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Diversity
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News
pg. 10
Opinion
Sports News
May 04, 2022
Vol. 122 NO. 5
By the students, for the students
CWU’s Health Sciences building grand opening
Kittitas County law enforcement cracks down on fentanyl distributors By Wayne Gray Staff Reporter The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington indicted Jonathan Rivera-Venegas on charges of conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl in Ellensburg on April 5. According to a release by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Rivera-Venegas’ distribution has been connected to two known fentanyl overdose deaths. Initially charged in Washington state court, the U.S. Attorney is moving to charge Rivera-Venegas in federal court as part of Operation Engage Spokane, a joint operation with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to the release. In the release, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref said the fentanyl crisis will be addressed by working with communities, local governments and law enforcement agencies. In another incident, Ellensburg’s Anti-Crime Unit arrested a 36-year-old Ellensburg resident for delivery of a controlled substance and discovered 2,000 fentanyl pills on March 17, according to an Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) Facebook post. According to the post, the arrest was made following a lengthy controlled substance investigation. The post said the stash was found while executing a search
warrant of the suspect’s residence and vehicle and estimated the street value of the pills at $20,000. The suspect was processed at Kittitas County Jail and charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance. In recent years fentanyl continues to be an issue in Ellensburg. Last year six Ellensburg residents died due to fentanyl related overdoses. In “Community raises awareness for fentanyl overdoses,” The Observer covered an Ellensburg protest conducted by members of the community in response to the deaths. In that article, Rick Jackson and other members of the community wanted to bring awareness to fentanyl related overdoses as well as youth mental health needs. In 2020, Washington had 652 fentynal related deaths according to the UW Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute. In another article, “Local first responders and police work to combat fentanyl overdoses,” The Observer covered the efforts made by Ellensburg first responders to address fentanyl related deaths in our communities. In that article, Captain Dan Hansberry of the EPD said that fentanyl is entering the U.S. primarily from Mexico through the southern border. Hansberry also stated the unpredictably potent fentanyl is being sold as other drugs, like Percocet,
unbeknownst to buyers. Fentanyl is so concerning to first responders because, according to the DEA, it is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. According to the DEA, the synthetic opioid was originally developed for pain management in cancer patients, and it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fentanyl overdoses are part of a larger opioid problem, and that problem isn’t exclusive to Ellensburg. According to the Washington DOH, overdose mortality data for the state, opioid related deaths have been on the rise. At the national level, the U.S. has seen deaths from opioid overdoses sharply increase over the last six years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opioid related overdose deaths were estimated at 68,630 in 2020. Synthetic opioids including fentanyl accounted for 56,516 of those deaths. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 9,649,551 pills containing fentanyl were seized by law enforcement in 2021. To further put that in perspective, the 2,000 fentanyl pills discovered in March by EPD only accounts for less than 1% of total pills containing fentanyl seized by law enforcement in the U.S. when compared to figures from 2021.
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Apology from Jeffrey Stinson Dear Ms. Diavolikis, I am writing to share with you my regret at having moved several copies of The Observer away from the main entryway of Shaw Smyser to a place near the elevator. Although the copies were not destroyed, stolen, or removed from Shaw Smyser, I do understand why Observer reporters and you were upset. My actions were impulsive and will not happen again. Free speech and freedom of the press are basic American values and essential to sustaining democracy. As well, these values are the bedrock of academic free-
dom. It is incumbent upon all members of the university community to steadfastly promote freedom of thought and speech and to encourage robust and insightful electronic, print and digital student news coverage. I will redouble my efforts to do so. Often, making a mistake is the best form of learning. I made a mistake and have learned much from that mistake. In hindsight, I should have more fully taken the time to consider my action. I apologize. Sincerely, Jeffrey Stinson, Dean College of Business
Letter to the Editor: Censorship outrage at CWU Please excuse my anonymity. I am concerned about retribution if I am identified. Regarding the letter from the Student Press Council on censorship in the Business College’s Deans’ office, Stinson’s letter of apology is disingenuous at best and and dishonest at worst. He says he “..removed several copies of the Observer away from the main entrance of Shaw Smyser to a place near the elevator. ..the copies were not not destroyed, stolen or removed from Shaw Smyser...” Go over to Shaw Smyser and check out the “place near the elevator.” There is no place there that distributes the
Observer. You know what’s in that “place” -- the recycling bin! So, yeah, I guess that’s the basis of Stinson saying the copies were not “destroyed” (what would we call “they were thrown in the recycling bin”? Sounds like destroying to me!) and not removed from Shaw Smyser. There needs to be an investigation launched by the University. It sounds to me like the Dean of the Business College is NOT being transparent and seems to be lying to protect himself. Does CWU care about censorship or not???? - Anonymous (via email)
A LOOK BEYOND
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May 04, 2022
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
A suspect escaped from a juvenile detention center near Kittitas. According to KomoNews, a 15-yearold boy threatened a staff member, stole their car and drove off from the Parke Creek Community Facility. The Ellensburg Police Department was able to deploy spike strips, which stopped the pursuit. Kittitas County Fire Districts 7 and 2 seek the creation of a Regional Fire Authority, according to the Northern Kittitas Tribune. Officials said this would, “create a more effective and efficient emergency response system for our community.” A 70-year-old Washington man mistakenly shot a man he thought was shoplifting. According to Fox News, this happened on Saturday around 11:20 p.m. at a Safeway in Gig Harbor and the person shot was rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital, but was able to leave later that day. A group of vandals has been implicated in the graffiti and damages done to a Seattle Parks and Recreation office in downtown Seattle, according to KIRO 7. KIRO 7 said in a tweet that the vandalizations may be in connection with recent homeless camp cleanups. Bill Gates opened up about divorce, his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the drama of recent years in a recent interview, according to The Seattle Times.
World
The Supreme Court has voted to overturn the abortion case Roe v. Wade, according to Politico. This comes from a draft of a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Ukraine last Sunday, according to the New York Times. Signaling growing U.S. support, Pelosi told a news conference in Poland, “America stands with Ukraine. We stand with Ukraine until victory is won. And we stand with NATO.” The University of California moves to end all tuition fees for Native American students, according to Inside Higher Ed. This applies to all federally recognized tribes of Native Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives. Fifteen states that want the U.S. Postal Service to electrify its mail delivery vehicles have sued to halt purchases of thousands of gas-powered trucks as the agency modernizes its delivery fleet, according to NPR.
