Vol. IV, Issue 23
April 20, 2022
VOICE YOUR VOTE page 4
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The Western Howl
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Entertainment
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Flicks for Earth Day A list of movies and documentaries to celebrate Earth Day Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor | howlentertainment@wou.edu
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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 Contact information will not be published unless requested.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.
Enjoy Earth Day by watching movies like “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.”
Earth Day is April 22 this year, and after a day filled with environmentalist activities everyone deserves time to rest. Sit back and enjoy these Earth Day themed movies and documentaries. Documentaries about saving the earth: • “Kiss the Ground” — Scientists, farmers, and politicians are joined by celebrity activists in an effort to save the Earth’s vital topsoil, narrated by Woody Harrelson. • “Ice on Fire” — Explores how to prevent extinction level events by reducing and reversing our carbon footprint, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. • “Mission Blue” — Follows the journey of Dr. Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist, oceanographer and environmentalist, as she works to create marine sanctuaries. • “David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet” — Attenborough outlines what he’s observed of humanity’s impact on the planet throughout his prolific career, and details solutions to these problems. • “Chasing Coral” — Scientists and divers embark on a journey to discover why the coral reefs are dying. Documentaries about the small wonders of the world: • “Dancing with the Birds” — Birds of paradise show off their most impressive courtship moves in a colorful display of feathers. • “Fantastic Fungi” — A visually stunning take on how fungi can heal and sustain life on Earth, narrated by Brie Larson. • “My Octopus Teacher” — Follows the
unique bond between diver Craig Foster and a curious young octopus over months of visits to her den. • “Life in Color with David Attenborough” — A three-part series showing the captivating colors animals use to survive and thrive. • “Animal” (2022) — A docuseries following the creatures of the Earth in their natural habitats, narrated by celebrity guests like Pedro Pascal and Rebel Wilson. Movies about the apocalypse: • “2012” — During a series of catastrophic natural disasters, a man and his family flee to the safety of a secret government fleet of arks meant to save the elite. • “The Day After Tomorrow” — A climatologist tries to find his son and his friend as a global superstorm overtakes the world. Movies about living after the apocalypse: • “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008) — An alien and his robot counterpart are sent to Earth to decide if humanity is worthy of living on the planet. • “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) — In a world where water and gasoline are scarce, a warrior liberates the fives wives of a tyrannical warlord and teams up with another former captive to bring them to freedom. • “Snowpiercer” (2013) — During a manmade ice age, the last remnants of humanity live on a train organized by social class, where the richest live in luxury and the poorest in squalor under armed guard. • “Io” — The Earth’s atmosphere is toxic, @thewesternhowl
and most people now live in a space station near one of the moons of Jupiter, but a scientist who stayed behind hopes to cleanse the air and make Earth livable again. Movies about corporate greed, evil intentions and the earth: • “Avatar” (2009) — On an alien moon, a marine tasked with infiltrating the indeginous population to uncover their mineable resources must question whether he is fighting on the right side. • “Okja” — A young girl must embark on a mission to save her genetically engineered super pig best friend, who was repossessed by the company that created her to boost the food industry. • “Kingsman: The Secret Service” — A new recruit to a secret spy organization must stop a billionaire from launching his plot to end climate change by killing everyone on the planet he deems unworthy. Animated movies about saving the planet: • “Wall-E” — A lonely waste allocation robot living alone on Earth falls in love with a probe sent by humans living in space, who leads him to the adventure of a lifetime. • “The Lorax” — After happening upon a stranger while searching for a sapling, the object of his crush’s desires, a boy listens to his tale of greed that destroyed nature. • “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” — When human deforestation and those who thrive on it threaten a fairy’s homeland, she and her human friend must work together to stop them.
