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Scene
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Opinion
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Sports
Events
May 18, 2022
Vol. 122 NO. 7
By the students, for the students
CWU Chief of Police inducted to RAD Hall of Fame By Megan Rogers Staff Reporter
Kittitas County prepares for wildfire season Kittitas County Fire and Rescue host informative events about wildfire prevention. Photo by Wayne Gray/The Observer
By Wayne Gray Staff Reporter Every year, the Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue (KVFR) team work on combating a major issue - wildfires. Wildfires stem from many causes, including developments and mismanaged private properties. Because these causes are ongoing, KVFR looks to educate themselves and the public on how to prevent wildfire damage. Sinclair said Kittitas County will continue to experience severe wildfires due to human interactions with the landscape, but communities can limit fire frequency and damages by properly managing lands. “You either manage the forest, or mother nature does,” Sinclair said. “Mother nature only has one tool, and that’s fire.” At a community education event hosted by KVFR on May 8 at Station 2-9, fire management personnel discussed the primary causes of wildfires and how to prevent them. At the event, Sinclair referred to the intersection of human development, nature and the interactions that occur because of it as the Wildland Urban Interface. Sinclair said humans are the primary cause of fires, and as Kittitas County continues to grow, so will the risk of large scale fires. Sinclair said past fire management efforts adopted an approach that called for every fire to be extinguished rather than controlled, and that approach has resulted in an “overstock” of dry, dead growth that would have otherwise burned away. “We took an approach that we put out every fire,” Sinclair
said. “We weren’t doing enough prescriptive burns.” Sinclair said in overgrown areas, fires can be caused by common roadway hazards such as sparks from unsecured chains dragging on pavement or auto accidents if roadside brush isn’t cleared away. According to Sinclair, all of these factors have been made worse by climate change and are contributing to wildfires in an unprecedented way. “When I was a kid, we didn’t have fires like we do now,” Sinclair said. “It used to be that a fire of 1,000 acres was a big fire and now we’re getting 100,000 acre fires, 20,000 acre fires, 10,000 acre fires.” According to Deputy Chief Rich Elliott the shrub-steppe and grasslands are problem areas for fires. Elliot’s statements align with CWU Professor Megan “Walsh’s previous interview (see “CWU professor says invasive grasses and wildfires are a growing problem for Washington ecosystems”). Walsh said the proliferation of invasive grasses contributes to a fire cycle, the effects of which grow worse after each fire, destroying native plant growth and increasing the risk of wildfires in Kittitas County. Fire Management Officers Spencer Slyfield and Court Martin from the Washington Department of Natural Resources said they often encounter properties that either have large areas of brush or dead standing trees. Slyfield said properties in Northern Kittitas County face unique risks due to their rural location, often narrow access roads and close proximity to forests.
Slyfield said fires that occur at rural properties, while seemingly isolated, put more populated areas at risk as well. “You could get ember showers a mile away,” Slyfield said. Slyfield and Martin said the narrow access roads, preferred by many rural property owners, may provide security but constrain fire response efforts. Martin said other concerns for firefighters are gated communities, especially those that don’t have procedures in place to allow access for emergency vehicles. “Gated communities are becoming a larger and larger problem,” Martin said. According to Sinclair, property owners in Kittitas County that live elsewhere are problematic because maintaining fire safety year-round and establishing communication with property owners in the event of a fire can prove difficult. “There’s a lot more that we can be doing as humans to lessen the fire problem, especially as it relates to in and around homes,” Sinclair said. Martin said even when property owners make efforts to maintain fire safety by trimming back brush and dead trees, they create a larger fire risk if they don’t properly dispose of the trimmings. Slyfield said that most property owners comply with requests to clear away fire dangers. “More often than not, land owners are willing,” Slyfield said. “We’re there to educate and help them out.” Sinclair, Slyfield and Martin said the education event was one of many, with hopes to host more like it as wildfire season approaches.
