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Sports
Diversity
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Opinion
Events
May 11, 2022
Vol. 122 NO. 6
By the students, for the students
Abortion rights on the line as the Supreme Court decides whether to overturn Roe v. Wade Protesters gather every day in front of Kittitas County Courthouse in light of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court draft opinion. Photo by Katherine Camarata/The Observer
By Katherine Camarata, Joshua Kornfeld with contributions from Emily Lafave Scene Editor & Staff Reporters “Abortion is a human right” and “If the government thinks parenthood can be forced why am I owed $25,000 in unpaid child support” were phrases decorating signs held by protestors outside the courthouse every day since a leaked Supreme Court document showed that the case regarding reproductive rights, Roe v. Wade, may be overturned. According to the document released by Politico, the initial draft majority opinion detailing the possible overturning was written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in February. The six conservative majority have signaled their willingness to overturn Roe v. Wade, while the three liberal justices opposed overturning Roe v. Wade, according to Politico. The opinion is subject to change as justices may change their minds in later drafts. The leaked document sparked concern among Ellensburg residents who decided to gather in solidarity and protest on May 4, the day after it leaked. According to second year student in primate behavior Elizabeth DeBruyn, the organizers of the previous womens’ march asked people to go to their city centers to protest. They invited people over to make signs and formed the first Ellensburg demonstration surrounding the issue. “It’s about telling the community that people care about them,” DeBruyn said. “I want the community to know they’re not alone in going through this.” DeBruyn was joined by first year graduate student in primate studies, Mia Sarkisian, who said she got involved because she per-
sonally knows people who have benefitted from abortion. “A lot of people see prochoice as pro-abortion, and there’s a lot of people that don’t like abortions but understand that it’s their choice to have one,” Sarkisian said. “I’m also very proLGBT rights and I understand that pro-choice is not only beneficial for ciswomen, but also for transgender people and gender non-conforming people.” According to Sarkisian, seeing other community members support reproductive rights made her feel better. “I had this idea that Ellensburg is more conservative,” Sarkisian said. “It was really important to see the town rally together to know there is a lot of pro-choice support.” Widespread perspectives According to the Pew Research center, 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances, while 37% believe abortions should be illegal in all or most circumstances. This varies by situation and depends on factors such as safety of the mother, when and how the abortion happens, and the possible quality of life for the child. Abortions can be minimally invasive and involve taking medication under the supervision of a healthcare provider. In December of 2021, the FDA permanently removed the barrier for women to have abortion pills mailed to them, according to NPR. Ruthi Erdman, senior lecturer in English and women’s gender and sexuality studies, said overturning Roe v. Wade, “reverses decades of national policy, destroying freedoms and protections that women … have relied upon for almost 50
years. It undermines women’s autonomy and puts women’s health and lives at risk.” Professor of philosophy and religious studies Cynthia Coe weighed in on the issue with concerns of potential ramifications. “Within a matter of weeks or months, I think there are 13 states that have trigger laws, which mean immediately if Roe v. Wade is overturned, they would immediately ban abortions, and so the content of those trigger laws differs state to state,” Coe said. “So you’d have immediately 13 states where abortion becomes significantly less accessable than it already is.” Coe and Erdman both emphasized the importance of expressing outrage and dissent against the overturning. “We must make our voices heard now,” Erdman said. “This won’t stop abortion or save fetuses. It will only harm or kill young women. How pro-life is that? If we can’t persuade the Supreme Court, we can at least influence state legislators ... We must vote for legislators who understand that access to safe abortions is vital.” Roe v. Wade explained In 1970, a woman under the name Jane Roe sued her local district attorney Henry Wade of Dallas County for infringing on her reproductive rights, according to ConstitutionCenter.org. “Roe alleged that the state laws were unconstitutionally vague and abridged her right of personal privacy, protected by the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and Fourteenth Amendments,” according to Oyez.org, a law project from Cornell. When Roe v. Wade was ruled on in 1973, the court ruled seven in favor to two
opposing, citing “zones of privacy” as a reason, according to ConstitutionCenter.org. The states can only restrict abortions if a “compelling state interest” exists, according to ConstitutionCenter.org. Currently, as a federal statute every state has to provide access to abortions, according to Planned Parenthood. However that doesn’t mean that states have to be accommodating, and they still have the right to close or limit hours of abortion clinics. States such as Washington have signaled their support for abortion rights via legislation, while states such as Texas signaled strong opposition. Gov. Jay Inslee said, “Washington state was a pro-choice state, Washington state is a prochoice state, and we are going to fight like hell to keep Washington a pro-choice state,” according to KUOW. According to the Texas Tribune, Texas passed one of the nation’s strictest abortion bans, banning any abortion after six weeks. While the vote is important to define where each senator stands on the matter, due to an even 50-50 split in the senate, any legislation that passes could be filibustered. This means that in order to pass, the bill would need to cross the 60 vote threshold, an unlikely outcome due to the political nature of the bill, according to ballotpedia. Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, spoke in a floor speech on the matter. “We will vote to protect a woman’s right to choose and every American is going to see which side every senator stands [on],” Schumer said, according to NPR.