New Zealand welcomed back tourists into the country after pandemic restrictions have eased, according to AP News. New Zealand welcomed tourists from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in over two years. Workers around the world marked May Day with protests for better working conditions, according to NPR. Protestors across New York, France, Turkey, India and Cuba demanded worker protections, among other labor force related issues. Pakistan and India suffered springtime heat waves, according to The Guardian. Unprecedented temperature levels led to water and electricity shortages. A three-story residential building in Lagos, Nigeria collapsed, killing five and many trapped inside, according to US News.
An ex-police officer in Philadelphia was fired and charged with the murder of a 12-year-old boy, according to AP News. Edsaul Mendoza was a police officer on duty when he shot and killed unarmed Thomas “T.J.” Siderio. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a statue of a Native American ballerina was dismantled and sold as scrap metal, according to AP News. The statue Five Moons of Marjorie Tallchief was located outside of the Tulsa Historical Society. The police are still investigating the case, as the thief has not been identified yet. A tornado barreled through parts of Kansas damaging hundreds of homes and buildings, injuring several people and leaving more than 15,000 people without power, according to NPR.
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Clarification In Issue 4 published on April 27th, in the article “CWU changes room and board rates,” the numbers in our graphic were swapped: standard $8006/suite $8741. They represent specific kinds of rooms. They did not specify the many room category distinctions of the old rates, particularly regarding “suite-style”versus suite-style single room.
The Observer Staff Editor-in-Chief Star Diavolikis News Editors Libby Williams
Copy Desk Chief Katlyn White Assistant Copy Editor Addie Adkins
Evan Couch
Scene Editor Katherine Camarata Sports Editor Jared Galanti Opinion Editor Katlyn White Orientation Editor Addie Adkins Online Editor Crystal Clausen Assistant Online Editor Emily LaFave
Copy Desk Staff Mary Miller
Staff Reporters
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Jennifer.Green@cwu.edu
Megan Rogers Wayne Gray Milenne Quinonez Chase Beyer
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Editorial Policy: The Observer is a public forum for student expression,
Joshua Kornfeld Elliott Watkins Morgana Carroll
in which student editors make policy and content decisions. The mission of The Observer is two-fold: to serve Central Washington University as a newspaper and to provide training for students who are seeking a career in journalism. The Observer seeks to provide complete, accurate, dependable information to the campus and community; to provide a public forum for the free debate of issues, ideas and problems facing the community at large; and to be the best source of information, education and entertainment news. As a training program, The Observer is the practical application of the theories and principles of journalism. It teaches students to analyze and communicate information that is vital to the decision making of the community at large. It provides a forum for students to learn the ethics, values and skills needed to succeed in their chosen career. If you have questions or concerns, email us at cwuobserver@gmail.com.
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May 04, 2022
NEWS
Health Sciences building brings department together
New building now houses all eight Health Sciences programs and new technology By Megan Rogers Staff Reporter Clinical Physiology, Nutrition and Public Health, EMS Paramedicine and Food Science programs are now housed in the same building. The 81,395 square-foot Health Sciences building had its grand opening on April 29. Before the opening, these programs were scattered between five different buildings, according to Health Sciences Department chair, Ethan Bergman. In a speech given at the opening ceremony, Bergman said, “Our 30 faculty members and our eight degree programs are all over the place. And this
building has brought us back together. We’ve never been together in the same building.” Tishra Beeson, who works for the Public Health Department, said that the future of health science and health care is working together collaboratively. “As an educator, the biggest gift that we can have is bringing all types of learners together, researchers, community members, to have a space that’s dedicated to health sciences,” Beeson said. “To have a space, I call it a home for health sciences on campus, to have a home for that to take place is life-changing.” Beeson said this new building houses state-of-the-art
simulations that can be used to help train students. “Students for decades are going to see the benefit of investing in those types of innovation,” Beeson said. “This is such a phenomenal facility.” Beeson said, now that all the departments are back together, they can have new learning opportunities. “To learn about how do we solve the world’s biggest health problems, and we can’t do it alone. We can’t be siloed in our own areas without ever working together,” Beeson said. David Gee, professor of food science and nutrition, said the kitchens in the new facility were specifically designed for consumer use, not commercial use.
“We didn’t want to have high-end commercial level stuff that people would learn how to cook on things, so if they got their dream home, they would be able to cook,” Gee said. Being able to learn in kitchens designed for consumers as opposed to kitchens designed for commercial use is important because Gee said most Americans have given up on cooking. “Seventy-five percent of all meals in the United States are ready to eat or ready to heat,” Gee said. Gee said they now have a lot of new equipment that allows them to assess nutrition. Along with the new equipment
for nutrition, Gee also added that he is most excited about the new laboratory facilities. Chicena Mortimer, firstyear graduate student in the human and integrated human physiology program, also gave a speech at the opening ceremony. She began her graduate experience in Purser Hall, and said she spent a lot of time commuting from classes and graduate assistant assignments. Now that the building is completed, she said she is excited about the new technology. “My thesis project is on diaphragm ultrasound,” Mortimer said. “This is the first ultrasound imaging equipment that we have at this university within this building.”
“As an educator, the biggest gift that we can have is bringing all types of learners together, researchers, community members, to have a space that’s dedicated to health sciences.” Tishra Beeson
Photos by Brevin Ross/The Observer
SCENE
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May 04, 2022
“Show Up, Speak Out” event highlights sexual abuse awareness By Morgana Carroll Staff Reporter
the at least 100-person goal she was hoping for.
The SURC ballroom was silent as the audience listened to a survivor’s story. They finished and walked off the stage as the crowd showed their support with a round of applause, acknowledging that it takes strength and bravery to share an experience like this with a crowd. Show Up, Speak Out was an event hosted by the Wellness Center in order to create a space to raise awareness about sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which takes place in April. Prevention, Advocacy, Training, Healing (PATH) advocate Katie Parks said she wanted this event to be an opportunity for survivors to feel heard and to create a community that doesn’t allow sexual assault to happen. The event featured an open mic section where anyone from the audience could share their experiences. After the open mic portion, the attendees walked around the ballroom and visited various organization tables to take part in their craft or activity. Parks said 160 people were in attendance, which is higher than
Speeches, spoken word, performances The event opened up with a section where any of the attendees could go up on stage. Performances included speeches, spoken word poetry, musical covers and original songs. Parks estimated that around 20 people participated in the open mic. The open mic segment was supposed to last for about half of the two hour long event, but ended up lasting longer and taking up more of the event’s time because so many people chose to share their story. Multiple speakers mentioned they had not planned on going up to speak but felt drawn to after hearing others speak. Some even shared their experiences for the first time at the event. “It was clear that so many people went up to share and said ‘I wasn’t gonna share but I’m feeling inspired,’” Carli Larson, a sophomore majoring in music, said. “Even if some people aren’t ready to share that story, they’re still feeling really heard and seen so they feel comfortable.” During the open mic, Larson performed her own renditions of popular songs.