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Entertainment
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In five, four, three, two… Paramount+ iCarly’s season two continues to look at life from the lens of adulthood, as well as welcomes back familiar faces
Graphic by Rylie Horrall
Mirella Barrera-Betancourt Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu This article contains minor spoilers for season two of iCarly. The reboot of the beloved Nickelodeon children’s series, iCarly, has returned for a second season with a release of three new episodes. AvailableReleased for streaming on Paramount+ on April 8, iCarly’s new season will pick up right where season one left off, with Carly trying to adjust to adulthood while consequently working to gain traction for her revived web channel. While the first season was a hit amongst many fans of the early show, many fans were left with the question on whether season two2 will be just as notable. Here is everything to know about the three recent episodes of the iCarly revival. Episode 1: “iGuess Everyone Just
Hates Me Now,” tackles the topic of “cancel culture” and the struggles female influencers and creators often encounter juggling their love life and careers. Viewers also get to see some of the old “Creddie” action present in the first series of iCarly in this episode, as Carly tries — and fails — to make viewers like her again. Thanks to the topic and message this episode covers, it easily became my favorite episode from the season so far, with seven more to go. Episode 2: In “iObject Lewbert”, the iCarly gang’s escapades as children come to bite them back in the butt in the form of archnemesis and doorman Lewbert. Not going to lie, as someone who grew up watching the original iCarly show, it felt refreshing to see
the castadults finally facerealizing the consequences of their actions. This episode also features my favorite line of the entire season so far: “What kind of millennial hell is this.” I’m using that from now on whenever something mildly inconvenient happens to me. Episode 3: “i’M Wild and Crazy” has Carly attempting to keep up with the adventures of her eccentric best friend, Harper, in order to be less “boring.” I’m not saying I relate to Carly, but I relate to Carly. How many of us have tried to step out of our comfort zone in order to prove someone else wrong? While this episode wasn’t my favorite from the current bunch, it was entertaining and relatable. The new season will also feature Paul, played by Josh Peck, as Carly’s
manager for the iCarly web series. It will also allegedly reintroduce the beloved character of T-Bo, the quirky Groovy Smoothie manager in future episodes, according to teasers from Miranda Cosgrove. iCarly season 2 has a total of 10 episodes, with new episodes premiering weekly on Fridays. Don’t miss out. So far, it’s an 8/10.
Courteous concert-going
Tips for concert etiquette Mikayla Coleman Managing Editor howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu Photo by Julianna Tinker
The key components of a good concert experience include awareness and hydration.
Recently I attended two live shows back to back. I enjoyed both artists to the same extent, but each concert experience was distinct based upon the characters I was surrounded by. The crowd can make or break the concert experience. Use these tips to ensure that everyone has a fulfilling time seeing their favorite artists.
Get to know people that are close. People are going to bump into one another. But since pushing and bumping into each other is inevitable, getting to know the people that are near can help ease the tension. Saying something before the concert starts like “I just want you to know that if I run into you, it is not deliberate and I am sorry” can be a good way to make sure that everyone nearby is on the same page. Asking where people are from, what their names are or how they feel about the performance can break the ice and make those interactions less awkward. At the second concert I attended, my friend
and I were able to make friends with those who were around us and it was a major improvement.
Take care of one another. The venue of the first concert was very poorly ventilated, which made the crowd an even more dangerous place to be. Concert-goers were passing out before the opener even played. Eventually the performing band asked for water bottles to be handed out to the crowd, but that does not always happen. Being aware of the state of people nearby is crucial in these types of settings. Concerts are as mentally and physically exhausting as they are incredible. When someone needs water or medical assistance, the crowd needs to alert the right authorities and make room so that person is able to get help as quickly as possible. A simple “Are you doing okay?” to check in usually does the trick. Think about the experience of others. Everyone loves to scream their favorite songs when they are
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being performed live. People also like to get videos of specific songs to be able to watch back later. If one is screaming louder than the performer, perhaps it is time to take a second to adjust the volume of their voice. This doesn’t mean that everyone should be quiet at all times or not enjoy themselves, but it is something to be aware of. The second concert was a better experience for me on almost all levels, except there was a person behind me who was screaming along to every song so loudly that my phone only picked up their voice instead of the actual performer, which was extremely disappointing. At the first concert, a person in front of me decided they were going to record the entirety of every single song on their phone, blocking the view of those behind us. I understand taking strategic videos so that there is something to look back on, but remember, these are live events and the whole point of going is to be able to live the experience, not see the entire thing through a phone.
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News
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CAMPUS CANDIDATES Camille Lenning Entertainment Editor | howlentertainment@wou.edu
Get involved in campus politics with this year’s round of student government elections
Gretchen Sims Contributor | gsims20@mail.wou.edu
Spring term is election season for the Associated Students of Western Oregon University — , Western’s student government. Campaign Wweek began on Monday, April 18 with a “meet the candidate” event in the Werner University Center Summit room. On Thursday, April 21, there will be a candidate forum on Zoom at 5 p.m. Students will be able to vote starting April 25 until April 29 on Presence, through their Student Portal. In preparation for Campaign Week, candidates were asked why they decided to run and what they plan to do if elected, find their answers below:
Candidates for ASWOU President:
Candidates for ASWOU Vice President:
Gheraldy Bobadilla-Cruz (he/him/his/el) Major: education Current class standing: sophomore
Kodee Harwood (she/her/hers) Major: communication studies Current class standing: junior
Hunter Hall (he/him/his) Major: mathematics Current class standing: senior
Owen Hubers (he/him/his) Major: business Current class standing: junior
A current ASWOU Senator, Cruz has wanted to run for President since he arrived at Western, and wants to give a voice to all students. “I’m running for ASWOU President because I believe (Western) is at a pivotal turning point when considering its future. I want to come in and work alongside our new President to help (Western) flourish in this new era… I will make sure that more support is given to all clubs and organizations here on campus. I will ensure that students are being fully appreciated and acknowledged for all the work they do to make (Western) a campus full of diversity and inclusion. It’s time to hold (Western) responsible as an institution to follow through and act on its statements of being a welcoming campus for all. It’s time to make (Western) more than just a school.”