Letter from the editor: Highlighting Women By Star Diavolikis Editor-in-Chief With everything being so chaotic in the world, I feel there is a lot of dismissal towards women and their achievements. Women have worked their way from not having any rights and only being at home, to running companies and publications, such as myself. In this issue, we have highlighted the stories that our women writers have created. Here, the headlines and names will be in a black space with white text - this is to set them apart and highlight the work they have done. Within The Observer, I value every person and identity equally, and will not refrain from expressing so. Women deserve as much respect as their male counterparts, whether it be in a workplace, in societal structures and anything in between. Please, enjoy the work these students have done - they worked hard on this.
Read on page 3
African Night
“Ubuntu”
A LOOK BEYOND
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May 11, 2022
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
World
CWU’s Police Chief, Jason Berthon-Koch, has been named to the international Rape, Aggression, Defense Systems Organization Hall of Fame, according to CWU News. Berthon-Koch has been recognized for empowering women and teaching self-defense skills.
QAnon and vigilantes are gathering at the Mexican border, according to the New York Times. The group is intercepting migrant children and gathering information about their families because the group says they are concerned about sex trafficking.
A new HopeSource van will be traveling around Kittitas County to help community members. The van will be providing resources such as laundry vouchers and food to people who are less fortunate, according to The Daily Record.
New York subway shooting suspect indicted on a terrorism charge, according to Reuters. The indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York charged Frank James with a terrorist attack and other violence against a mass transportation system and a count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The 11 recipients of the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award have been chosen by the Alumni Association, according to CWU News.
A Molotov cocktail was set off in an anti-abortion group’s headquarters in Wisconsin last week but no one was hurt, according to the New York Times. This is a situation fueled by a draft ruling by the Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Visit our website for more information.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned during protests due to the government’s handling of an economic crisis according to BBC. Twenty-five European countries are relaxing COVID-19 entry requirements for travelers, with France and Germany among several others still imposing some COVID-19 restrictions, according to Forbes. With the conflict in Ukraine showing no signs of dissipating, Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t mention the ongoing conflict with Ukraine in his speech Monday. Instead, he highlighted the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany. Russian troops have been repelled from Kyiv providing hope and determination for many in Ukraine, according to the Washington Post. The COVID-19 outbreak in China has led to trade issues. According to Associated Press, China has been in lockdown due to COVID-19, which has led to supply chain and trade issues nationally and internationally. The Beijing lawmakers have decided to keep the infected citizens of China in lockdown, despite the falling number of cases.
cwuobserver.com
Letter to the Editor Hello, I was dismayed to see the blatant homophobia in your most recent edition of the Observer (Vol 122, No 5). I appreciate that the Opinion section is just that, opinions, but quoting someone who talks about Luke Skywalker’s “gay little lean,” not to mention saying “Luke is fruity,” is unacceptable. I know this is an opinion of a random CWU student and, presumably, not of the Observer and its staff; however, I am horrified that you printed something like this and hope you will be issuing a formal apology for the sake of so many of our staff and students who do not deserve to see alienating, demeaning hate speech printed in the school newspaper. I would appreciate if someone would respond to this email, letting me know what action, if any, you plan to take. Sincerely, Matt Martinson Douglas Honors College
Email Response
Hello Matthew, this is Star Diavolikis, the current Editor-in-Chief. I’d like to start off with an apology that it came off as offensive - I feel a bit of context may have been necessary to run this opinion piece, which is a fault on my part. It should have been something I added as an editorial note. Morgana is one of our reporter staff members who, along with myself, is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and was using this joking-opinion piece to reclaim this type of language to solidify and confirm their own identity. The original intent was lighthearted, and I understand how it could come off as offensive, and I do apologize. I will be more diligent in allowing this language in the future, and I do agree it can come off as disrespectful and stereotypical to those who may not know the writer and their comfortability with using wording that previously were held against them. I will be running this email and clarification in print, to acknowledge our ignorant mistake to those who don’t know the staff members personally. I would never tolerate hate speech with ill intentions in my newspaper. Thank you for your concern, Star Diavolikis
The Observer Staff Editor-in-Chief Star Diavolikis News Editors Libby Williams
Copy Desk Chief Katlyn White Assistant Copy Editor Addie Adkins
Sports Editor Jared Galanti Opinion Editor Katlyn White Orientation Editor Addie Adkins Online Editor Crystal Clausen Assistant Online Editor Emily LaFave
Faculty Adviser Jennifer Green
Jennifer.Green@cwu.edu