“This event feels very important, and it’s something that I relate to personally,” Larson said. “So when Katie asked, I know that there’s ways to translate the feeling of healing to other people even if they don’t share, they get to know there are other people who have experienced that, so I said ‘yes Katie, I want to do it, I want to perform for this.’” Raiden Jewett, a senior majoring in anthropology who attended the event, said the performances were impactful. “They were difficult to listen to, but important to feel,” Jewett said. “They were emotional and needed.” Another attendee, freshman Zoe Hammer, said, “It’s healing to hear other experiences to know that I’m not alone.” Hammer said they think it’s important that allies hear experiences and stories because it helps to raise awareness about the severity and frequency of sexual assault. Community shows support Eleven of CWU’s clubs and organizations were in attendance, each with an activity for attendees to complete, as well as information about their organization. Organizations in attendance included Aspen, Kittitas Valley Healthcare Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners,
the CWU Police Department and ASCWU Senate, among others. Leia McWilliams, a senior political science major and treasurer for “Active Minds,” a club centered around psychology, said the reason she felt it was important for her organization to attend was to show support for the event. McWilliams said she feels it is important to break this stigma and have these kinds of conversations. The activity at the “Active Minds” table was a journaling activity. The attendees who came to the table could write down their thoughts on a page and then “rip the page out and tear the shit out of it,” according to McWilliams. “Having these booths here as well, it’s like, ‘Oh this is where I can get help for this; this is where I can meet people and get help for things that maybe I’m not looking for help right now,’” Larson said. Going forward This is the first time Show Up, Speak Out has been held. While a similar event has been held before called Rock Against Rape, Parks said that Show Up, Speak Out involved more conversation. Rock Against Rape is no longer being held due to the coronavirus pandemic, so when CWU returned to in-person and stu-
dents began to return to campus, Parks decided it was time to revamp the event. Attendees and event coordinators said they think there is a need for more events like this. Parks said she wants to see more events like this because it gives survivors a chance to see the support they have and it provides others with the opportunities to hear these stories. “More opportunities to talk about these things in a safe and open space would be amazing,” McWilliams said. Some of the attendees said they think CWU can do better in raising awareness about sexual assault. One of the speakers during the open mic segment talked about The Observer’s “Dining Services supervisor investigated for inappropriate boundaries” story, and how they felt like nothing came out of it. “CWU needs to do better by, like when that person talked about the Dining Services incident, cracking down on those things,” Larson said. “They need to send an email, saying ‘Hey we’re working on this, this is being changed,’ so people feel like things are changing and it’s safer to be here. It needs to be more open and talked about instead of swept aside.”
Northwest Expressive Arts Response provides creative outlet for healing By Katherine Camarata Scene Editor Freshly-hung mirrors, works of art and vibrant rainbow prayer flags adorn the walls of the newly-opened office for local nonprofit organization Northwest Expressive Arts Response (NEAR) where on any given day, community members can be found playing drums and other instruments or transforming art supplies into stories to be told. According to the NEAR website, the nonprofit opened its doors in January and is located in the Methodist Church courtyard. Former lecturer at CWU and Executive Director for NEAR, Nancy Doolittle, said her personal art is holding a space and providing tools for people to express themselves. “I came up with that name, NEAR, to respond to a need of individuals, families, communities and schools,” Doolittle said. “In our county, we have severe concerns about youth, addiction and obviously overdosing. It was very sad last year; we had four students overdose.” Doolittle said she hopes her nonprofit is able to address some of these concerns and needs in a way that helps process trauma, often in ways that don’t involve speaking out loud.
“Sometimes if you’ve been traumatized, it’s difficult to even access the story, and via the arts, movement, theater, music, visual arts, dance … a story can be released and come out,” Doolittle said. Doolittle said NEAR focuses on serving marginalized communities, such as immigrants, BIPOC, formerly incarcerated individuals and those without homes. “We’re prioritizing populations that are underserved, underrepresented, immigrant and indigenous populations,” Doolittle said. “We’re available to create workshops in response to different needs that communities have.” NEAR recently hired a new intern, senior in English Professional and Creative Writing Chloeanne Erickson, who feels her background will allow her to connect with others. “I’ll be working with houseless and homeless youth with creative writing as a tool for healing and confronting those issues,” Erickson said. “I have my own personal experience with those issues, so it feels very full circle to be able to give back to the community in that way.” Erickson said she hopes those who are struggling with these issues will feel less alone seeing somebody like her who has overcome similar challenges.
“It’s important for students who are navigating this … to have a tangible experience where they see their peers and other students who are struggling with this,” Erickson said. “It’s much more pervasive than we would like to see it as.” Doolittle said NEAR has partnered with an organization in Seattle called La Resistencia, which was created in response to detainees being kept at the Northwest detention center, and plans to continue working with their movement. NEAR has become active in the community recently, and one of their first service projects occurred as a result of the war in Ukraine. After the war started in February, Doolittle and Gallery One director Monica Miller were hoping to show support to Ukraine by sewing two sheets to-
gether, one yellow and one blue, to create a Ukrainian flag. Doolittle sat at a table outside Gallery One during the First Friday Art Walk on March 1 and invited community members to trace their hands on paper, cut them out and write encouraging messages to attach to the flag. Photos of the flag were later sent to contacts in Ukraine to share. “A couple united together for Ukraine; they made their hands with their wedding rings,” Doolittle said. “I met a mother and her daughter, and the daughter was half Ukrainian, the mother is a survivor of nazi Italy, and they both have their handprints on there.” NEAR plans to continue inviting engagement by hosting three workshops in May as part of a series
called Fuentes de Esperanza in partnership with El Centro Latino and Latin American Studies Program. The first workshop is called “Voices On the Wind: Prayers in Flight,” happening on May 5 at the Museum of Culture and Environment. The second workshop is called “Point in Time: Finding Home” happening on May 12. The final workshop is called “Book of Life: Telling Our Stories – Past, Present, Future,” happening on May 19. Additionally, NEAR’s first fundraiser will be held on May 20 from 6-9 p.m. in the Hal Holmes Center and will feature live music performances. The event is free and open to all ages. Students can get involved by visiting the NEAR Facebook page or website.
