forward Ali Nelke and junior guard Sydney Azorr both scored 14 points over the week

Though the defense was solid once again, the offense couldn’t top 21stranked Simon Fraser

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Junior forward Savannah Heugly scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds against Simon Fraser

By Burke De Boer | Sports Editor

Western Washington’s bench scored 20 points while the Wolves’ only scored eight

Photos by AMBER HOLLAND

The Wolves track and field team was named the GNAC team of the week after an incredible showing at the University of Washington Invitational.

The indoor track event saw Western Oregon break two conference records and five school records.

Junior distance runner David Ribich ran a mile in 4:02.30 to set a new record for both the school and the conference. It’s also this year’s first NCAA automatic qualifier coming out of the conference and stands as the fastest time in all of Division II so far.

Kennedy Rufener then finished the 5,000 meter race in 17:24.07, a new school record. Her time currently leads the GNAC. School records were set in both the men’s and women’s distance medley relay.

First-year sprinter Grayson Burke arrived with a flash, joining the veteran 4x400 meter relay team to set the fifth team record.

Junior Suzanne Van De Grift was involved in both the distance medley relay and the 4x400 meter relay teams to get into the record books twice. She also ran a 2:14.10 to rank 16th in the nation in the 800 meters.

SPORTS

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

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Pro women’s hockey fights for a future

Photo courtesy of NWHL.ZONE

A new league makes cuts in hopes to grow

By Burke De Boer | Sports Editor

Dispatches from the sports desk:

Watch out for the Wiz

By Burke De Boer | Sports Editor

strong business model, the likes is seen across all of professional sports. This attracted team owners, investors and sponsors. ESPN’s online streaming service ESPN3 has aired matches, and Dunkin Donuts gave the league a multi-year sponsorship deal.

But to make it over the hump that

“

Connecticut Whale goaltender Nicole Stock was selected to the 2017 All-Star game

does not intend to fold. The goal is to return to the original salary next year.

But before that can be accomplished, the league must see financial improvements.

The league will continue to provide all uniforms and equipment to its teams.

This too is a first for post-collegiate

The minimum player salary was cut in half last November

every new business faces, some concessions had to be made. The most notable was a pay cut early into the 2016-17 season. The 10,000 dollar minimum player salary was cut in half last November.

This is seen as an unfortunate yet necessary step from management. The first women’s league to pay its players

women’s hockey leagues in America.

The sports world certainly benefits from having a salaried women’s hockey league. What remains to be determined is just how far it will go.

The Washington Wizards opened the year terribly, going 2-8 but turned things around and have the best record in the east over the last two months.

Just last week, they dressed in allblack to put their rivalry with the Celtics to rest. And it was a funeral, beating the third-ranked Celtics 123108. They followed it by thrashing the fourth-ranked Hawks 112-86.

Meanwhile, at the top of the Eastern Conference, the Cavs lost to the Blazers, the Pelicans, the Kings.

LeBron made headlines saying his team is too top-heavy.

Cleveland will get back on track; LeBron teams always do. But if this Washington team stays on form I’m seeing a new candidate for sheriff in the east.

John Wall has scored right around 30 points a game for two months. He’s averaging 23 points and 10 assists this season. That’s an average of a doubledouble.

Otto Porter and Bradley Beal have

Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu

Photo courtesy of NWHL.ZONE

It was only recently that women hockey players in this country began to be paid for their sport.

Now the National Women’s Hockey League is midway through its second season and the Boston Pride tops the table. The three teams below them are the Buffalo Beauts, the New York Riveters and the Connecticut Whale.

It is a faster-paced game than what is played on NHL ice, with less pauses to fight. And while NHL rosters tend to be dominated by Canadians, here American women lead the way.

Which only makes sense, as Team USA has won the world championship in each of the last three years.

While the Pride are undefeated, sitting at 11 wins from 11 games, the remaining three teams have played largely balanced games against one another.

League founder and commissioner Dani Rylan built the league on a

Lauren Slebodnick of the Boston Pride

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also found themselves. The young core that Washington spent a few years developing is now paying off.

Coming off the bench, Kelly Oubre is a defensive machine and Trey Burke sometimes shows flashes of lightning.

If the Cavs are worried about depth, the Wiz may be the stuff of nightmares.

Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu

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HUMOR

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Let’s get experimental Alternative coffee brews

By Brian Tesch | Advertising Manager For all of our lives, we were taught to use water to brew a cup of coffee in the morning. Let’s admit it: after a while, black coffee can be a bit dull. Until now, your only option was to buy either an expensive Keurig or espresso machine, maybe you add a bit of syrup after your coffee is brewed. Or maybe you’re just a dull person and drink black coffee every morning.

wrestling grizzly bears. That is, until the bear notices you and rips your head off. #2: Coffee Brewed with Dr. Pepper 2/10 This depends on your interpretation of fresh sewage. You may find this drink bearable if you’re the type of person who digs through rubbish bins, finds half eaten cans of old spam and thinks “jackpot.”