Megan Rogers Wayne Gray Milenne Quinonez Chase Beyer
Evan Couch
Scene Editor Katherine Camarata
Staff Reporters
Editorial Consultant Francesco Somaini
Jacqueline Hixssen Isaac Hinson
Graphic Designers Sarah Stewart Blake Wells
Photographer Brevin Ross
Editorial Policy: The Observer is a public forum for student expression,
Joshua Kornfeld Elliott Watkins Morgana Carroll Mary Miller
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 11, 2022
THE
DIVERSITY PAGE
Sharing perspectives
Supporting awareness
Students walked in a fashion show, performed and ate samosas to celebrate Africa. Photos by Katherine Camarata/The Observer
African Night “Ubuntu” shines a spotlight on African culture at CWU By Katherine Camarata & Elliott Watkins Scene Editor & Staff Reporter An eruption of laughter resonated around the SURC Ballroom as two members of the audience weaved their way from their seats to the stage, bathed in purple lighting in front of the crowd. Comedian and host of African Night Ubuntu, General Mutombo, invited the pair to have a dance-off to a thumping Afrobeats song, while each side of the audience judged who had the best moves and the DJ accented each joke with alarm-like sound effects that ignited the room. The event held on Saturday, May 7 was hosted by the Central African Student Association (CASA) for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and organizers said they wanted the night to be special. “We went a bit extravagant which is what we wanted,” CASA President and sophomore in law and justice and political science Ibtisam Sivoy said. Sivoy said African Night is a celebration of African fashion, traditions and culture. “I want people to see the beauty of Africa the same way they see the beauty of Europe,” Sivoy said.
“There is a lot unseen. I want people to be like, ‘I am going to vacation in Nigeria, I’m going to vacation in Ghana.’” Marketing major and CASA representative Atong Miyar said the event is meant to extend a welcoming hand to African students and allow non-African students to better understand African cultures. Miyar said the event was very formal and the theme was “Ubuntu.” “Ubuntu translates loosely to ‘I am because you are.’ It means to unite us essentially,” Miyar said. “One thing about African culture that we all have in common is we like to boom big. Always … Everything from your dress, to the music, everything has to be tip-top shape.” Impact of African Night This event included a fashion show, a short play, photo opportunities, a red carpet, a full banquet of food, live music, poetry and dances while the audience screamed. Catherine Lumeya, a senior in public health who helped plan the event, said her favorite parts of the evening included the emcee and his entertaining jokes, as well as the performances. Victoria Dennis, a senior in psychology, choreographed over
a dozen dance pieces for various students to perform. “I want to show them that all the nights of us coming together, practicing over and over and over … everything was worth it,” Dennis said. “You can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.” Dennis said she feels African Night is important because it allows Africans to come together in a safe space. “To know that we got each other, this group of people will
“I want to make African students proud of who they are and where they come from.” CASA Vice President Anderson Nsabanga
always be there to guide you, you can come and express yourself and there’s no judgment, it’s very important to see that on a college campus mostly full of white people,” Dennis said. Ellensburg has little to no African eatery options. According to Miyar, the ability to eat African cuisine allows her to feel in touch with her roots. The menu included puff-puffs, little balls of dough covered in powdered sug-
ar, and beef and vegetable samosas among other dishes. “The foods were chosen because we wanted to touch base around the continent,” Lumeya said. “We thought of food that we can find everywhere, samosas can be found everywhere around Africa. The beef, although it was cooked in east African style, you can find [it] in different countries. The rice you can also find in different countries, but it was mostly west African. We tried to touch everywhere so that we have a little bit of diversity.” African Night exemplified the values within an array of African cultures present in this community. “I can’t really find that touch of culture around here,” Miyar said. “By having African Night, I get to see a touch of my culture being showcased whether it might not be mine specifically, but it’s someone else’s I can still relate to.” Sivoy said she hoped this event showed the other side of Africa that people may be unaware of because it is not often depicted in the media. Community engagement “When people think of Africa, they think poor,” Sivoy said. “They think Africa is desert or there are no cars, nothing fun to do. I want
people to know what we do, our traditions. I want people to know what we do when somebody loses someone. It’s the whole African continent losing someone.” According to Miyar, African cultures are less individualistic than western cultures. Public health major and CASA Vice President Anderson Nsabanga said African Night is important because it brings African students together with people of all backgrounds. “I want to make African students proud of who they are and where they come from,” Nsabanga said. Everyone who is interested in attending CASA events are welcome to attend and appreciate African culture, according to Nsabanga. According to freshman in psychology Gwendolyn Perry who attended the event, African Night lifted her spirits and served as a prime opportunity for those who haven’t had as much exposure to Africa. “It introduces people to different cultures and makes diversity less intimidating for people who haven’t experienced as much diversity in their home life,” Perry said. “It’s very educational and fun. People can experience it firsthand.”