The CWU Chief of Police Jason Berthon-Koch with the CWU Police Department was inducted into the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) hall of fame. Berthon-Koch has been teaching RAD classes for 18 years. “I was very honored by the fact that I was selected for this,” Berthon-Koch said. “It is an individual award given to me, but I couldn’t do the teachings and we couldn’t get what we have at to the level that we’re at now, without all of the assistance and Police Chief Jason Berthon-Koch the help from the CWU police CWU was named into the RAD hall of fame. instructors, the RAD instructors.” Photo courtesy of CWU RAD allows Berthon-Koch to teach people how to defend them- ter and the 2016 Susan B. Anthoselves in dangerous situations. ny Award from RAD Systems Inc. According to the official RAD Berthon-Koch was born in Elwebsite, their purpose is to “pro- lensburg, but grew up in Fresno, vide a truly holistic approach to California. After high school, he self-defense education, support- joined the U.S. Coast Guard and ing the necessity of continuous later moved back to Ellensburg. learning in order to provide realBerthon-Koch was an acistic options for each population counting major at CWU. He beas they go through life.” came a Kittitas County Sheriff’s Berthon-Koch said he first dis- reserve and said he fell in love covered RAD in the early 2000s. with law enforcement. He was “I was looking for a program also a corrections officer at Kittito bring to campus to support tas County Corrections Center. students at that time, to teach “I love having the ability to them personal safety and to help someone who in most cases teach them ideas on how to be is experiencing their worst day safe in life,” Berthon-Koch said. ever,” Berthon-Koch said. “I came across the RAD proAssistant Chief Eric Twaites, gram and it fit everything that who has been working alongside we wanted to teach.” Berthon-Koch for over 22 years, Berthon-Koch said one said one of Berthon-Koch’s greatpart of RAD is learning about est qualities is his compassion. risk reduction. “He has an absolute passion “We start out and we dis- for community service,” Twaitcuss in-depth on personal safety es said. “Whether that’s been the [and] how to reduce our risks of focal point of the department or becoming a victim of a crime,” being out there with the othBerthon-Koch said. “We talk er officers making sure that we about safety in your home, we provide the best service to our talk about safety in your car, as community.” you’re traveling [and] safety in Twaites also said that Beran elevator.” thon-Koch has a “servant’s heart” Along with his recent induc- and wants to make sure everyone tion into the RAD Hall of Fame, is safe and secure. Berthon-Koch has also won other Berthon-Koch said it is imawards including the 2004 CWU portant to have self-defense classes Police Officer of the year. He was on college campuses. also the recipient of the Keys to “Things can happen anySuccess Award from the Center time,” Berthon-Koch said. “It’s for Student Empowerment at important to spend some time CWU, Law Enforcement Hero on understanding how we all Award given by the American can be safe in a world that someRed Cross Kittitas County Chap- times is not safe.”
A LOOK BEYOND
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May 18, 2022
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
The College of Business will bring two new certificates related to Washington’s growing food and agriculture industries, according to CWU News. Right at School, a national childcare program for students K-5, may leave the Ellensburg School District after this academic year. In order to remain open, the program needs 150 students registered, currently, they have only 27 students registered. The cost per student for a full week is $415, according to the Daily Record.
World
A shooting in Buffalo killed 10 people in a grocery store on May 14. According to the New York Times, the attack was after the suspect posted a “racist screed online, expressing admiration for other mass-shooting gunmen and a white supremacist ideology.” President Biden will redeploy troops to Somalia, reestablishing a U.S. military presence in the country, according to BBC. The deployment is in response to the Islamic militant group, al-Shabab.
The Cle Elum - Roslyn school district’s pursuit of a new superintendent has been narrowed down to three qualified candidates, according to the Daily Record.
U.S. COVID-19 death toll reaches 1 million, and as summer spikes loom and COVID-19 relief funding is being continuously cut and the future of accessible vaccines is in question, according to US News.
The Queens of Spades Gardening Club held its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 14, according to the Daily Record.
One dead and five injured in a shooting at a Taiwanese church in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 15, according to NBC News. The U.S. sees a continued infant formula shortage due to a recall in February along with supply chain issues and labor shortages, according to U.S. News. The White House announced Thursday steps the administration has taken to mitigate the issue including increasing foreign import of formula, cutting red tape to get more supply to retailers and asking state leaders to be strict on price gouging.