Ukrainian flag with cut-out hand prints. Photo courtesy of Nancy Doolittle
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May 04, 2022
THE
DIVERSITY PAGE
Sharing perspectives
Supporting awareness
‘Courage’ documentary features protest culture in Belarus By Elliott Watkins Staff Reporter The room was quiet and waiting in anticipation for the documentary to begin. The lights turned low, the screen went dark and the audience sat in silence as they prepared to observe a glimpse of Belarusian suffering and protest. The CWU Museum of Culture and Environment and the Department of World Languages and Cultures held a screening of the documentary “Courage” (2021) directed by Aliaksei Paluyan. This film documents the tyranny of the Belarus government and the lives of protestors and theatre-art rebels. Native Belarusian, associate professor of Russian and chair
of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, Volha Isakava, led this event. According to Isakava, for decades now Belarus has been occupied by an authoritarian government. During the Belarus protests in 2020, director Aliaksei Paluyan decided to document this reality and follow the lives of the Belarus Free Theatre group. The Belarus Free Theatre group is an art rebellion group working against authoritarian rule in Belarus. The members advocate for the presence of creativity, while simultaneously breaking the nation’s laws in the name of theatre arts. According to Isakava, the 2020 protests captured in the film were primarily about
fraudulent elections and a plea for those in power to step down. This caused the arrests of massive amounts of protestors as well as the spread of misinformation. “Activists are not aiming to take or to seize control and become a new type of dictator, but rather to allow for the true free elections to take place,” Isakava said. As the film went on, the audience watched as the militarized state on the screen abused its powers against its people. The documentary showed the unjust imprisonment of protestors, the concept of art and creativity being unlawful and the fraudulent election that threw the people of Belarus into protesting.
“I’m going to go home and cry now,” an audience member stated while walking out the door after the film had ended. The truths of this documentary seemed to come across to the audience as horrifying yet beautiful. The screen showed a nation’s reality in social ruins contrasted with the beauty of hope and persistence depicted in every theatre arts rebel and protestor. The film ended with a call stating that the theatre rebels had been caught and imprisoned for their activism. After the end of the documentary, the audience’s hearts seemed to sink despite their yearning for hope in Belarus. According to Isakava, it can be easy to lose resilience and no longer persist in activist efforts. She found inspira-
tion in the work of Dr. Tiya Miles whose book, “All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake,” documents the journey of an artifact from the times of slavery and exemplifies resilience and hope while facing horrific circumstances. “It’s really difficult to be faced with the futility of your efforts and with the hopelessness of a situation in Belarus … Resilience of hope comes really handy as a concept,” Isakava said in light of discouraging activists’ efforts in her country. “Courage” was filmed with intent to share the struggles of Belarusian people and to create international acknowledgement of the circumstances in that nation.
Discussion on bisexuality connects community By Milenne Quinonez Staff Reporter The Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) hosted “Find Your People: Bi Bi Bi” for students who shared the same sexual orientation, in Black Hall 103. Students connected with one another and had a conversation about their shared experiences. Three students led the conversation about bisexuality, biphobia and representation in the media and in college. “We should have this conversation,” Victoria Capell, the leader of the event and a graduate student in the cultural environmental resource management program, said. “Now is a good time to
have it and ultimately, I thought we should have it because what if this helps someone be comfortable with their identity and they don’t spend years of repressing who they are and all that pain.” The discussion began with students introducing themselves and describing what bisexuality meant to them as well as what they enjoyed about being bisexual, while getting to know one another in a room of people that understood and accepted them. “This is where I first came out as bisexual,” third year film major Mason Saulsbury said. She was one of the leaders of the event. “I don’t think CWU has provided a lot of resources that have been, like come out, come to this
gathering. Which is why it’s important for me because stuff like this is needed,” Saulsbury said. Students brought up heavy topics of how they cope with biphobia and their own experiences with friends and family that did not accept them, as well as the misconceptions from their own friends about who they are and who they date. “I wish that people understood that I know who I am,” Capell said. “I don’t need you to tell me who I am and once I made that realization it was able to allow me to stop from infringing on other identities. Unless you are in that identity you are never going to understand.” Tiernan VanSuetendael, a first-year graduate student in the
cultural environmental resource management program, and a speaker at the event, said he feels that there needs to be more events like “Find Your People’’ for LGBTQ+ groups to gather. He said even though the DEC hosts discussions and has clubs, there can be conflicts with the meeting times so it’s not available for everyone. “In my experience it’s been very difficult to find a place to go and just hang out with other LGBTQ+ people,” VanSuetendael said. VanSuetendael added that this is why it was important to be a part of an event like this. “I hope people feel that there is a place for them here,” VanSue-
tendael said. “I hope that it feels like they can make connections with other bi people and that they don’t feel alone.” For students who are looking for or in need of resources, they can contact the DEC either by phone or email for either identity-based support, student counseling or overall student support. “If you’re in the place where you’re like, I know who I am, I know I have this pain, but I know it’s important that I talk to someone about it and it’s not a counselor, definitely coming to the Diversity and Equity Center,” Capell said. “You are really more likely to find someone who understands ... the pain and the struggle you might be having.”
Attendees said that it is important to have discussions regarding sexuality. Photo by Milenne Quinonez/The Observer
Josie’s Misfit Ranch serves Kittitas, Yakima and Chelan County. Photo courtesy of Marla Pugh
Ellensburg’s new foster-based rescue helps animals with special needs By Milenne Quinonez Staff Reporter Josie’s Misfit Ranch, a foster-based animal rescue in Kittitas County, offers special care for dogs and cats with disabilities and behavioral issues. Marla Pugh, the founder of the rescue, started it in December of last year. She has a large board of animal advocates.
“We rescue animals because there is just so many out there that are fantastic animals that need a lot of love, and they most likely know they’ve been rescued, that you saved them,” Pugh said. “They just give so much love and joy and they really need help.” Pugh said she has four dogs and seven cats of her own. The rescue earned its name from one
of her rescue dogs named Josie. Josie was saved by another rescue facility in North Carolina, hours before being put down, according to Pugh. She later adopted her from the rescue. Pugh said she was inspired to acquire the ranch because of her love for Josie and wanted to give the same support for other animals like her. Pugh said she chose the Ellensburg area because the local
shelter is dealing with staffing shortages and is not open to the public regularly. The rescue also serves Yakima and Chelan Counties. Pugh said there is a need for more animal rescues in the county. “I always wanted to help animals and do something along the lines of rescue,” Pugh said. The rescue primarily works with animals that have special
needs, which means they evaluate the animals to identify any issues or which ones might require medical care. They then place the animals in foster homes to experience being in a regular family and receiving the attention they need. Since they are still at the beginning stage, the rescue has currently helped three dogs but are looking for more fosters and volunteers to help them grow.