“We’re role models for the community. We do a lot of community service, especially during the offseason [at] local elementary schools. So, knowing that we have people looking up to us, I feel like that pushes us to want to do better.” Kiera Bush
Redshirt Junior Forward Kiera Bush locks eyes on the basket on her way up. Photo courtesy of Jason Thompson/Thompson Sports Photography
Women’s basketball takes pride in accomplishments on and off the court By Chase Beyer Staff Reporter The women’s basketball team has had accomplishments on the court and in the classroom this season. The team had a cumulative 3.65 GPA during the winter quarter this year, with five players having a 4.0 GPA and 10 players with a 3.5 GPA or higher, during the season. “We do take pride in it a lot and it’s definitely because we are athletes, [we’re] competitive,” redshirt sophomore guard Tori Maeda said. While the team is competitive in the classroom and on the court, when it is within the team, it is all about support. “[Whenever] I hear that somebody gets an amazing grade whether or not we’re in the same class, I am going to be happy for them,” redshirt junior forward Kiera Bush said. “We know what we’re all going through.”
According to Bush, athletics has systems in place to assist athletes with their school work, such as providing access to tutors and extra help. “They get us connected with a tutor or another student-athlete that’s taken the class before and it’s connections like those that help us stay on track,” Bush said. When the women’s basketball team travels for away games, Bush said she does her school work whenever she can. “Whether it’s on the bus or waiting in the airport and sitting inside the hotel room,” Bush said. “Whenever you get the chance, we fit it in.” Maeda said the expectations and standards that the head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley emphasizes are the three pillars: compete, learn and love. “We are always competing and we always know that we’re not just
representing ourselves but also the school and our program,” Maeda said. “It’s more than just holding ourselves to these high standards.” Those high standards Richardson-Thornley sets are not just held in the classroom or on the court, but also in the community as well. “We’re role models for the community,” Bush said. “We do a lot of community service, especially during the offseason [at] local elementary schools. So, knowing that we have people looking up to us, I feel like that pushes us to want to do better.” The women’s basketball team visits local elementary schools weekly to help out teachers and visit the classrooms. “It’s a great thing to put ourselves out there and show them that athletes aren’t just like the stereotypical athlete, but we can also be good people and good students,” Maeda said.
Women’s softball wins one of three at GNAC tournament By Jacqueline Hixssen Staff Reporter The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) softball tournament started last Thursday, May 5. After many changes to the schedule due to weather, the tournament officially took place at Gary and Bobbi Frederick Field in Ellensburg. CWU entered the tournament as the fourth seed in the four team, double elimination tournament. Game One: CWU’s first opponent was number one seed Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), where CWU clinched the win 4-1. The game was scoreless until the third inning. The Wildcats took the lead during the third inning. With bases loaded, junior catcher and infielder Alyssa Benthagen sent a ball to right
center allowing all three bases to score, putting CWU up 3-0 on NNU. Both CWU and NNU scored a run in the seventh inning, finalizing the final score of 4-1. Rhaney Harris threw a complete game allowing only two hits and three walks. Game Two: After securing their first win, CWU took on number two seeded Saint Martin’s University (SMU). Much like game one, neither team could score throughout the first half of the game. Harris again remained on the mound for game two, shutting down SMU’s lineup. At the top of the fifth inning, SMU had two singles on bases when Olivia Schmidt sent one right center allowing SMU to go up 2-0. The sixth inning went scoreless for both teams and
during the seventh inning Ellensburg’s rain forced a 32-minute rain delay. Once the rain delay was over and the game had continued, SMU scored right runs against CWU pitching to win the game 10-0. Game Three: After the loss against SMU, CWU faced NNU again in game three. Due to both teams having a loss earlier in the tournament, whoever lost the game would see their tournament end. NNU struck first in the bottom of the first to grab a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless third inning, another rain delay was implemented, this time for 81 minutes. The game continued and led to another scoreless inning throughout the fourth. At the top of the fifth, CWU Makenna King and Jillian Hampson both hit singles to put run-
ners on first and second base with no outs. With King and Hampson now in scoring position, CWU batters hit a ground out followed by a strike out and another ground out, leaving CWU scoreless heading into the bottom of the fifth. During the bottom of the fifth, the Nighthawks had runners on second and third. NNU secured one run before being thrown out by Brooke Jordan. In the top of the sixth inning, CWU avoided being shut out. Jordan hit a single putting her on first base. Benthagen then hit a double allowing Jordan to score and put CWU on the scoreboard. CWU started the seventh inning down 2-1. With one last chance to tie the game, NNU’s pitcher shut down any chance CWU had for a rally and ended their season with a 2-1 loss.