Harwood has been interested in ASWOU since 2019, and hopes to bring clubs back in full force, while also working to improve accessibility. “I want to improve campus and campus culture. … There’s always room for improvement and I’d like to start improving (Western) and make students feel safe on campus and proud that they go to (Western). … If I get elected ASWOU president my office will always be open to any student(s) that have concerns or questions and I will try my best to make change happen and try to support you as best I can.”
As a student government veteran, Hall aims to use his skills to amplify student voices, with an emphasis on safety. “I’m running for ASWOU Vice President for a couple of reasons. The first and most important to me is I want to find ways to improve the safety of our campus. I want to do this while also addressing accessibility issues that students face here. … I have (four) years of experience within student government where I’ve worked in various leadership positions. During that time I have been able to learn a lot about what it means to be the student voice. I plan to use my experience to act as that bridge that connects the (Western) staff and students (together).”
Passionate about club engagement, Hubers (pictured left) hopes to connect students through Discord and improve event planning. “I want voters to know that I am listening to literally everything they say and will work my very hardest to make sure college life at (Western) is the best it can possibly be. I will use every last resource we have to help students here thrive. I will always want to and be willing to talk with any student or anybody at all who is willing to provide me with feedback. I will do the best I can to work with the various members of ASWOU and (Western) as a community. I will do my best … to solve current or future problems and implement new resources or improve existing resources.” Photos courtesy of candidates
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Candidate for Senate President: Connor Goehring (he/him/his) Major: ASL studies and education Current class standing: junior As Residence Hall Association President, Goehring aims to use his leadership skills to improve communication and make campus better for students. “There is so much inequity here at (Western) and I don’t plan on trying to fix the broken system we have in place right now, but to rewrite the whole system entirely to make a better, working system that supports our students. … I’m qualified to make a difference and be the advocate you need to make (Western) a safe and inclusive environment for the (campus’s) diverse community.”
Candidate for Senate: Samy Reyes (he/him/his) Major: business Current class standing: sophomore As a new student at Western, Reyes hopes to use the Senate position to gain experience in student government. “I would like to be further involved in our school and the community of our students. I believe it is a civic responsibility as students to be engaged and involved in our school’s topics and issues. I seek to hear student’s thoughts and concerns on our campus, as I am going to be a voice that represents them. I run for the senate not only to gain experience, but to work towards new policies that will benefit the interests of our fellow students.”
Candidate for Judicial Administrator: Coral Davis (she/they) Major: education Current class standing: first-year A PLUS Team member and WOU Ambassador, Davis is excited to bring leadership experience to ASWOU and work with the Justices. “My goal for when I am elected for Judicial Administrator is to create a more inclusive campus. I feel that accommodations for students are not being followed through. I also want to try and bring more awareness to all of the clubs that we have on campus as well as bring light to all (of) what our university has to offer to its new and current students.”
Candidate for Incidental Fee Committee Member: Dennis Long (he/him/his) Major: information systems Current class standing: senior As an IFC Chair, Long was able to work on the IFC Funded Areas web page, allowing anyone to see who received funding and why. “I hope to help organize a better training schedule so that new IFC members can feel prepared to make these difficult decisions. There are changes to be made in the bylaws to make this process smoother, and I hope to actively engage in supporting the future of IFC and (Western)! After serving as IFC Chair this year, I discovered that there were many different student voices feeling left out or ignored. As the IFC, we did what we could to ensure that those voices were heard through anonymous forms and Open Hearings. I did my best to reach out to students and tried to forward their feedback to IFC.” @thewesternhowl
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Lifestyle
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Rating Territory Restaurant This Independence restaurant experience is worth the price Mollie Herron | News Editor | howlnews@wou.edu
Territory Restaurant is located on the first floor of the Independence Hotel in Independence, Oregon. From the restaurant there is a clear view of the Willamette River with a walking path frequented by local dog walkers. The atrium seating offered allows for patrons to enjoy the outdoors without experiencing the cold weather that so often dampens outdoor dining in Oregon. Be wary of sitting directly in the sun because the atrium has a greenhouse effect which can make it challenging to eat warmer meals. The signature cocktail selection offered with the normal lunch and dinner menu, while only containing six drinks, provided great variety. The Smoked Mezcal Paloma, Diablitos Margarita and Sadie’s Serrano Lemondrop provide a spicy hit for those looking for more of a punch from their drinks. The Bees Knees is a refreshing lavender lemonade
Photo by Mollie Herron
Territory focuses on using fresh, local ingredients to create elevated comfort food.