Wildlife crossing structures help monitor and protect small mammals. Photo courtesy of Dr. Kristina Ernest
JOSIE “People get a little scared of adopting a disabled animal, but really they’re just like any other animal. They might need one or more eye drops once a day. But most of them are just like any other animal; they have a lot of love to give,” Pugh said. Josie’s Misfit Ranch not only provides rehabilitation opportunities for animals, but they also provide various resources for people looking to adopt or foster animals temporarily by training them in the needs of troubled animals and ongoing support. “We’ll teach them how to administer meds; we’ll explain to them what the condition is and what kind care is needed and we’ll always be there if people ask questions,” Pugh said. According to Pugh, the goal is to help people become better pet parents, increase the number of responsible pet owners and to partner with college students who are interested in pursuing a career with animals. “College kids have so much to offer and they have a lot of energy too and these dogs need that,” Pugh said. “They need someone that can keep up with their energy and it’s an opportunity to learn
NICK furY
SOPHIE
more. So, I would love to have more people volunteer from college,” Pugh said. CWU student, Hunter Korf, a double major inclimate behavior in ecology and biology with a focus in pre-veterinary studies, works with Josie’s Misfit Ranch back as a primary caretaker. She assists by staying overnight at the ranch with the animals when needed and transporting any fosters while learning about the dogs and figuring out ways to get them adopted. “I’ve always loved animals and I grew up with pets and grew up around pets and working in animal shelters, so it was a logical job for me to have while in college,” Korf said. Korf said she has adopted two dogs from the rescue and said that Pugh has been there every step of the way in the adoption process and still checks up on the dogs. “All the animals that end up there have one issue or another that makes them a little harder to adopt. What our focus really is about is highlighting those animals and giving them an opportunity to find a good home,” Korf said. Photos courtesy of Marla Pugh
Students monitor animal activity across I-90 crossing structures By Megan Rogers Staff Reporter Student researchers at CWU took part in a study where they observed small mammals in the I-90 project area to see which species are using the wildlife crossing structures. Wildlife crossing structures are passages that go either under or over highways and allow animals to safely cross from one side to another. The principal investigator for this study is Kristina Ernest. “We are looking at a lot of characteristics of the habitat and use of the wildlife crossing structures by a variety of small mammal species,” Ernest said. Ernest said that the ultimate goal of this study is to see
whether the wildlife crossing structures were effective and reconnected populations that were divided by the highway when it was built. Ernest said the crossing structures they are looking at are unique because they have habitats built into them. “They put in soil and then they plant native plants,” Ernest said. “They put in rock piles [and] lay down logs so there’s a lot of microhabitats and hiding places for small mammals.” Not only are they looking at how effective the wildlife crossing structures are, but how effective the habitats are at allowing the small mammals to hide from predators and extreme environments.
Jenna Chapman, a graduate student studying biology, is one of the student researchers studying the I-90 project. Chapman shared the importance of these crossing structures. “One [reason] is animals trying to cross the highway and being killed, unfortunately, by animal-vehicle collision,” Chapman said. “The road itself can still be a barrier to their movement when they’re trying to access feeding grounds or breeding areas or just in their daily travels as animals.” Ernest said that through the use of live trappings, they have been able to collect different small mammal species. “We mark them either temporarily or permanently, like with a microchip, because they’re
large enough and then we release them,” Ernest said. Ernest said the microchips are helpful in identifying the individual species to see which ones are using the crossing structures and see which crossing structures they are using. “We can identify exactly which individual that was and we can see where they’re moving and if they’re moving into the crossing structures, or if they’ve made it all the way across the highway,” Ernest said. Not only is the work done in the I-90 project area, but outside of it as well. Senior general biology major, Anita Valdovinos, is another student researcher that has been working on the project. Valdovinos has been working with the
captured species as well as cataloging them and inputting data. “We’ve collected their skulls and skins and also we’ve gotten some of their DNA from their liver,” Valdovinos said. “We send that to another independent facility where we can get some DNA analysis to figure out what specific species it is.” Ernest said she was glad that the students were able to work on this project because they feel like they are making a difference in both the animals’ lives and the habitat that they live in. “I’m just really grateful to be a part of it and have some kind of influence on this major project and how much it has benefited me in general. It’s been a good experience overall,” Chapman said.
OPINION SPORTS
Page 08
May 04, 2022
Jared Galanti Kylo Ren’s feelings toward Luke weren’t justified. Luke only did what he thought was necessary to stop the dark side of the force from rising once again. Yes, he could have handled it differently, but his feelings were in the right place.
Emily LaFave R2D2 may be a cool robot dude, but he beeps just as much as when the mobile orders come in at lunchtime at the SURC.
Morgana Carroll Luke is fruity, look at that haircut. Also, his default stance in the new Lego Star Wars game is that gay little lean. Plus Mark Hamill himself agrees with me.
Wayne Gray Aside from Han Solo, the Star Wars movies are actually really boring, and the Star Wars universe as a whole didn’t become interesting until The Mandalorian and Solo.
Jacqueline Hixssen Anakin could have been the most powerful Jedi and was the chosen one, but Yoda could feel the dark side in him and he did eventually turn evil.
Star Diavolikis I think Grogu is overrated and probably stinky. Granted he is cute, his cuteness has been milked dry and is now irritating to see everywhere on all merchandise.
STAR WARS
Mary Miller I don’t get it - How would a woman as influential and intelligent as Amidala fall for a guy, a younger man at that, who just massacred a whole village. And … she knew it!
MINI-OPINIONS
Sarah Stewart Star Trek is better.
Evan Couch No one cares about bounty hunter stories and boring characters that get whole spinoff series and films. People who like Star Wars want lightsabers, jedi and sith and lots of it.
Katherine Camarata Chewbacca deserved a medal at the end of A New Hope. He got them to the princess, he flew the ship while they escaped and he did it all without pants.
May the 4th be with you! By The Observer Staff
Elliott Watkins Kylo Ren is only hot because he is played by Adam Driver, but IRL Kylo Ren would just be a white supremacist with daddy issues.
Isaac Hinson The Last Jedi is far and away the second best Star Wars movie, second only to Empire Strikes Back. It’s the most thematically challenging film in the series and that scares fanboys. If Disney had let Rian Johnson cook for a whole trilogy it would have been the best thing to ever happen to the franchise.
Libby Williams Luke is a whiny little man. I could absolutely take him, and I’m weak. One roundhouse kick and it’s over. What’s he going to do, cry? Kiss his sister? I bet he says he’s 6’ but is actually 5’7”.
