October, VOL. 31 ISSUE 3
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:
How Lindsey Luis represents Latinx power
2 OCTOBER 2020
r a g u o C n a V TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Baumann
Social Get
/TheVanCougar @thevancougar @thevancougar
WEBSITE MANAGER Austin Cari
MANAGING EDITOR ADVERTISING Brody Voge MANAGER Samantha Deshazer LAYOUT EDITOR Betsy Hanrahan REPORTER Tessa Hensley COPY EDITOR Olivia Eldredge REPORTER LeeLee Parr PHOTOGRAPHER David Priymak
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The VanCougar, a student-run newsmagazine, informs and engages the WSU Vancouver community while practicing the highest standards of timely, ethical journalism.
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on the
Cover
Lindsey Luis, sophomore majoring in social sciences, shares how she celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. (David Priymak / The VanCougar)
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Horror novel recommendations
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6 Student evacuations How Lindsey LUIS 8 represents Latinx power 10
‘Quarantine 15’: Is there truth behind the stigma?
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WSUV introduces Employment Engagement Coordinator
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CouGar Bites: Tricks, treats and sweets
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4 OCTOBER 2020
Horror novels that bring thrills and chills Emily Baumann | Editor-in-Chief Olivia Eldredge | Copy Editor It’s that time again when autumn rolls around and the air begins to turn bone-chillingly cold. Spirited
with fear-inspiring festivities, Halloween is the perfect holiday to enjoy your heart out with all things horror. With this in mind, The VanCougar’s staff have decided to share their favorite horror novels to make the most out of this year’s spookiest season.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818) Mary Shelley is a master of gothic horror. In “Frankenstein”, she offers a cautionary tale about manipulating the extents of science and life itself. Contrary to popular belief, Victor Frankenstein isn’t a giant, looming green monster with bolts stuck in his head, nor is he an actual doctor. Rather, he is a young scientist who irresponsibly gives life to a creature of assembled human parts. The novel questions the principles of existence, what life means and how creation can be detrimental when held in the wrong hands.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939) Arguably one of the best murder mysteries of all time, “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie is a quick paced thriller that keeps you guessing every time you turn a page. The plot involves 10 strangers who are invited to an isolated island by an anonymous “U.N. Owen.” They are each accused of having a guilty secret, which results in one of them being dead by the end of the evening. With no help in sight, the guests are forced to find the murderer who is still on the island, a person hidden in plain sight among them.
The Institute by Stephen King (2019) Having a similar ambiance to King’s “It” novel, “The Institute” narrates the story of Luke Ellis, a 10-year-old boy who is kidnapped and brought to the Institute, a government establishment meant to subject children and use them for their telekinetic abilities. King’s novel brings a stellar atmosphere of enriching characters, a grim setting filled with eerie secrets and as quoted in the synopsis “a gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good versus evil in a world where the good guys don’t always win.”
Curling up with a good book is the best way to enjoy October festivities. So, grab yourself a warm blanket, light a pumpkin scented candle and immerse yourself in the world of horror.
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6 OCTOBER 2020
‘We did not expect this to happen’: Two WSU Vancouver students evacuate after extreme Oregon wildfires Tessa Hensley | Reporter In early September, the West Coast struck ablaze with wildfires. While rapidly spreading across the region, fires caused some WSU Vancouver students to evacuate, forcing them to pack up their belongings and leave their homes for good. Megan Tuthill, a sophomore majoring in digital technology and culture, lost her childhood home of 19 years to the riverside fire in Estacada, Oregon. “I was not necessarily shocked because we had been evacuated my freshman year of high school for a different fire, but we found out on Tuesday, and then shortly after that is when the whole city of Estacada was evacuated,” Tuthill explained. “I think Wednesday they officially got all [of the city] evacuated.”