“We are always competing and we always know that we’re not just representing ourselves but also the school and our program. It’s more than just holding ourselves to these high standards.” Tori Maeda
OPINION SPORTS
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Edith and Ethel: Ask the Aunties By ‘Edith and Ethel’ Columnists Dear Aunties, Mother’s Day happened, and it kinda bummed me out since my relationship with my mom isn’t the best. Am I just bitter? - Signed, Emotionally Resigned
May 11, 2022
Opinion: Everyone should learn how to fly a plane
Edith: I get it, having these rough relationships sucks. But, you just have to think of the motherly figures in your life - do you have a middle school teacher who went the extra mile for you? Or a friend who takes care of you while blackout drunk? Thank them next Mother’s Day. Ethel: As someone who grew up with an absentee father, I understand completely. It’s never easy being in a non-nuclear family model. I generally used Father’s Day to thank my uncles for being a positive male role model, but nowadays, I just thank my mom and aunt. Edith: The day can just be used for thanking anyone who may have helped out one way or another. I thanked my professor for being very helpful and a great inspiration to my life. I do have a great relationship with my mother, however, it doesn’t just need to be a day for bio moms. Ethel: Bottom line, I don’t think you are bitter. But also, I think there are plenty of ways to participate in Mother’s Day if you want to. But also, don’t be afraid to have it just be another day. Edith: Exactly. You’re not bitter, you’re just upset. And it’s okay to be upset. Relationships are tricky, scary and simply overwhelming. Don’t worry about it! If somebody asks you why you’re sad over Mother’s Day, just say it’s because you miss being with their mom. Ethel: That’s the best “yo mama” joke I’ve heard in a hot minute. Alternatively, if you’re feeling up to it, you could tell people you don’t have the best relationship with your mom and watch them squirm as they try to pull their foot out of their mouth. Edith: You can answer in whatever mood you’re feeling up to, and make sure you take it easy for the day. Even if it’s “just a day,” if it’s taking a toll on you, make sure you’re grounding yourself and taking care. This “simple day” can be painful if you have a bad relationship with your mother or if she passed away, so don’t feel guilty! Ethel: So, Emotionally Resigned, I hope this helps. You’re not bitter, and it’s valid to feel bummed about it. But there are also alternative ways to celebrate if you’re up for it!