Page 09
May 04, 2022
OPINION STROPS
Edith and Ethel: Ask the Aunties By ‘Edith and Ethel’ Columnists Dear Aunties, How do I prepare for graduation? It is a month away!!! Scared Sally Ethel: Holy carp, no way. Is it really? How the heck did we get here? Didn’t we start this journey just yesterday? Edith: I honestly don’t know where the past few years went. I remember getting into my dorm, panicking because I didn’t know anybody and couldn’t even go meet people because everything was closed… I don’t have much prepared, but I know what you should do! Ethel: Start with graduation announcements and invites. Since I’m a broke college student who also happens to be a single mom, I made mine on Canva and sent them digitally to my family and friends. Edith: Walmart is also an iconic, cheap option for printing out invitations for those relatives in our lives who can’t access their email without hands-on help. Another thing to think about is your outfit, hair and, if you get them done, nails. Will your hair be grown out by June? Do you have a nice outfit in mind? When are you getting your nails filled? I’d start scheduling these appointments now because everything will be too busy if you wait. Ethel: I thought of everything but the nails, I’m so glad you brought that up. Currently running to my phone to book that appointment. If you have the means, I’d also recommend booking a nice little spa day. Might as well treat yourself, you know what I mean? The last thing I think you should think about is, of course, the party! Can’t celebrate without the party, right? Edith: Exactly! I’ve already decided on a location, just that I am trying to debate on getting a food truck that I love to be there or not. But I have a general idea of who I’m inviting and what foods I want, as well as the financial cost of everything. Planning ahead and getting everything scheduled is the best thing you can do as of right now, because there is most likely somebody else already booking for the day and time you want.
Opinion: Americans shouldn’t celebrate Cinco De Mayo Photo courtesy of pexels.com
By Milenne Quinonez Columnist Cinco de Mayo is a day many Americans confuse with Mexico’s Independence Day, which is Sept. 16. Although this is not really an issue that needs to be addressed, here are some of the reasons why I don’t think Americans should celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and here are the things to do instead if you want to celebrate Mexico. The original celebration of Cinco de Mayo honors the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “the celebration of Cinco de Mayo became among Mexican immigrants a way of
encouraging pride in their Mexican heritage.” The holiday has little to no significance to people in Mexico, the only celebration of Cinco de Mayo that happens in Mexico is in the state of Puebla, which includes military parades, recreations of the battle of Puebla and other traditional events. If people in Mexico don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo, why do Americans? To Americans, May 5 has always been an excuse to drink and put on a sombrero and eat Americanized Mexican food, which was the exact marketing tactic that was used in the 1980’s and how Cinco de Mayo gained its popularity. According to The Conversation, a new site talking about the cultural aspects of Cinco de Mayo, “The widespread com-
dish would include and not at all authentic. Authentic dishes range from corn tortilla tacos (not the hard shell ones), tamales, pozole and menudo. Eating Americanized Mexican food is not the problem but if you are going to try to celebrate or observe any Mexican holiday, the least you can do is eat authentic Mexican food while supporting local Mexican businesses. For those that do enjoy celebrating Cinco de Mayo, just understand the significance of the holiday and make sure to understand it is not Mexico’s Independence Day. If you really want to show Mexico your support, you are better off celebrating on Sept. 16 because that day is an actual celebration - when Mexico gained its independence from Spain.
Opinion: Elon Musk’s recent Twitter buy-out is the demise of free speech for minorities on the platform By Elliott Watkins Columnist Elon Musk is the world’s wealthiest man, the owner of Tesla and most recently the owner of Twitter. The ownership of Twitter was a pursuit in the name of “free speech” for Musk, but it seems to be another bad take from a privileged point of view. Free speech is significant because it allows for the masses to have access to honest and authentic information. “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because
that is what free speech means,” Musk tweeted. One thing that minority groups have had to face for centuries is being silenced by the majority. Twitter allowed diverse communities to safely interact with each other. The overarching issue with such free reign for everyone on Twitter is that while some people view this freedom as democracy, others could just as easily view it as anarchy. Freedom of speech shouldn’t be scapegoated for users on Twitter to spread hate. Without governing hate speech and bigotry by banning harmful accounts, the safe spaces for minority groups to share
Ethel: Oh for sure. It was so hard to find hotel rooms that were still available, and I was looking a month ago. So, Scared Sally, just celebrate! We’re almost done.
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mercialization of Cinco de Mayo occurred during the 1980s and 1990s. Beer companies, in particular, targeted Mexican Americans, exhorting them to celebrate their heritage with Coronas, Bud Lights and Dos Equis.” Again, not only is Cinco de Mayo not celebrated for the battle of Puebla, but it is used as an advertisement for American beer companies to cash in and restaurants to sell you on $5 margarita specials with terrible names like “Cinco de drinko,” which is not even how you say drink in Spanish. The holiday attracts Americans to make awful Americanized Mexican food, like a taco bowl with the bowl being a toasted tortilla, and nachos made with ground beef which is again not something an actual Mexican
Elon Musk on the Royal Society admissions day in London, July 2018. Photo courtesy of Duncan Hull / Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
their experiences becomes even more minute. If there are no censoring systems in place, there are no repercussions of tweeting bigoted takes online. Not only has Twitter already been a place of harmful interactions, the ability to spread misinformation is easier within a system that promotes freedom - the freedom to say what you want, including harmful and inaccurate information. With the notion of making Twitter private and promoting free speech, many Twitter users are ecstatic to be able to voice opinions that would have once gotten them canceled or banned from Twitter, but others including myself fear the consequences this may bring. “Millions of Americans have been choking back their thoughts and opinions on this platform for YEARS out of fear of being suspended/canceled. I have a feeling the dam is about to break…#BringItOn #BeHeard,” country music artist and member of Big and Rich John Rich tweeted. According to The New York Times, groups such as far-
right conservatives have vast amounts of followers that are banned from Twitter. The reinstatement of their accounts has given cause for celebration of the far-right. It is important to note that all who are banned from Twitter are done so on the grounds of not following the guidelines that one agrees to when signing up for their accounts. You’d think that everyone who argues, “Maybe if they wouldn’t have resisted arrest,” would understand the irony of throwing a fit over having a Twitter account banned for not following guidelines. Much like in kindergarten, if you are hurting someone else’s feelings or telling lies, it is not unreasonable to expect a “timeout” in the near future. This should be an expectation upheld throughout adulthood as well, especially when making harmful statements to people and their communities on Twitter. With that being said, I believe that the uncensored Twitter that Elon Musk is pursuing welcomes dangerous groups and beliefs, allowing those that encourage hate to have a voice.