Tuthill had moved out of her parent’s house prior to the evacuations, but stated her parents were evacuated Tuesday, and by Tuesday night, the house was gone. Neither Tuthill nor her parents could collect many belongings before evacuating but still managed to make it out safely. “My mom was the one evacuating. I was off on Tuesday, but I did not prioritize because I did not think [the house] would burn down because the last time we evacuated it did not burn down. By the time I realized it was burning, it was too late anyway,” Tuthill said. “My mom’s strategy was helping other people. She was prioritizing other people over our stuff because that is where her values were.” When asked what was lost in the fire, Tuthill explained what she will miss most of all are items of
mom’s strategy was helping “ My other people. She was prior-
itizing other people over our stuff because that is where her values were. MEGAN TUTHILL
”
Above: Photo of Megan as a baby with her grandmother, Margie, and her sister, Kendoll. Right: Megan’s dad in front of their home in 2007. (Photos courtesy of Megan Tuthill)
OCTOBER 2020 sentimental value. Tuthill stated after the house burned down, she realized just how special certain things were to her, but many items were not necessarily worth saving.
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“Definitely plan now, regardless if you do not think that it is going to happen to you. … Start planning, start an evacuation plan, start getting things together, set up an emergency kit, put it in your car [and] leave it in your car,” Chavarin said. “We did not expect this to happen and look where we are now. We are trying to get back to normal. We are still cleaning up the ash in our house, vacuuming and cleaning and trying to get things prepared and now we are thinking we need to plan ourselves.”
“Mainly a lot of memories. The stuff is not really important in the grand scheme of things. … I was looking through pictures and I saw things that I did not realize I loved. For instance, my dad made this stupid unicorn stained glass when he was in his 20s, and it was always hanging above the couch, [but] that is gone now,” Tuthill said. “Even if we did grab things that we needed, To help students plan for evacuations, the Office of those would not have been things that we would have Student Involvement created a video on how to assemwasted time grabbing in the grand scheme of things.” ble an evacuation kit. Cambri Shanahan, recreation coordinator of the OSI office, made it her mission to After being forced to experience evacuation, Tuthill help others be ready by researching necessities to inwants others to pause before placing blame, and instead clude in evacuation packs. think of those who have been affected by the fires. “I guess my biggest concern was, I wanted to be sen“I think people are really quick to place blame on the sitive to the fact that I have never had to evacuate my governor and organizations,” Tuthill said. “When we house. I do not know what that feels like. So you know, are losing our homes and stuff, I do not think, at least when I was making it, I really wanted to be sensitive to for me, it does not feel good to have people just jumping that,” Shanahan said. to blame. … We kind of want a moment of silence. … It may be different for other people, but that is at least my Shanahan is one to keep a survival pack in her car, but perspective on it.” she had not thought of putting together an evacuation plan or kit herself. She hopes her videos allow students Another WSU Vancouver student affected by the wild- to be more prepared in the future. fires is Daniel Chavarin, a junior psychology major. Also located in Estacada, Oregon, Chavarin and his “Just try to plan ahead and be prepared. I mean, the family were forced to evacuate, but his house did not more prepared we are, the better chances we are to burn down. Chavarin explained that Estacada went navigate any difficult situations. So you know, I hope from being on a level one alert, which prompts people that these little videos can get people thinking and to be ready for evacuation, to an alarming level three, even for myself,” Shanahan said. which means to evacuate the area as quickly as possible. Currently, wildfires in Estacada, Oregon, have con“We thought we at least had another day to pack up, get tainment of 25% and Oregon’s air quality is at a good things together. We did not expect the winds to pick up to moderate state, according to reports from The Orthat bad,” Chavarin explained. “Then, the next day, we egonian. For more information on how to plan for were at level two high alert. … Then an hour later it was evacuation, visit The City of Oregon’s Emergency like, okay, level three, go, and we just had to leave a lot Management page or view Shanahan’s evacuation video located on WSU Vancouver’s OSI Instagram page. of the stuff behind,” Chavarin said. Chavarin’s advice to others would be to prepare to leave as soon as an evacuation notice is initiated in your area. Chavarin stated he did not have a plan before the evacuation, and instantly had to prioritize saving irreplaceable items like his marriage certificate, his daughter’s baby items, pictures and other important documents.