S weden joins Finland in NATO bid, according to NBC News. This breaks their long-time neutral standing and deals a serious diplomatic blow to Russia. Ukrainian military intelligence officials have reported that Vladimir Putin’s health is suffering, according to Hindustan Times. Putin’s health has been under scrutiny by various news outlets and intelligence officials since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. An Indonesian tourist bus smashed into a billboard, killing 14 and injuring 19. According to ABC News, the bus from Surabaya crashed into a billboard on Indonesia’s main island of Java. McDonald’s announced it will sell its Russian business, according to the Associated Press. The Chicago-based fast-food giant said in early March that it was temporarily closing its stores in Russia but would continue to pay its employees. A ransomware gang is threatening to overthrow the Costa Rican government after they hacked their computer systems, according to AP News. AP News said that it may be because the president has only been in office for a week.
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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 18, 2022
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission discusses concerns and Pride month By Elliott Watkins Staff Reporter The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Commission of Ellensburg discussed LGBTQ+ centric issues at their meeting on Tuesday, May 10. To begin the meeting, the agenda was approved by the commission members; it included the staff briefing from City of Ellensburg Human Relations Director Lisa Young, a discussion about the hate crime that recently happened at the Ellensburg High School (EHS), a review of DEI proclamations for the month of June regarding Pride, subcommittee reports and public comments. The DEI was established in 2020, and has seven committee members. Those members are Mayra Colazo, Tylene Carnell, Kandee Cleary, Daniel Amos, Teresa Divine, Sara Omrani and City Council Member and Commission Chair Nancy Goodloe. “We have people in this town that have lived experiences that are different from what others perceive experiences in this town to be. It is time that those living experiences are recognized,” Carnell said. The staff briefing from Young emphasized the importance of breaking down implicit biases in the community. According to Young, there are many workshops she plans to attend and two she has attended that showcase the systemic biases people face when seeking employment. After the staff briefing, the commission discussed the ways they could respond to the EHS hate crime (see “Ellensburg High School takes precaution against threats towards LGBTQ+ students”). The DEI wrote a letter to the city council and the EHS school board asking to become a united front against discrimination in the community. The DEI declared they believe the acts of hate at EHS were more severe than bullying, and should be classified as acts of discrimination and intimidation. “The DEI Commission supports the parents, families, and student victims targeted in the Ellensburg School District (ESD) incident, as well as those targeted in other incidents in Ellensburg,” the DEI Commission said in their letter. The letter stated: “We call on the Ellensburg City Council, the Ellensburg School District, and Central Washington University to unite in a public statement against bullying, in our community, in the school district, and on the CWU campus.”
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The letter also invited community members to help create more welcoming opportunities for diverse peoples and acknowledge the differences in our community as a strength. The meeting transitioned into a conversation about implementing LGBTQ+-friendly events and celebrations during Pride Month. The DEI discussed pride ideas they could execute at the Farmer’s Market in Ellensburg throughout the month of June. According to Public Information Officer for the City of Ellensburg, Nicole Klauss, the work that is being done by the DEI commission is extremely important, and based on a series of listening tours that a subcommittee of city council members did in 2020. “They learned about all of the work that there is to be done surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in the city,” Klauss said. “This commission was formed as a result of what they learned and is now tasked with working on all of those things.” According to Goodloe, student involvement would be game-changing for the DEI commission and inclusivity in Ellensburg. “That will be the key to the success of the DEI commission and what we do … whether or not we can find a good way to bring community members together that want to be allies and want to support what we are doing,” Goodloe said. According to Klauss, there is a website that the DEI is involved with that allows community members to express their thoughts. While the DEI commission is still establishing itself in the community, DEI members encourage the people of Ellensburg to show up to meetings, and to reach out at beheardeburg.com with their experiences related to DEI issues in Ellensburg. “If you want to find out specifically about the meeting topics, you can go to our website ci.ellensburg. wa.us and we have a page that has all of our agendas and minutes for the commission,” Klauss said.