drink that reminds one of summer, despite the wind chill many would experience when they venture outside. The Elderflower Old Fashioned was a nice, subtle twist on a clear classic. The slight fruity and floral taste of the elderflower makes this cocktail more
of an outdoor sipping drink as opposed to the sitting-in-a-dinghy-bar type of drink. The lunch and dinner menu provides many options for vegetarian patrons and the opportunity to add meat to dishes not already containing it. One
of the vegetarian options I ordered was the Cauliflower and Serrano Sandwich. The ratio of cauliflower and peppers to bread was perfect, but was somewhat lacking when it came to flavor. I felt as though I couldn’t quite taste the complete flavor profile as it wasn’t strong enough to fully come through. The sandwiches are all served on thick slices of bread that is toasted to perfection, preventing them from getting soggy. Most are served with a side of fries that were crispy on the outside, making it almost impossible to stop eating them. One of the cheapest meals on the menu, the grilled cheese and tomato soup, was priced at $10 but provided all the quality of a pricey meal despite its simplicity. The grilled cheese had a nice crisp surface so as to not overwhelm the eater with the gooey melted cheese center. They have recently added a corn and potato chowder to the menu which,
Picnic perfection
Photo by Jude Bokovoy
Continued on back
Riverview Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu
Trader Joe’s has a variety of snacks perfect for picnicking.
Now that the sun is shining over Oregon once again, it is the perfect time to go on a picnic. Picnics allow one to breathe in fresh air, get creative with their meals and share it with friends or a view. Whether picnicking alone or with company, Riverview Park in Independence is the perfect picnic place. They provide many places to sit such as amphitheater seating, grass lawn and benches looking over the Willamette River. The Riverview Park provides public wifi, allowing students to be able to work
on homework while enjoying the outdoors. When packing a picnic, the options are endless. Perhaps the best part about picnicking is how the food can be specifically catered for personal preferences. Nothing is off limits. Fruit, sandwiches, drinks and snacks are all great choices. Below are two recipes that keep well for any picnic. PESTO TURKEY AVOCADO SANDWICH Start to finish: 5 minutes Yields: 1 serving
2 slices of nuts and seeds bread 1 leaf of romaine lettuce 3 slices of oven roasted turkey 1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese ½ an avocado, mashed ½ teaspoon of salt ½ teaspoon of pepper 1 ½ tablespoons of pesto ½ tablespoon of mayonnaise, optional On one slice spread mashed avocado, season with salt and pepper. On the other slice of bread spread pesto and mayonnaise. Add smoked turkey, cheese and romaine lettuce.
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Place the first slice of bread on top. Slice in half and package appropriately. BANANA SUSHI Start to finish: 5 minutes Yields: 2 servings 1 banana, sliced 3 tablespoons of extra crunchy peanut butter 1 tablespoon honey, optional Place banana slices in a sealable container. Add scoops of peanut butter to each slice. Drizzle with honey. Serve with chopsticks.
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Lifestyle
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Biking for
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Photo by Jude Bokovoy
beginners How to ease into mountain biking Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu Mountain biking is one of the many outdoor activities that Oregon has to offer. It makes people look forward to being outdoors, searching for new trails and participating in a good workout. For some, mountain biking can seem intimidating. This article provides three trails near campus to ease one into the sport. Dallas’ Creek Trail is surrounded by a river, trees and wildlife while also
Having a water bottle holder on a bike is a game changer.
being paved. This gives the feeling of mountain biking without obstacles such as roots, rocks and hills. Since the trail can be accessed through a safe neighborhood, it can be used while the sun sets. The McDonald-Dunn Forest in Corvallis offers a variety of open trails that are perfect for beginners. The smooth trails allow people to adjust to the feeling of biking on dirt for the
first time. This also allows beginners to work on switching gears on their bikes as they go up hills. While riding on these beautiful trails, people can take pit stops or even turn around when needed because of the wide paths. Last is the Calloway Trail in the McDonald Research Forest Oak Creek Access, which is for bikers that are ready to take on a more challenging trail. The narrow path is enclosed by
greenery, has sharp turns, roots, hills and is a whole lot of fun. Bikers can speed though the trail while going across bridges and avoiding obstacles. There are many other trails located in the same area when one feels ready to level up. After a ride, stop across the street at Cookie Binge for a post-ride sweet treat. They offer a variety of cookies, milkshakes, ice cream and more, perfect to fuel up a hungry biker.
