Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 1/14/09 Section: Culture

All 88 "Postsecret" cards from Western students are on display in Valsetz.

One of the secrets submitted by a Western student for the RHA's "Postsecret" progrm on Jan. 8, 2009. The event was hosted at the Valsetz dining hall.

Do you have a secret you have never told anyone? Not a single soul, ever? Most people do, but few ever release themselves of that secret.
That is exactly what Postsecret is for. Release yourself of one or more secrets; they can be anything at all, from sexual deviances, bad habits, embarrassing moments, or even criminal acts.
How do you do it? It is simple. Write the secret on a post card, when alone. You can decorate it with drawings, painting, a photograph, anything you can think of. Then, slip it into a mail-box addressed to:
Postsecret 13345 Copper Ridge Rd. Germantown, MD 20874.
The shocking, interesting or unusual secrets, as well as the more creative and uniquely decorated secrets get posted every Sunday on the Web site www.postsecret.blogspot.com. There are also Postsecret books available at local bookstores.
The Residence Hall Association caught wind of the Postsecret idea, and brought it to Western's campus on Thursday, Jan. 8. inside Valsetz.
The idea was brought up by Freshman Liasion Allie Smith, who learned about the event when she attended a regional conference in November.
RHA decided to try the program here on Western's campus. Smith and Beau Backman headed the program, which turned out to be a success.
When Backman and Smith closed the program, they had 88 Postsecret cards. They varied from common fears and secrets to more outrageous ones. Some cards were simple writing on a white card while others had intricate drawings, or were decorated with magazine clippings.
The cards will be put on a wall in Valsetz soon, and blank cards will be there as well, so more students can complete cards and join in on the program. After the display is taken down, the cards will be sent to the author of Postsecret and there will be a Web site of Western's Postsecrets as well. Be on the look out for the display in Valsetz and if you have not already, take part in spilling a secret to the world anonymously.

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