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submit your questions to cwuobserver@gmail.com (all questions will remain anonymous)
Sunset over Point Mackenzie, Alaska from the cockpit of a Piper PA-30. Photo by Jacqueline Hixssen/The Observer
By Jacqueline Hixssen Columnist Everyone should learn how to fly a plane. The outside knowledge it provides will live with you throughout your lifetime. Nothing gives more self-satisfaction than landing a plane by yourself for the first time. The Basics Behind Flying You can fly a plane by yourself, or solo, as early as age 16. Once you solo, you can fly anywhere you please with your instructor’s sign off. Once you get 40 hours and reach the age of 17, you can obtain a private pilot’s license. From there you have a full range of flying and can bring your friends to experience flying with you. When you initially think of flying a plane you may think it is overwhelming and terrifying to do, but maybe that should be your reasoning to learn how to fly. No instructor will allow you to solo unless they are 100% sure you are capable of
flying the plane, which should be reassuring. As someone who has solo’d, I realize the terror that comes while preparing for your first solo, but it is worth it. Once your wheels are up and you have entered the pattern, it is smooth sailing. You will experience self control like you have never before. You will feel a tranquility fall over your body when your wheels squeak on your first solo landing; and from there you will fall in love with living above the clouds. Outside Knowledge Flying Provides You Flying can also be informational. You will learn communication skills through speaking to Air Traffic Control (ATC), how to stay calm during emergencies and you’ll be able to learn about the scenery and nature around you in a completely different way. Communication skills may not be the first thing you think of when you think of being a good
pilot, but it is important. Speaking slow and precise is vital for successful communication between the pilots and ATC. They will read information to you and you must be paying attention and reiterate the information back to ATC. The communication skills you obtain from flying are especially important because they teach you how to speak to people in a way to get your message across. Freaking out during an emergency is the worst thing to do. While learning how to fly your instructor will do simulated emergencies. You will most likely practice an engine out and a stall. They do this so you know how to recover in case an event like this happens in real life. It teaches you to stay calm, communicate and figure out your best way of survival. You don’t have time to have a freak out moment when you are losing 5,000 feet per minute, you learn how to stay calm and collected. When your instructor pulls power back to simulate an engine
out without your knowledge, you quickly learn to go through your muscle memory to sustain altitude and prevent a crash landing. It sounds intimidating but once you do it for the first time, you realize a different type of trust within yourself. If you love beautiful scenery, flying may be up your ally. Being able to see mountains, rivers and the oceans from the air is truly a different experience. Flying enables you to love your surroundings in a different aspect that you can not experience elsewhere. Besides the life experiences flying gives you, it is also a slight flex to say you can fly a plane. Times are changing, women in flying was never popular until recently. Flight organizations all over the world are urging women to learn how to fly. As the male dominant career is slowly turning neutral, everyone should go out and learn how to fly. It may even settle your nerves while flying on commercial planes.
Opinion: 4-H is an extremely beneficial program for children to join By Megan Rogers Columnist 4-H is one of the most beneficial programs that a child can join. 4-H works with youth 5-18 years old and strives to bring out the potential in them and make them strong leaders. According to uwyo.com, “The purpose of 4-H is to help youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive members of society.” According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a former member, Molly Kolano, said, “During my several years in 4-H, I developed leadership skills through member demonstrations, project meetings and community service activities.” 4-H has a long history of helping youth. According to their official website, 4-h.org, “For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed
young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.” In 2014, I joined 4-H’s dog project. A huge part of 4-H, besides showing our dogs, of course, is educating the public on dogs. We do this in two ways: talking with the public as they walk through the dog barn at the county fair, as well as public presentations. I was 12 and I wouldn’t talk to anyone at the fair or even in my club, and the thought of public presentations absolutely terrified me. But as the years went on, I became more confident in speaking to the public. The members of my 4-H club became some of my best friends. I also took on a leadership role as president of my club my last year in 4-H. Not only does 4-H help bring out the confidence in its mem-
bers but in the animals as well. In 4-H, I showed my American Shaffire Terrier mix. When we first adopted her, she was absolutely terrified of everything and everyone. Through 4-H and interactions with the public, she has be-
come a more confident dog. She no longer hides behind me while in public, and while still wary of strangers, she tends to warm up to them quickly. I highly suggest 4-H to anyone because it will help you build lifelong skills that you will use forever.
Photo courtesy of pexels.com
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May 11, 2022
CWU baseball loses final series of season By Jared Galanti Sports Editor CWU baseball lost three out of the four games in the final series of the season against Montana State University Billings (MSUB) this past weekend. CWU (14-35) finished the year in fifth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) standings and won’t qualify for the GNAC tournament that begins on May 12. Day One The series started with backto-back losses on Thursday, May 5 by the counts of 7-4 and 12-11. In game one of the doubleheader, CWU took the lead in the top of the first inning when junior center fielder Adam Fahsel stole home plate to give CWU a 1-0 lead. At the bottom of the first inning, MSUB hit three doubles while walking in between to score three runs to take a 3-1 lead. MSUB added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning due to three straight two out hits that led to two runs being scored and them taking a 5-1 lead. Freshman first baseman Drew Richardson let CWU cut the lead 5-2 in the top of the fourth inning, In the bottom of the fifth inning, MSUB scored two runs when a flyball was caught by the CWU outfielder but a run