Sustainable students How sustainability can also be convenient for students Mollie Herron |News Editor | howlnews@wou.edu Single use plastics and unnecessary packaging are creating huge problems for our planet. Humans are creating more trash than ever and polluting more than the world can handle. While it may seem like too big of a problem at this point to make a difference as an individual, even one small choice can lead to a cleaner, greener future. As a student, especially as one who lives a busy lifestyle, it can be difficult to figure out ways to make sustainable choices. Most of the choices made as students focus on convenience over sustainability. Here are some simple changes that can be implemented in life in an effort to finally put the earth first. Use a reusable water bottle. A reusable water bottle can cost more than expected, but it will be worth it when the use of plastic water bottles is eventually eliminated. It also has the benefit of keeping water cold all day if one of the higher end brands, like Hydro Flask or Yeti, is used.
Photo by Caitlin Quirk
Focus on small simple changes that are easily attainable before making the big moves for a more sustainable lifestyle.
Skip the chips and grab fruit. Making the choice to choose fruit or vegetables over a packaged good has the benefit of reducing waste and encouraging healthier eating habits. Students tend to grab packaged food for convenience, but apples, bananas and oranges have their own natural packaging.
Bring a tote bag to the store. A tote bag is perfect for grocery shopping, carrying books and everyday use because they usually come in a large range of sizes and are easy to carry. This easy change eliminates the hoarding of plastic bags that almost every household partakes in. Brew coffee at home. Going to
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a local coffee stand is a nice way to treat yourself every once in a while, but doing that every day can become a problem for the earth and the bank. By making coffee at home, single use plastic cups will be used less, and it will be overall cheaper for a student who is trying to save money. Walk to class. It’s tempting to drive to class when it’s raining, but unless home is more than a few blocks away, don’t drive to campus. The time saved is usually only around three minutes and over time the pollution outweighs those three minutes. It also is barely affordable to drive everywhere with the way the price of gas rising so significantly in the past couple of months. Utilize what you already have. People tend to collect things over time and forget they own them. This leads to the purchasing of unnecessary items when something you already own could do the job. The most sustainable things are the items you already own.
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Sports
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IM in to get fit
Photo by James Fowlkes
Find out what intramural sports are being offered during spring term
James Fowlkes | Freelancer | jfowlkes18@mail.wou.edu IMLeagues, available on desktop, laptop or mobile devices, allows students access to a multitude of fitness classes and intramural sports activities that they can sign up for. When COVID-19 was surging around campus — and all over the world — students were required to sign up for facility and fitness class reservations. Before entering, students had to agree to wear a face mask and maintain physical and social distance while getting a workout in. With the mask mandate being lifted, signing up for facility use is no longer required, but students will still have to sign up for other fitness activities if they’re planning on participating.
IMLeagues also provides a list of intramural sports and drop-in activities available for all members. This spring term offers soccer, corn hole, volleyball, softball or home run derby, golf and tennis. Drop-in activities available for sign-up are volleyball, table tennis, basketball and futsal. Schedule-wise, basketball and futsal are held Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., and volleyball and table tennis are held Thursday nights at the same time at the Health and Wellness Center. To get set up on IMLeagues, students have to create an account using their student email address. One can find a dropin or fitness activity within the intramurals
Social distancing policies are still in place for all sports and activities.
section, sign up and agree to the terms and conditions. Overall, it is a simple process. IMLeagues has previously offered virtual or esport activities such as Rocket League and Super Smash
Bros. 1v1 tournaments. As far as this spring term, there’s no news on when or what virtual competitions will take place, but until then there are drop-in intramurals and fitness classes on IMLeagues.
New times for fitness The Health and Wellness Center releases fitness schedule for spring James Fowlkes | Freelancer | jfowlkes18@mail.wou.edu
The fitness schedule for spring term 2022 is now active at Western’s Health and Wellness Center. Available fitness classes vary from yoga, cardio, spin, pilates to full body, lower body, paddle board yoga and more. Most fitness classes range from 45 – 50 minutes, which is just enough time to get a good workout — whether one wants to focus on cardio, core, mind or full body. To sign up for classes, use the IMLeagues app to reserve a place in a class. Make sure to bring a water bottle and a sweat towel — it’ll come in handy. The fitness schedule for spring 2022 is presented as planned: Monday: Detox Yoga: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Cardio: Indoor Track from 4:30 – 5:20 p.m. Spin: HWC room 201 from 5:10 – 6 p.m. Pilates: HWC room 201 from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. Tuesday: Pilates 101: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Yoga: HWC room 201 from 4:30 – 5:20 p.m. 5k Social: Outdoors from 5:10 – 6 p.m. Full Body: HWC room 201 from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. Wednesday: Pilates HIIT: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Pilates: HWC room 201 from 5:10 – 6 p.m. Spin: HWC room 201 from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. Thursday: Lower Body Barre: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
Photo by James Fowlkes
Sign-ups are available through the IMLeagues app or website.