SPORTS
Page 10
May 04, 2022
Hurdles team looks ahead to GNAC Championships By Chase Beyer Staff Reporter Men’s hurdles started off the season ranked 11th in Division II and have been able to keep up that ranking, as they look ahead to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships. Graduate hurdler Austin Albertin gave credit to hurdler’s coach Brittany Aanstad for getting them prepared for every race. “Our coach, we represent her, it’s her philosophy and her mindset, that is why we are doing what we are doing,” Albertin said. “You gotta be willing to go through that pain and that suffering for that short amount of time to be able to be on the top.” Freshman hurdler Aiden Wise said Aanstad pushes them physically but also mentally in practice. “We all want to be great,” Wise said. “Finishing the workout is really all that matters. It may be sloppy, which it will be sloppy at the end, but teaching yourself to finish the workout and finish the race is what’s important.” That mindset of finishing the workouts and the race is why they have been so successful this season and are in the position to look ahead to the conference championships later next month. “You got to compete one day, come back the next day
and be able to do it,” Albertin said. “That’s what our program makes us. When you get in those blocks, when it comes to conference time or when you’re at nationals and that gun goes silent, the only thing in your head is ‘I’m meant to be here.’” Albertin said this was the year the team was going to work on their foundation. “We’re going to be the people to do it, it’s going to suck, it’s going to be hard and it’s going to be a lot of ups and downs,” Albertin said. “We got to be those guys to put the first nail in.” Even when the weather wasn’t favorable, the team still had to make sure the foundation was there for when spring season started. “During the winter, there’d be snow on the track, either we would find ways to run around town or just run on the track,” Wise said. Albertin said he believes the sky’s the limit for the men’s hurdle team and sees how much potential this team has for the future. “I am so glad I got to compete another year with them and coach,” Albertin said. “These guys are freshmen, that is what I am so excited [about]. They’re only going to get stronger, they’re only going to get smarter, they’re only going to get faster.”
Freshman Hurdler Aiden Wise jumps over hurdle during race. Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson/Thompson Sports Photography
Graduate Hurdler Austin Albertin handing baton off to Freshman Hurdler Aiden Wise. Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson/Thompson Sports Photography
Cheer team rebrands to become co-ed
CWU Cheer team lined up on the football sidelines. Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson/CWU Athletics
By Jacqueline Hixssen Staff Reporter New head coach Brooke Wales rebrands the cheer team to make room for new members. According to freshman flyer Sabreena Kemp, the team will be co-ed this season. “People will be surprised with our new look that we’re bringing to next season from going from all girls to co-ed,” Kemp said. Last season, the team was considered all-girl even though they had one man on their team. A cheer team cannot be considered a co-ed team unless the team has at least two men, according to Junior main base Asael Aburto. Prior to Aburto, CWU Cheer had never had a man on their team. The previous coach told Aburto he could try out but made it clear she wanted it to stay an all-girl team. Wales accepted the head coach position of the cheer team early during the 2021-22 season. The previous cheer coach hosted tryouts and built a team now coached by Wales. According to Aburto, the team is looking for 20-22 cheerleaders for their program, with a mix of group and partner stunts.
“This is going to be a really different year for our cheer program, and I am really excited to see where our program leads,” Aburto said. The cheer team cheers for sports during fall and winter quarters, leaving spring quarter as their offseason. Cheer is not a sport athletes can take a break from without losing skills, according to Kemp. Kemp said staying active throughout the offseason is vital for in-season success. “I still continue to stretch and work out every day just to keep my body moving.” Kemp said. “At least once or twice a week I ask teammates to tumble just to continue to stay active.” Aburto said that to him, cheer is an all-season sport. “Even if it is the off-season and we don’t have actual games, we always are involved with cheer no matter what,” Aburto said. The cheer team does more than cheer for other teams, they are also active members in the community. “We do events around town like the Labor Day parade and then we have also looked into doing the Suncadia golf tournament,” Kemp said.
The optimistic attitude students see from the cheerleaders is not faux; according to Aburto the team is very community-related. “We love our community. We love representing. We love showing up to all these events. We just love being there,” Aburto said. According to Kemp the team is able to stay motivated even in the offseason. “Our practices during the school year are like two and a half hours, but once we start the season during summertime it’s an all-day thing,” Kemp said. “We start at 9 a.m. and we don’t end until 3 p.m. If you’re not prepared for that during the offseason then during the season you will struggle.” The cheer team has started preparing for the next event: tryouts. Aburto said only Wales knows who will be returning. No spots on the team are reserved for returners. Tryouts will be held May 14 and 15 in Nicholson Pavilion. If students are interested in becoming a CWU cheerleader, students can find tryout packets and information by going to the CWU Athletics page, clicking the ‘Inside Athletics’ drop-down menu and selecting cheerleading.
CWU Cheer team lined up on the football sidelines. Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson/CWU Athletics
Page 11
May 04, 2022
CWU football has high ambitions following spring game By Isaac Hinson Staff Reporter The CWU football team competed in the annual Crimson vs. Black spring football game which took place on April 23. Redshirt sophomore running back Tyler Flanagan said both sides of the ball looked good in the game. “I feel like the offense played really well and the defense played really well,” Flanagan said. During the 2021 season, Flanagan was injured. Before this, he averaged 6.4 yards per attempt. The redshirt said he hopes to stay healthy in the upcoming season and help lead CWU to another successful season. “I feel pretty confident,” Flanagan said. “[Erik] Hoium, our strength coach, has been doing really well in getting us ready to go … I feel like I’ve been doing the best in the weight room as I’ve been in a while, so I just gotta stay
healthy for the season and hopefully it’ll be good.” Flanagan had a career night in the playoffs last season, posting a three touchdown performance against Northwest Missouri State, but the Wildcats ultimately fell short in the 5021 loss that ended their season. Flanagan believes that CWU can make it back to the playoffs this coming season. “The team is really confident,” Flanagan said. “We’ve lost some key pieces and we’re pretty young, but we have some really good leaders on the team. In the spring ball we made some huge strides in the right direction, so we’re pretty confident and we’ll be pretty good next year.” The 2022 season marks head coach Chris Fisk’s fourth season leading the charge at CWU, and he’s ready for the team to take the next step towards success. “We’re in our fourth year here running the program and you can start to feel the culture that we’re trying to develop,” Fisk said. “Our quarterback
Quincy Glasper was poised and has been playing well in scrimmage … Our defensive and offensive lines, which right now are the strength of our program, have had a very physical spring session.” Glasper threw for 103 yards and a touchdown during the Crimson vs. Black spring scrimmage game. In the 2021 season, Glasper averaged 195.9 passing yards a game, and threw for 18 touchdowns. Fisk and Flanagan said they hope to compete in the national championship for next season. Fisk said they could win, but they need to focus on things they can control. “We say to our guys all the time ‘Your best ability is your availability,’” Fisk said. “We’ve gone through some injury bugs the last two seasons, and so that’s something that’s been a big focus for us … and if we just focus on the things that we can control before we worry about outcomes of games, the outcomes of the games will be what we’re hoping for.”