scored and a bases loaded walk made the score 7-2. The lead would be cut down to 7-4 with a run in the sixth inning and one in the eighth inning. Game two of the doubleheader started with CWU once again scoring in the top of the first inning on a solo home run by Fahsel to give them a 1-0 lead. A three-run home run by junior outfielder Tyler McClain in the top of the third extended CWU’s lead to 4-0. MSUB would come back, scoring one in the bottom of the third and fifth innings to take a 6-4 lead. An RBI single by senior designated hitter Michael Peter allowed CWU to cut the lead to 6-5. MSUB would tack on three more in the bottom of the inning to extend their lead to 9-5. CWU would then score one in the sixth inning to shrink the lead to 9-6. They would then score five in the top of the seventh inning due to a two run double by sophomore catcher Austin Ohland and another three-run home run by McClain. A three run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning allowed MSUB to take the lead and eventually hold on to win the game 12-11. Day Two On Friday, May 6, CWU won one out of the last two regular sea-
son games to close out their season. They won the first game 17-12 and lost the final game 9-8. Junior infielder Charlie Larson got the scoring started for CWU with a RBI single in the first inning. Three runs would score in the inning to get CWU off to a 3-0 lead. After MSUB scored four times in the bottom of the first inning, CWU responded in the top of the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Ohland to tie the game at 4-4. MSUB scored six combined in the second, third and fifth innings to take a 10-4 lead. CWU scored one in the seventh inning on a McClain steal of home, 10 runs in the eighth inning and two in the ninth inning which included three RBIs by Fahsel in those innings to give CWU a 17-12 victory. CWU’s final game of the season resulted in a 9-8 loss in seven innings. MSUB scored all nine of their runs in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings of this game. CWU didn’t score until the top of the sixth inning, where they scored three runs due to a two run single by senior outfielder Michael Copeland to cut the lead to 9-3. Even though they rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh inning due in part to a three run home run by Copeland to cut the lead to 9-8, CWU wouldn’t be able to push the tying run across and ended the season losing 9-8.
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SPORTS
Spring sports look forward to championships By Isaac Hinson Staff Reporter
7’s National Championship in Kennesaw, Georgia.
For spring season student-athletes, this is the time where they finally get to put what they’ve been working on all year during practices on the field.
Baseball and Softball Following going 16-14 in the shortened 2020-21 season, the teams first winning record since 2018, the CWU Baseball team came into this season with a moderate standard to live up to. The Wildcats split the opening series 2-2 with the College of Idaho and had a three game winning streak in the middle of the season against Western Oregon University and Northwest Nazarene University. Overall, the team went 14-34 for a .292 winning percentage and went 8-23 in conference play for a .258 winning percentage. They went 7-13 at home and 7-21 away. In their first losing season since 2015, the softball team still received a spot at the GNAC National Championships as the fourth seed, going 20-26 overall this season, with a 10-14 record in conference play. After a 1-4 record at the Montana State University Billings Desert Stinger softball tournament to begin the season, the Wildcats quickly turned it around, winning or tying five of their next seven series. They then went into the Tournament of Champions and left with a 3-2 record. Finishing their last 12 games 4-8 earned their ticket to the GNAC National Championship.
Rugby Being CWU’s lone NCAA Division I (DI) sports representative, the rugby program holds a lot of expectations going into each season. The last full season the men’s team played was the 2019-20 season, where they had an undefeated record of 8-0. In their first full season back, the men’s team went 7-5, going 3-2 at home and carried a 4-3 away record. The team began their season with a 4-0 record, including two shutouts against Trinity Western University and the University of Washington, who they beat 24-0 and 88-0. From there, the schedule included match-ups against the number four ranked University of California, the number one ranked Saint Mary’s University, the number three ranked Brigham Young University (BYU), the number 13 ranked United States Military Academy and the number 19 ranked University of Arizona (UA). Of those teams, the Wildcats only won over Arizona, who they beat 60-13. In the midst of those match-ups, CWU did manage to beat the Seattle Rugby Club by a final score of 50-14. This was enough to qualify them for the DIA National Championships for the first time since the 2018-19 season. During the championships, the Wildcats beat California Polytecnic State University at home 62-17 before traveling to University of California where the Wildcats fell short by a score of 43-26. After going 4-2 in 2020-21, the women’s rugby team started their season in the fall going 0-2, losing to BYU 17-20 and to Lindenwood University 7-36. They turned things around in the spring, beating Seattle Rugby Club twice, first 29-5 and then 34-5. The team then lost to BYU 18-14. Disregarding two canceled games, the women’s team went 2-3 in the regular season. They then went to the USA DI Elite Playoffs and were shut out by Life University with a score of 38-0, ending the possibility of making any sort of run in the playoffs. Both rugby teams will compete at the USA Rugby College
Track and Field The outdoor competing season for track and field began at the beginning of March. In the first meet of the outdoor season, three Wildcats won their respective events. Senior Meagan Smallbeck won the weight throw, graduate student Austin Albertin took home first place in the 400m dash and junior Lauryn Chandler beat her competition in the 60m hurdles. Smallbeck set a then-new personal record, throwing 17.33 meters. Three Wildcats set personal records at the Willie Williams Classic event: Albertin in the men’s 400m dash with a time of 48.8 seconds, freshman Aiden Wise in the men’s 110 hurdles with a time of 15.23 seconds and junior McCall DeChenne set two, one in 400m hurdles and another in the women’s 400m dash which she ran in 1:01.60 and 56.97 seconds respectively. DeChenne’s 1:01.60 time in the 400m hurdles, while a personal record, was also good enough to qualify as a provisional time for nationals.