Women Lift Intro: HWC room 201 from 4:30 – 5:20 p.m. Yoga: HWC room 201 from 5:30 – 6:20 p.m. Paddle board Yoga: Pool from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. Friday: Spin: HWC room 201 from 12 – 12:45 p.m. New operating hours for the Health and Wellness Center facility are also available, along with new hours for the Aquatic Center and the wall climbing area. Health and Wellness Center: Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. @thewesternhowl
Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday from 12 – 5 p.m. Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m. Aquatic Center: Monday – Wednesday from 2:30 – 3:50 p.m. and 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday from 2:30 – 3:50 p.m. and 7:40 – 9:30 p.m. Saturday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Wall Climbing: Monday – Thursday from 4 – 9 p.m. Saturday from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
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Daytona
Sports
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domination
Analyzing the National Cheer Association’s College Daytona performances from Navarro and Trinity Valley Jude Bokovoy | Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu
This article contains spoilers for competition results and season two of “Cheer.” Navarro cheer team is one of the most well known collegiate cheerleading teams in the U.S. Navarro can be easily recognized by their sparkly red and black uniforms, incredible stunting abilities and team spirit. In 2020, Netflix released a documentary about Navarro’s road to reach the National Cheerleaders Association National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, called “Cheer.” The show and the team’s execution of their routine was a major success. Navarro was named the 2019 National Champion in Daytona’s advanced large coed junior college division. Daytona is NCA’s Collegiate Dance and Cheer Competition. To be able to participate in Daytona, each team needs to qualify by either getting bid on at an NCA camp or approved by sending in a video. Cheerleading teams come from all over the country to experience and compete in the notorious Daytona. This January, the second season of “Cheer” was released that included their rivals, Trinity Valley Community College. Throughout the season, they went back and forth showing how each team prepared for Daytona, as well as the ups and downs throughout the season. Both teams were incredibly talented and had viewers on their toes, wondering who was going to be the 2021 National Champions. TVCC ended up placing first, stealing Navarro’s national title. Although both of these teams are located in Texas, they couldn’t be more different. Days before Daytona, many competing teams performed a showcase of their
Photo courtesy of Instagram, @monicaaldama
Navarro took home the trophy once again.
routines for their friends, families and fans. At TVCC’s Daytona showcase, the camera crew made it clear that they were only focused on certain individuals, by exclusively filming certain cheerleaders as they were executing their skills. Their routine was extremely tumble heavy leaving viewers in awe, however it seemed they were more focused on the individual spotlight rather than working as a team. It didn’t go unnoticed that many of them did not smile during the duration of their performance. The Navarro routine was teambased. Everyone had a smile on their face and they were energetic while performing their fluid
routine. Navarro’s baskets and transitions were jaw dropping. As always, their choreography lit up the mat. What these two teams had in common were the high magnitude of tumbling, stunts and ambition. This year TVCC decided to enter into the advanced small coed division, meaning that they did not end up competing against Navarro. During the weekend of April 6 – 10, NCA’s Daytona provided each team two days to perform their routine twice in hopes of taking home a trophy. Throughout TVCC’s day one performance, their tumbling was clean but the stunts were not.
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There were many shaky dismounts, two stunts needed to be saved and the center group for their main pyramid fell. TVCC made a comeback on day two; their team jump combo was level throughout the team, the baskets were very high and the center tumbler had lots of energy. Unfortunately in the same middle stunt group, the flyer slipped during the pyramid. While making their final exit on day two, each member of the team did actions towards the crowd of an “I’m the best” mentality, iconic of the individualistic mindset that is rampant in TVCC. On the other hand, Navarro blew it out of the park for both days’ performances. On day one, their beginning tumbling sequences were intense, all of their pyramids were executed well and included elaborate transitional stunts. On day two, all of their one-man stunts were solid; they nailed their first jump combo of a toe touch to a b-twist and they performed choreography with enthusiasm. The only notable flaw from Navarro was during one of their pyramids in which well known athlete Gabbi Butler slipped but regained balance while doing the choreography. When Navarro left the mat on day one and two they all hugged each other and exited as a supportive team. At the end of the day, both TVCC and Navarro executed their intense routines very well. Both included elaborate baskets, jump combinations, tumbling and pyramids; because of their determination and skill Navarro and TVCC went home as the 2022 National Champion for their respective divisions.
10 Humor/Opinion The Western Howl
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 wou.edu/westernhowl
THIS WEEK
IN COMPLETELY MADE UP
HOROSCOPES Compiled by The Western Howl staff
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
i’m not even learning anything anymore what am I doing here
brb gonna…not be here
Letting other people have the spotlight doesn’t mean you’re completely off stage.