Photographed the day of evacuation, Daniel Chavarin and his family were forced to leave their home. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Chavarin)
8 OCTOBER 2020
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:
How Lindsey Luis represents Latinx power
Olivia Eldredge | Copy Editor As the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation building at WSU Vancouver remains vacant and closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one student in particular, has kicked off the start by bringing it virtually back to life. While making a name for herself in the political field, educating others about Hispanic heritage and selling homemade sorbet straight from her home, Lindsey Luis is the example of an ultimate powerhouse. In addition to being CILA’s intercultural outreach and retention leader, Luis is a sophomore this year majoring in social sciences with a concentration in political science and criminal justice. Making it possible for students to connect over Zoom to attend various workshops and events, Luis offers a safe space for discourse about personal experiences and to bring together all people with different identities. Luis hosted her first workshop titled “Mexico-Centrism, what is it?” on Sept. 4, where she discussed various aspects of Latinx culture, Hispanic Heritage Month and what it means to appreciate all cultures in Latin America. One of the most prevalent topics discussed during the workshop was the proper use and dissemination of terms such as Latinx. “Latinx is a very new term that a lot of people have really wanted to take in and use more often. Particularly, I have seen younger people use it more often and more interchangeably because it is a gender-neutral term. The ‘x’ replaces the ‘o’ in Latino or Latina, with just an ‘x’ so you can be she, her, they, them, he, him without being misgendered,” Luis said. As for the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, Luis personally celebrates by advocating for events
that support Latinx culture as a whole, while spreading awareness about historically marginalized groups. “There is a lot of negativity in the world, but there is some positivity here and there, and many [Latinx achievements] are done by people who are oftentimes underrepresented or silenced. So, being able to uplift these voices is how I like to participate,” Luis said. Although Luis is busy facilitating workshops and actively supports CILA, she also discussed her involvement with politics and actively encourages others to have a voice with their vote. “I have immigrant parents, there is a lot of fear for our community, and that connects people as a whole. … [There’s] a lot of brutal and inhumane treatment that a lot of people were going through because of [the Trump] administration. So I felt kind of hopeless, but I realized [change] starts from home,” Luis said. Making the most of her political involvement, Luis has volunteered in voter registration drives, which are events that encourage people to register as voters, and take part in local or national elections. “Even in high school, I did a lot of voter registration drives. [I had] a green clipboard, just trying to get people to register to vote so they were able to vote, not just for national elections but also for little things at home. … I have always wanted to bring that awareness to people, allow people to have that opportunity, because, I knew for myself, my parents never told me to register to vote.”
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“...being
able to uplift these voices is how I like to par ticipate,
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- L I N D S E Y LU I S Lindsey Luis is a sophomore at WSU Vancouver, majoring in social sciences, and working in the Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation. (David Priymak / The VanCougar)
In her free time, Luis makes and sells sorbet using her family’s special recipe that has been passed down through generations. Although her family does not have an official business, she said her mother has wanted to open an ice cream shop in the future. “[The recipe] has been in my family since I was really small, and as I grew up my mom taught me how to make it. Now that I am older, she is like ‘okay, let us try to share it a little bit.’ It has been a 100 plus year tradition or so that we have on my mom’s side of the family, [but] right now it is not an official business,” Luis said. Luis said she is looking forward to what fall semester has in store and is excited to bring people together through virtual CILA events. The next workshop Luis is planning to host is a commemoration of first-generation college attendees on Nov. 6, which will involve a reception and keynote speaker. Additionally, CILA events are held every Friday for students to join their ongoing conversations about creating a safe space to promote equity, diversity and inclusion.