SPORTS
Football hires new offensive coordinator Mike Ferriter brings new ideas to CWU football
New offensive coordinator Mike Ferriter. Photo courtesy of CWU Athletics
By Jared Galanti Sports Editor
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Football found its next offensive coordinator Mike Ferriter after a long search, that included their original hire leaving after only a couple weeks. Ferriter said because he was a football fan since the age of two, his father always believed he would become a coach someday. “I’ve loved football my entire life,” Ferriter said. As a graduate from the University of Montana with a human biology degree, Ferriter said he didn’t think he would go into coaching. However, an illness changed his plans. “I was going to go someplace into the medical field,” Ferriter said. “But I got some hiccups that happened in my life right as I got out of college. I got sick and then was given an opportunity to become a graduate assistant for a head coach that I played for at University of Nevada Las Vegas [UNLV]. I decided life is too short and I was going to take a chance and that I was going to go to Vegas and try out coaching.” Ferriter said he decided to take the job at UNLV and see what it felt like to coach. Once he did that everything else fell into place. Ferriter said familiarity with CWU and the northwest in general is what drew him to the job. “My senior year in college I played against CWU, so I am very familiar with them,” Ferriter said.
“Over the past few months I’ve had contact with [head] coach [Chris] Fisk just doing my research on the program and Ellensburg and I really felt like it was a place that fit what I was looking for.” Ferriter said he has spoken with freshman quarterback Quincy Glasper and is excited to help him continue to progress going into his sophomore year. “He’s done some great things, and with me just getting here and learning the system, it’s been some back and forth,” Ferriter said. “But I think it’s just me continuing to teach him the game, to help him understand what we want to do offensively and overall the big picture of him understanding football and being a student of the game.” Ferriter said his offensive system, while similar to ones run in years past, does have a few differences. “You will see some similarities to what you’ve seen in the past but also some things that weren’t being done before,” Ferriter said. “You’re going to have a combination of things that I am bringing in. So you are gonna see a new look CWU offense to a degree.” Ferriter said fans should be excited for next football season. “[The] great group of young men that we have here, that were not satisfied with just making the playoffs, I think they’re hungry for more,” Ferriter said. “These guys are hungry and excited to show who they really are and what we are all about.”
EVENTS
Page 12
May 04, 2022
Wildcat Words: If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?
Maria V.
Mel M.
Elise N.
Josh J.
Frodis J.
So. Musical Education
Jr. Biomedical Science
Sr. Secondary Education
Jr. Mathematics
So. Psychology
“I would like to have dinner with my grandma or something. My grandma was awesome, so I would have dinner with either of my grandmas because they are both gone.”
“Probably like [Abe] Lincoln. Just because I thought about him today for some reason and the pressures he faced when going through his presidential term were pretty severe.”
“Leon Trotsky for sure. I would like to talk to him and be like ‘Hey Trotsky, what did it feel like to get an Ice pick in your head?’”
“Probably Abraham Lincoln. I mean I kind of want to get a backstory of the whole murder thing and also I heard he was also a slave owner and I would like to talk to him about that.”
“Probably Virginia Woolf. I really like all of her works, they are really interesting and she had a really interesting perspective. She was one of the first queer icons.”
QA
weekly events
&
with
YERIN KIM Meet Yerin Kim, an assistant professor of Music Piano and director of Keyboard Studies. She has two bachelor degrees in Piano Performance and Physcology, a masters of Music and a doctorate of Musical Arts. Kim founded the Sensory Friendly Music and Autism Concert Series in New York, St. Louis and South Bend. She was also highly involved in Pianofest, a three-day event where pre-college through college-level students from across Washington will play and compete for honors. Q: When did you learn to play the piano? A: I started playing the piano at the age four. My parents needed to keep me busy doing something when my younger brother was born and I asked for piano lessons. Q: How did Pianofest affect CWU’s music program? A: It was a wonderful celebration of shared passion for performing, learning and listening to the vast range of piano repertoire. I invited 15 finalists to campus, pre-selected from the recording round from pianists across Washington state. The level was incredibly high, and the level of excitement and electrifying energy of having this event was invaluable, especially after three years of not having a large piano festival due to the pandemic. All the events were open to the public (will continue to be in the future) so I hope more community members from the University as well as Ellensburg can come and join the fun. Q: Why is music important to you? A: It’s something that’s been in my life from a young age, similar to how we learn our languages. When lost with words, music can do the job for you. It’s one of the most humanistic and creative outlets I know. I love and appreciate the convenience of the technology of our modern life, but I am so grateful for the essential purpose of performing classical music and what it does to our lives. Q: Why did you decide to become a music teacher at CWU? A: It’s a very vibrant and exciting community of students, colleagues and staff here! I’ve been so welcomed ever since I came here, and I look forward to teaching every morning. I’m also on the road quite a bit to perform and I always look forward to coming back to my new “home base” here. That’s something! The amount of enthusiasm for learning, performing and making a difference inspires me. Q: What has been your most memorable moment at CWU? A: This is my second year at CWU and I’ve been very fortunate and inspired to be able to do many collaborative projects with my colleagues, students and even different departments. I started an annual Music & Autism concert series collaborating with the composition studio, autistic artists and poets, and our CWU performance studios. I also put together a Bach & Dance concert last year with the dance department which was so much fun. Just last week, piano studio performed Piano & Poetry concert, raising funds for Ukrainian college students and so many of the Ellensburg community came out to listen and donate. All the genuine excitement from the students, colleagues and the community is what makes the process so memorable. Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? A: I’ve always wanted to be a pianist. I didn’t really have a set idea on what pianist or pianistic job I would have. I think I just always wanted to be playing the piano, use piano for something meaningful, and live my life around making music using piano.
5 6
12-1:30 p.m. International Cafe @ SURC 137A&B 5-7 p.m. Juried Student Exhibit Reception/Awards @ Sarah Spurgeon Gallery 10-11 p.m. Improv Night The Hot New Jam @ SURC Theater 210 7-10 p.m. Family Trivia Night w/ Adam Ace and HYPE with Magician & Hypnotist Noah Sonie @ SURC Theater 210
7
9:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Yakima River Float @ OPR Patio 7-10:30 p.m. African Night: Ubuntu @ SURC Ballroom
THURS
FRI
SAT
8
Mother’s Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mother’s Day Brunch @ Holmes Dining
9
7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Monday Movie Madness: Sing 2 @ SURC Theater 210
SUN
MON
10 TUES
11 WED
National Pickle Day
National Washington State Day 7-8 p.m. Composition Studio Recital @ McIntyre Hall 174 4-6 p.m. OPR Weekly Fireside Chat @ Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals Patio
Photo courtesy of Dr. Yerin Kim Wildcat Words - Brevin Ross, Q&A - Crystal Clausen & Emily LaFave
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