SCENE
CWU clubs support women’s success By Joshua Kornfeld Staff Reporter According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the U.S. gender gap for employment is 11.2% as of Nov. 2021, with women representing about 55.2% of the labor force while men represent 66.4%. Globally, women represent 47% of the labor force while men represent 72% according to the ILO. The Thomas Reuters Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation asked over 9,000 women at work in developed and developing countries including the U.S. and EU about barriers faced, with 4 in 10 women reporting gender pay gap as a key issue, according to The Atlantic. CWU is home to multiple clubs that support women and combat gender inequality. Women in Business One such club, Women In Business (WIB), is centered around a mission, “To empower women, and to give them … experience that they need to succeed in the workforce,” according to senior in graphic design and marketing management and Women in Business member Leila Haji. “Though professors are preparing us for the world, not a lot of them know what it’s like from a female perspective,” Haji said. Haji said one misconception is that men may traditionally think women can’t do the same jobs as men, and the experiences they have aren’t necessarily the same. Women joining the workforce face hidden barriers their male counterparts don’t have to deal with, such as balancing work and family life. “It’s mainly male professors that talk about a lot of good experiences,” Haji said. “While my female professors don’t really talk about it as much, it’s likely because they didn’t have as many positive experiences as male professors have.”
Shanley Olson, an undeclared freshman, also joined the WIB club in October 2021. “We learn about business and get to ask guest speakers questions and connect with them, which is a really important part of being in college,” Olson said. Olson said that one major barrier women joining the workforce may face is the misconception that women can’t be successful in business like their male counterparts. “A lot of men think women should be working in the kitchen,” Olson said. Haji said the WIB club has a wide variety of events in person, such as in-person team building events. Haji said one way the club supports breaking down barriers is by sharing resources with members. Resources are frequently shared on their Instagram with tabs for tips such as change your mindset and five steps for managing conflict among others. “Our last event on May 10th was a debate on salads vs. sandwiches. We also have business development meetings on Zoom, where speakers come talk to us about various topics,” Haji said. The club offers weekly meetings at 7 p.m., alternating between in-person in SURC 301 and virtual meetings held on Zoom every other week. Haji said this allows members at other satellite campuses to be able to participate in the club, something that they may not have been able to do before. The club has 30 total members, with 15 active members attending professional development meetings. In order to learn more about the club and get involved, Haji said students can visit the club’s instagram page @cwu.wib for updates on events. Her Campus Another women-focused club, Her Campus CWU, is a chapter of
a national online magazine that supports collegiate women. Her Campus was founded by three Harvard students: Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Annie Wang and Windsor Hanger. The aim of the publication is to be the number one media portfolio for college women, and is 100% woman-owned and operated, according to hercampusmedia. Her Campus CWU is in its sixth year and has 18 members. The club aims to provide members full artistic freedom to amplify collegiate women’s voices. Gracen Bayer, club senator and a sophomore in film production, attends Inter Club Association meetings and ensures the club meets requirements such as club engagement and volunteer hours. Next year, Bayer will become the club’s vice president. “The mission of the club is to make sure that women have a voice in subjects where maybe their opinions are overlooked. In our club, we have women write about whatever they want,” Bayer said. “Ranging from politics to fashion, we provide a platform to amplify women’s voices on all topics.” Her Campus meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in SURC 201. Members pitch ideas they would be interested in writing about. Each member writes four articles every quarter. Bayer said that traditionally, the media has been dominated by men and has not provided equal opportunity to listen to women’s viewpoints as their male counterparts have had. “I hope that we can create a safe and comforting environment where women and non-binary members can find solace,” Bayer said. “I hope that the impact our club has, is to provide a community and a place where people at CWU can feel celebrated, appreciated and safe.” Students can stay connected with Her Campus on Instagram @hercampuscwu.
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Discovery Hall Observatory towers over campus Photo by Chase Beyer/The Observer
CWU community marches in support of Roe v. Wade
Sharing perspectives
THE
DIVERSITY PAGE
Supporting awareness
By Morgana Carroll Staff Reporter Students and faculty marched down the sidewalk through the CWU campus protesting the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, loudly chanting “My body, my choice,” in unison. The Roe v. Wade Teach-In was an event held at Brooks Library on Friday, May 13 in response to the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft. Students brought their own protest signs or used the supplies from a table outside the library to make signs. Some of the signs included phrases like, “Keep your politics out of my uterus,” “You can only ban safe abortions” and “I deserve more bodily autonomy than a dead body.” “There are many reasons why someone would choose to have an abortion,” sophomore in film and women’s gender and sexuality studies Olivia Cirillo said during a speech at the
teach-in. “It should not be up to the state to decide a very private matter with one’s self.” According to Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) Director Jannette Chien, the march was a collaborative effort. Partners included the DEC, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity, Brooks Library, Provost Fellows, the Wellness Center, the Student Leadership Involvement and Community Engagement Counseling Center and some of the departments in the College of Arts and Humanities. “It’s important for people to get together like this in community spaces to let people know they aren’t alone,” Cirillo said. “There’s only so much you can do by yourself.” The march traveled from the library through campus, and then around south campus before returning to the library. Attendees such as Cirillo cheered as passing cars honked their horns.