EVENTS
Page 08
May 11, 2022
Wildcat Words: Smooch, marry, ignore?
Karina Lopez-Marino
Jennifer Thach
Zaron Zappone
Elena Moore
Filemon Beni
Sr. Accounting and business
Fr. Undeclared
Jr. Buisness
Jr. Business
So. Mechanical Engineering
Smooch: Zayn Malik Marry: Harry Styles Ignore: Justin Beiber
Smooch: Justin Beiber Marry: Zayn Malik Ignore: Harry Styles
Smooch: Maddie & Tae Marry: Raelynn Ignore: Olivia Rodrigo
Smooch: Blake Shelton Marry: Riley Green Ignore: Olivia Rodrigo
QA & &
with
AMY
HOOVER Meet Amy Hoover, a professor of aviation, who recently was awarded the National Certified Flight Instructor of the Year by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and General Aviation Awards Industry Board. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in geology, a master’s degree in geology, and a doctorate in education. Hoover has written approximately 25 published articles, over a dozen scholarly publications, given more than 100 presentations on mountain and canyon flying and in 2019 published “Mountain, Canyon, and Backcountry Flying” a flying guide. Q: Where did your passion for aviation education stem from?
A: I was flying as a commercial bush pilot in the Idaho backcountry and was teaching flying as a side job. I discovered I loved introducing people to flying, and it fit well with my previous experience as a music teacher and university instructor during the time I was in graduate school. Q: What does receiving the National Certified Flight Instructor of the Year award mean to you?
A: I am honored to be recognized and am appreciative that my outreach, mentoring, and other efforts to support students and pilots obtain their goals was important to the people who nominated me and to the FAA and the industry selection board for recognizing that. Q: What was the best part of writing a book about an industry you’re passionate about?
A: The best part was being able to present an accumulated knowledge from me and the other contributors to promote safe flying practices in a unique environment (mountain, canyon, and backcountry flying) and to help pilots broaden their perspective and have fun while enjoying that type of flying. It was also fun to do the photography and integrate it into the book, and to collect the stories that are included from other pilots that enhance the technical component of the book. Q: What destination has been your favorite to fly yourself to?
A: I have spent the last 30+ years flying all over the US and into Canada, and my favorite locations are still the wilderness areas of central Idaho where I teach backcountry flying. The area is a destination for pilots around the world as it allows access into remote areas only reached by plane, raft or horseback/walking. Q: What has been your most memorable moment at CWU?
A: My most memorable moment(s) at CWU have always been when our students succeed, graduate and achieve their educational and career goals.
Smooch: Zendaya Marry: Beyonce Ignore: Kim Kardashian
weekly events
12 THURS
13 FRI
14 SAT
15
4-8 p.m. Sunset Paddle Boarding @ OPR Patio 5-7 p.m. 2022 Grad Celebration @ CWU Alumni Plaza 10-11 p.m. Improv Night The Hot New Jam @ SURC Uncontested Theater 210 Withdrawal Period Deadline 3:30-5 p.m. Roe v. Wade TeachIn @ Brooks Library
6-8 p.m. Raices Graduation 2022 @ SURC Ballroom 7:30-10 p.m. Spring Awakening @ McConnell Hall 129
National Pickle Day 12-4 p.m. Yoga Paddle Boarding @ OPR Patio
SUN
16 MON
1-2 p.m. ASCWU Public Meeting @ SURC Pit (100C) 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Monday Movie Madness: Marry Me @ SURC Theater (210)
17
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
TUES
18 WED
7-8 p.m. Composition Studio Recital @ McIntyre Hall 174 1-2 p.m. Wellness Wednesday
@ SURC 256 8-10 p.m. Geek Out, Game Out @ SURC 137A/B
Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I am not sure if I am officially “grown up” yet … But I have always wanted to go into space. Photo courtesy of Amy Hoover Wildcat Words - Jacqueline Hixssen, Q&A - Crystal Clausen
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