10 OCTOBER 2020
‘Quarantine 15’:
Is there truth behind the stigma? The Vancouver Clinic’s health services are partnered with WSU Vancouver’s Student Wellness Center, but students can also visit their physical location which resides in Salmon Creek. (David Priymak / The VanCougar)
Tessa Hensley | Reporter While a majority of people have been staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in physical activities has become a downward trend. The recently coined “Quarantine 15” phrase associated with COVID-19 has emerged as a way to describe significant weight gain occurring as a consequence of the pandemic. Students and health officials considered the hazardous effects that surround the phenomenon and shared their thoughts on how one can stay both physically and mentally healthy while addressing the stigma. Registered Nurse Deanna Hillstrom is head of staff in the medical affairs department for The Vancouver Clinic, and gives professional medical advice to the Vancouver community. When asked to comment on her knowledge of the “Quarantine 15” phenomenon, Hillstrom said she has seen patients who have experienced weight gain during the pandemic. “Based on what I have seen, there has been some weight gain among patients. A few feed into it, anxiety [and] fear of the unknown. There are not as many restaurants, so people use the drive-thru,” Hillstrom explained. Since a large portion of people have had to work remotely, Hillstrom explained there are more opportunities to gain weight because people at home tend to eat extra snacks during the day. Regarding issues associated with weight gain, she said there are quite a few serious health concerns to be aware of, including long-term diabetes, blood pressure issues, heart diseases and obesity. Kate Rowland, a senior majoring in humanities, with a concentration in English and political science, worked during the stay-at-home order. Rowland said she worked roughly 40 to 60 hours per week and accredits
this as to why her weight did not change, though she does believe that “Quarantine 15” is not something to be ignored. “I think everyone should be mindful of their weight and size because there are numerous health issues when a person’s weight is considered obese, such as diabetes, cholesterol issues, heart attacks and difficulty with mobility,” Rowland said. When addressing the terminology referring to weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, senior and psychology major at WSU Vancouver, Savannah Andrews, is not a fan of calling weight gain the “Quarantine-15.” Andrews belongs to the Health at Every Size Movement, an organization that originally began in 2003. The movement advocates for the end of weight discrimination and promoting acceptance for all body sizes. “[It] emphasizes that health is maintained by behaviors rather than weights, sizes and shapes. Weight is not an accurate measurement of health and making a distinction between who is healthy and who is unhealthy based on that number exacerbates the struggles of those with eating disorders,” Andrews explained. “I understand that everyone has their own perspective on this topic, [but] I am just trying to do what is best for me.” Staying healthy during the pandemic can be both physically and mentally challenging, but finding activities you enjoy can be a helpful tool in the process. To learn more about resources on how to cope with stress and maintain a healthy balanced life during the ongoing pandemic, visit the Coping with Stress page on the CDC’s website.
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Employment Engagement Coordinator position presents future career paths for students Olivia Eldredge | Copy Editor Internships and networking are an excellent way to start the job-seeking process while attaining a degree, but those tasks can be difficult without a sense of proper knowledge. Hoping to equip students with more connections and opportunities in the workforce, WSU Vancouver is hiring for the new position of Employment Engagement Coordinator. The coordinator will act as a bridge between students and companies in the northwest region who look for career-driven individuals. Bill Stahley, manager of the Student Resource Center on campus, will be supervising the hiring process. He said the ultimate responsibilities that accompany the position are setting up more internship opportunities and helping students think strategically about how they can use their degree in the future. “The person in this position will be working with students, but they also will be working with employers out in the community. … [Finding out] how we can get them connected with students, and how we create these different experiences that students could benefit from while they are still enrolled at WSU Vancouver,” Stahley explained. Domanic Thomas, vice chancellor of student affairs at WSU Vancouver, has also played a large part in the hiring process. Thomas stated the university’s student population is composed of many first-generation students, and incoming freshmen, who do not have an adequate amount of exposure to a variety of career opportunities. “Having a career services center that offers closer connections with employers [and] skill development related to job interviews, is always important, but it is even more critical at a campus like ours. We have
students who need that connection and networking skills and opportunities, more so than many elite private colleges,” Thomas said. As for the financial support to open the position, Workforce Southwest Washington has partnered with the university to assist with funding and has provided a three-year grant of $150,000 to fund the position. WSW seeks student talent to ensure a strong bond between regional industries and academic training provided by the university to ultimately open more career opportunities for students. Max Ault, assistant vice chancellor for strategic partnerships, is responsible for promoting community and corporate partnership goals for WSU Vancouver and the greater Vancouver-Portland metro area. Although he has no formal role in the hiring process, his duties include working toward removing barriers for students to have an easier time when seeking career opportunities. “We would be eager to find an individual who has both a passion for higher education and serving students in a way that invests in their success on campus and beyond. An individual who is well versed in student services and support, community engagement, outreach, team building and program development,” Ault said. Expected to begin work as early as late October, Thomas revealed they are far along in the interview process and are almost ready to move onto the last selection round. Stahley said students can make appointments with all career staff members by using the Handshake website with a WSU affiliated account and recommends all students sign up to get in the loop about future career options.