If you wake up in the morning believing you are a potato trapped in a human body, I’d recommend this drink for you. #3: Coffee brewed with raspberry lemonade 7/10 This is by far my favorite one of the mix, a very sophisticated flavor of cooked raspberry with a side of coffee. This cup is for thrill seekers only, if you are the type of person who rides roller coasters for the initial view, steer clear. If you drink this regularly you

may lose most of your friends to extreme jealousy. #4: Coffee Brewed with Sunny D 1/10 Initially, the smell is appalling, but only after you take your first sip do you realize the scale of the mistake you have just made. It smells and tastes like a pidan egg. I would drink this cup if I was the sort of person who enjoyed shoving furious rodents into my mouth in the morning. Recommending this drink would be as misguided as recommending an adult film for its plot.

Contact the author at journaladvertising@wou.edu

My question is simple, can you brew coffee with liquids other than water to spice up your mornings?

The Journal decided to do some experimenting to find the answer.

Crossword answers

Illustrations by ELISSA SORENSON

#1: Coffee Brewed with Coca-Cola Vanilla 6/10 My first reaction was to remark on the delightful smoothness of the drink. The Coke seems to brilliantly mask the coffee without covering the flavor too much. A hint of vanilla seals the deal. This drink is almost comparable to the adrenaline rush of

4. Watson 5. Carell 6. Hanks 7. Depp 9. Lawrence 12. Jackson

13. Streep 14. Pitt 15. Cohen 17. Tennant 19. Ledger

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1. Evans 2. Aniston 3. Jolie 5. Cumberbatch 8. Travolta

10. Cage 11. Maguire 16. Carrey 18. Ford

EDITORIAL

Loving thyself From the perspective of a person with low self-esteem

By Keith Mathew | Photo Editor As a society that thrives on self-deprecating jokes, we start to believe the jokes we create for ourselves on a subconscious level. I see a large majority of people I know who do not think they are good people, or at least to the level of everyone else around them.

I am one of those people who does not think highly of themselves. It has taken me a long time to get to this point to start to improve myself. It takes an immense amount of effort to start the process and to continue it. The most common thing people say is “fake it until you make it.” It is kind of true, having fake confidence in one’s self is a trial run of what the goal ultimately is. The fake confidence is the start of getting comfortable with the idea and feeling or acting confident.

I feel the reason most people have low selfesteem or lack of confidence comes from the tendency to compare ourselves to other people. I’m not as smart as them, I’m not as

Individualism in a state of togetherness A process of self-actualization

By Kristin Eck | Copy Editor Being in a healthy relationship can help someone learn about themselves and what they need from another person. As a young, recently married person, I have a lot of growing to do despite my personal relationship. In what many call a process of self-actualization, I will spend the rest of my life working to love and know myself more.

While it is great having someone hold me accountable for my actions, challenging me to be a

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

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cool as them, I’m not as masculine as them, I’m not as fit as them. Those comparisons are harmful. They put us down because we aren’t at the level of another person. We think that because we aren’t at the same level, we think we are even more less-than and it creates a negative self-image.

There is a common thought process for people with low self-image that they should be working on themselves before they start to date another person. It annoys me because it takes a lot to work on yourself and another person may actually help.

Another person may open the mind to improving

and the love of another person can help heal, repair, fix and improve.

The love of another person pushes the other to try and to become better. I bet no one was 100 percent confident in themselves when another person came along. That process of thinking just does not help, having another person is not bad, it is good for loving one’s self.

With my experiences of low self-image, friends and family try to make me feel better by complimenting me however, because of the compliments I feel bad for not feeling better about myself. The problem is not whether I know I’m good or not, it is the Illustration by ELISSA SORENSON feeling. I know that I am smart, I know I am nice, I know that I am amazing but the feeling is not there to back it up.

It is my goal this term to improve myself and to have real confidence - not just the fake kind. The best way to improve is to have a mantra, a saying to tell yourself how great and amazing you are. Sounds cheesy but it does help. Self-love is a process and it is hard work.

Contact the author at kmathew14@wou.edu

better person and encouraging me in my efforts, the bottom line is that only I can decide to change.

Nobody else can do the difficult task of self-

“

In what many call a process of self-actualization, I will spend the rest of my life working to love and know myself more

improvement for me. I’ve witnessed far too many people my age seek out self-fulfillment in others

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while forgetting that they are not who they date.

That being said, I don’t agree with the idea that people should only try dating as a means to understanding who they are and what they want. This way of thinking implies that singledom is something to be overcome instead of embraced.

It may sound overly cliché coming from a married person, but there are times when I miss the independence that comes with being single.

Singleness provides the opportunity to explore avenues of life without the influence of another person. However, I also believe it’s possible to be with someone who doesn’t hinder your ability to explore those avenues.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, remember that being in college is a masterful balancing act that involves the process of self actualization. If you’re single, be empowered and take the opportunity to know and love yourself.

If you’re in a committed relationship, find time to better yourself with the help of someone you love.

Contact the author at keck14@wou.edu.com

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TAIL-END

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Major

Continued from page 5 now,” she said.

When asked what her favorite class was, Doerfler replied, “Movement II, because I got to study an animal, and see how animal movements can influence a character’s movement.

You want your character’s movement to be different than how you move.

Otherwise it’s not a full performance.”

“The BFA theatre program is almost all acting classes, and it’s less generic things. It’s specifically if you want to be an actor, and want to pursue it as a job,” continued Doerfler. “I’m glad I am able to be a part of it.”

Natalie Doerfler is currently in the Black Box production of “All in the Timing,” which performs on Feb. 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on the 11th at 2:30 p.m.

Contact the author journalcampuslife@wou.edu

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