My favorite time of day is when I get to go to bed
3/21–4/19
4/20–5/20
5/21–6/20
6/21–7/22
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
el gato :’((((( el gato :-(((((
Buy yourself some flowers :)
there’s something special about the shame of buying off-brand
Why don’t you paint a little picture for yourself?
7/23–8/22
8/23–9/22
9/23–10/22
10/23–11/21
SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
dead inside but still down to party
No think.
Get a tattoo, you deserve it
11/22–12/21
12/22–1/19
Aggressively helpful.... Not bossy.
1/20–2/18
2/19–3/20
Mickey Mouse monopoly
The company that brought you the “happiest place on Earth” is worse than you thought Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor | howlentertainment@wou.edu We’ve all enjoyed a Disney movie or two. How could we not? They own everything from Star Wars to Marvel to Pixar, and cornered the market on fairytale princesses. Disney is everywhere, and that’s the problem. The company has faced numerous controversies since its founding in 1923 by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney. Allegations of perpetuating harmful stereotypes, sexism and even plagiarism have plagued the company for decades. Most recently, the actions of the company’s CEO, Bob Chapek, in the case of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act has thrown the company into further scandal.
The bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by opponents, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28. If it remains unchallenged until July 1, it will ban elementary classrooms from having discussions about LGBTQ+ issues and gender expression. Disney World dominates Florida’s economy by bringing in billions per year in tourism, so the corporation’s political power is unmatched in the state. With this in mind, supporters of the Disney Company expected to hear a denouncement of the bill when it passed in the Florida Senate on March 8. Disney was vocal about
making strides in producing more diverse entertainment, so surely they would disapprove of this seemingly anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Yet the company made no public response, and only passed internal memos to shareholders informing them of the situation. That was, at least, until public outcry forced their hand. On March 11, Chapek released a statement apologizing for their silence, saying he and the company now understood the detrimental effects the bill could have, and that they were “pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.”
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Photo by Mikayla Coleman
Disney has created many iconic characters over the decades, but the company is far less cute and cuddly. Continued on back
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
The Western Howl
Abby’s House
wou.edu/westernhowl
Bandanas for justice
11
The Bandana Project at Western works to raise awareness about workplace sexual violence against farmworker women Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu
Photo by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt
Abby’s House honored the Bandana Project by setting out white bandanas.
Content warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault. April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and how to prevent it. Sexual Assault Awareness Month gave rise to the Bandana Project, a public awareness campaign aimed to address the issue of workplace sexual assault in the United States, particularly among farmworker women. Recently, Western joined
Abby’s House is making WAIVs Content warning: this article mentions sexual assault. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault by means of physical force, violence or incapacitation — 23% of undergraduate female identifying persons and 6.8% of undergraduate male identifying persons. These statistics are understandably alarming. Fortunately, Abby’s House is extremely aware of the critical need to push back against interpersonal violence. The idea for the Wolves Against Interpersonal Violence committee began as a grant requirement during the 2010 school year. Although funding was renewed several times, it eventually dissolved in 2019. After that brief pause, Western staff expressed interest in continuing the program, which was previously known as the Campus Against Sexual Assault committee. Although a finite list of objectives for WAIV has not yet been cultivated, Kristen Perry, Director of Abby’s House, envisions several for WAIV’s future. “Personally, I’ve worked (in programs similar to this) at a few different campuses. I’ve seen things that work, and I’ve seen things that don’t work. My dream is to have everyone — across campus — on the same page on what prevention and education we offer, what training we offer, what our victim services are, how we can respond and what the conduct case management process is,” Perry stated. “But I can’t
Continued on back
Abby’s House pushing to renew WOU CASA as WAIV Gretchen Sims Freelancer | gsims20@mail.wou.edu
do that alone, I’m glad that the WAIV committee is here to help move along those types of goals — those dreams.” Right now, many individuals are working together to make Perry’s visions come true. The WAIV committee currently includes individuals who specialize in conduct and Title IX, individuals from Residential Education, Student Health and Counseling, Public Safety, Abby’s House and select leadership members. At current meetings, the committee discusses what is currently being done across campus to prevent interpersonal violence and what could be done to improve the experiences of survivors. In the revised and finalized version of WAIV, the experts and committed people that compose WAIV will be split into three subcommittees. The first will deal with prevention and education which will focus on consent education that is required for students. This committee will also focus on bystander intervention and other education that is offered across campus. The second subcommittee will focus on policy. It will revise policies, ensure compliance and also educate the campus on some policies that they need to be aware of — such as Title IX and the Clery Act. The final subcommittee will be a response committee — training faculty and staff on what to do if a student discloses to them. This subcommittee will also focus on the confidential advocacy offered in Abby’s House, qualified Sexual Assault Nurse @thewesternhowl
universities across the country in raising awareness to protect farmworker women. Throughout the week of April 11 – 15, Abby’s House set out white bandanas for students and faculty to decorate freely with powerful messages and words of love and encouragement. Maria Marquez, Peer Educator at Abby’s House, was in charge of bringing the Bandana Project to Western. “As a current member of the
Photo by Gretchen Sims
Abby’s House has confidential advocate services for those seeking support.