12 OCTOBER 2020
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OCTOBER 2020
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14 OCTOBER 2020
Cougar Bites: Tricks, treats and sweets These recipes are so easy, it’s scary
Tessa Hensley | Reporter While you may not be getting lost in corn husks or going to costume themed parties this time of year, making Halloween treats is an easy and fun way to celebrate the holiday. Without further-a-boo, here are some great treat ideas to help you get into the Halloween spirit. Witch Hat Cookies If you are in need of a magical treat this Halloween, consider this Betty Crocker Witch Hat Cookie tutorial. You will need the Betty Crocker brand devil’s food cake mix, or a similar dark brown colored cake mix, as well as some white frosting, food coloring, Hershey’s Kisses, two eggs and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
Jack Skellington Reese’s Cups This is the easiest, most spooky treat of them all. What you will need for this recipe are brown chocolate chips, white Reese’s peanut butter cups and toothpicks. Melt your brown chocolate chips as directed in the Ghostberries recipe, and use a toothpick to dip into the chocolate and draw a skeleton’s face on the peanut butter cups. We hope some of these treats make their way into your homes this October. Let us know if you try any of these recipes, and have a spooky season!
First preheat your oven to 350 degrees, then mix your cake batter, eggs and oil together in a bowl. Once the mix is blended, proceed by making cake batter balls and place them 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then let the cookies cool for 30 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the frosting while you wait. Mix the frosting with different food coloring and create the colors of your choice. Once the cookies have cooled, place your colored frosting in the middle of the cookies using a spoon. Then, top the cookies off with Hershey’s Kisses and prepare to be blown off of your broomstick. Ghostberries Ghost-shaped strawberries are a deliciously frightening treat. To begin, wash and dry your strawberries completely, and separately melt some white chocolate in the microwave. Make sure to put the white chocolate in a tall and wide bowl so you can dip the strawberries and cover them completely. When microwaving the chocolate, stir every 30 seconds until it is completely melted down. Afterwards, dip your strawberries in the melted chocolate, and lay them on parchment or wax paper. Once all of the strawberries have been dipped, freeze them for 5 minutes. While the strawberries are cooling, proceed to melt some chocolate chips. Once the white chocolate has hardened on the strawberries, use a toothpick to draw faces on the strawberries using the melted brown chocolate. Refrigerate the strawberries until you are ready to serve these deliciously scary treats.
Jack Skellington Reese’s Cups and Ghostberries made for the Halloween season (Tessa Hensley / The VanCougar)
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OCTOBER MARK YOUR CALENDAR
WED. BaCe Workshop, “Disability Etiquette” 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ____
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WSU Career Expo 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
THURS. Thabiti Lewis in Conversation with Dr. Eleanor Traylor 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
8 9 13 FRI.
Admissions 101 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
TUES. BaCE Workshop, “Americans with Disabilities Act Basics Part 1: Student Accommodations” 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
THURS. Let’s Talk VanCougs! 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ____
15 22 28 31 THURS.
Ross Gay Poetry Reading 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Feminist/Queer Dialogue Series 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
WED. Live Better, Stress Less: Maintaining Connection While Physically Distant 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. SAT.
Halloween
WED. Black Disability in Resistance and Creating: Story Telling & Moore with Leroy Moore 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
14 WSU Vancouver’s trees begin to change during the fall season. (Laura Dutelle / WSU Vancouver)
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16 OCTOBER 2020
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