Examiner exams offered at SHCC and how Title IX investigations are performed. Sometime in the near future, Abby’s House will be searching for passionate students to sit on committees and help assist with the response to SA on campus. If interested, keep an eye out for more information or reach out to Kristen Perry or Abby’s House directly. Abby’s House has two confidential advocates who can meet with students who have been affected by interpersonal violence such as sexual assault, dating violence, harassment or stalking. They can offer emotional support, reporting options, medical assistance, financial support, academic assistance, support around building coping skills and referrals to other resources both on and off campus.
12 Tail-End
The Western Howl
Disney
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 wou.edu/westernhowl
Continued from page 10
Disney so far has kept up with that promise. However, their existing contributions to the Florida GOP this quarter, totaling $125,000, remain as a glaring reminder that Chapek and the Disney Company seem to only adhere to progressive values when they’re forced to. Similarly, in 2020, the same year they released such works as “Out” — a short film about a boy coming out to his parents — individuals within Disney donated $10,500,030 to the America First Action super PAC, which backed the Donald Trump campaign in the election. While the company made donations to Democratic campaigns as well, the amount was far less substantial. The fact that Disney higher ups were funding these Republican campaigns and interest groups at all in the first place is telling of where the company
Abby’s House Continued from page 11
really stands. While they are slowly introducing diverse characters in their shows and movies, they support politicians who intend to limit how LGBTQ+ people are represented in real life. It’s important to remain informed of the decisions the Disney Company makes. They play a bigger role in our lives than many realize. Their political contributions alone can greatly affect who we see on the ballot, and their power in Florida, a prominent battleground state, cannot be ignored. That being said, you are not a bad person if you watch Disney movies. What the multi-billion dollar corporation does with their money isn’t your fault. They have a monopoly on entertainment, and we as consumers should not be faulted for existing in the system they created.
Photo by Julianna Tinker
Dreamers community on our WOU campus, I was thrilled to organize and welcome the Bandana Project,” said Marquez. “My purpose was to bring awareness to our marginalized communities and allow their voices to be heard.” The Bandana Project was created back in 2007 by Mónica Ramírez when she was directing Esperanza: The Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Ramírez later founded Justice for Migrant Women, a stand-alone non profit organization now leading the Bandana Project. Workplace sexual harrassment has long been an issue for farmworker women in the agricultural community. The white bandana first became a figure against sexual harrassment when farmworker women began wearing them to protect themselves against violence and harrassment in the fields. Today, they serve as a symbol of protest. On why the Bandana Project
is such an important project to commemorate, Marquez said, “WOU is in the early stages of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. I believe that it is important to consider our large population of undocumented and (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students on campus to discuss prominent and on going issues that they have to (endure). … Abby’s House is here to celebrate, voice, and support women who have overcome such challenges.” Abby’s House is a constant advocate for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They will also be hosting Denim Day on April 27, an event created to show support to the victims of sexual assault who were told they were at fault for wearing what they did. Demin Day sends the message that anyone can experience sexual harrassment or assault regardless of what they were wearing. To learn more about the Bandana Project, visit justiceforwomen.org.
Territory Continued from page 6
while delicious and perfectly portioned, left me feeling way too full at the end of my meal when served with a sandwich. It could also be my fault for trying to finish all of my food. On the higher end of the price scale is the Northern Salmon served on a bed of lentils with bacon and shimeji mushrooms. The variety of texture creates a wonderful eating experience. The salmon is cooked perfectly flakey and the lentils provide more substance to make it filling. A sweet and nutty flavor is added by the applewood bacon and mushrooms, bringing variety to a usually plain meal. Pictured are the drinks: the Bees Knees and the Elderflower Old Fashioned.
The wait staff is what really made the experience worth it. They were friendly and cracked jokes, though not too many to annoy you. I dined in on two occasions; one being a party of eight and the other a party of three. While not planning to split the check, our lovely waitress split it eight ways without us asking, which was a pleasant and greatly appreciated surprise. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a nice meal with friends and family, or just to grab a drink, Territory is the perfect place. Overall, quality exceeds the expectations set by prices. 9/10 Cover photo by Rylie Horrall
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