“A lot more people got to see our message while they were driving by,” Cirillo said. The students attending the march, such as junior in english Sierra Moore, said they felt encouraged by the good attendance of the event and how it shows the community has each other’s backs. “[This march] is showing people that they are heard and cared for. I know that when I heard the news it was an instant feeling of disgust and fear and I felt isolated,” Moore said. “So being able to come to an event like this where I know there’s an entire community that is not only fighting for themselves but for me and everyone else makes me feel empowered and comfortable and a lot safer in Ellensburg.” Cirillo said advocates need to contact Washington senators Maria Cantwell, Patty Murray and state legislatures to voice where their constituents stand. Attendees said that going forward, it was important to continue community action.
“It shows how many students can come out of the wings and show support for their bodies and their rights and it makes me really happy for the next generation,” Savannah Walen, a senior in elementary education, said. “We are not gonna take anybody’s shit and that is powerful.” Moore said she was excited to visit the Planned Parenthood table that had been set up in front of the library after the march was finished. According to Planned Parenthood Director of Health Equity Cristal Alletoria, the table had some pre-made signs for attendees to use that read, “Protect legal abortion,” in case anyone wanted a sign but couldn’t make one. The table also provided condoms and resources about contraceptives. Alletoria said the most important resource she brought was herself, to answer any questions students had.
Students protested potential overturning of Roe v. Wade across campus. Photos by Morgana Carroll/The Observer
Protestors marched from Black Hall to the Rotary Pavilion on May 12. Photos by Katherine Camarata/The Observer
Day of Action bridges town gown divide with block party
Intersectional march unites multiple causes By Katherine Camarata Scene Editor The aroma of street tacos from El Loco Food Truck and reggae beats rang through the air around the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Ellensburg as over 50 people celebrated the first ever Day of Action on Thursday, May 12. The Day of Action was hosted by Provost Fellow Dr. Teresa Divine, the Museum of Culture and Environment (MEC), the Diversity and Equity Center (DEC), the Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (SLICE) office and CWU Business Leadership and Management students for their Capstone project. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about social justice and bridge the divide separating the CWU community from local Ellensburg residents. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. in the SURC pit with a letter writing campaign and opening remarks. Two workshops were hosted later in the day in the DEC, Black Hall 105, called Agents of Social Change and Savior Complex and Voluntourism. Roundtable and Unity March An “Activist’s Roundtable” was held at noon where community members could ask questions to a panel that consisted
of Stephanie Wickstrom representing APOYO, Tylene Carnell from Helen House, Hope Amason from the MEC, and Law and Justice Professor Todd Mildon from Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors. At the roundtable, the moderator asked what activism meant to each panelist and what inspired them to get involved with activism. Mildon replied, “For me at least, activism is the pursuit of justice. When my grandmother was young, many of her classmates were hauled away from their lives under FDR’s executive order 9066, which interns Japanese Americans at the beginning of WWII. She fought against that. All my life I’ve had that in my mind as an inspiration for seeking justice for people who are harmed by terrible governmental decisions.” The day progressed to a Unity March following a sign-making party at the DEC. A full spectrum of causes were addressed on the signs, from climate change to sex worker’s rights, to bodily autonomy and immigration reform. The march traveled from Black Hall down University Way, left onto Main Street, and back down Fifth Avenue to the Rotary Pavilion, where a Block Party was set up. Cassidy Peters, junior in law and justice, said it was important
“I hope this helps students connect with the community by volunteering and interning and thinking about careers in social justice and in the non-profit sector.” Todd Mildon, Law and Justice Professor
to show people in Ellensburg that they’re not alone when standing up against injustices. “An event like this is really cool because people with different opinions and all these different beliefs they’re marching for, they can just come together and show the town,” Peters said. Block Party Various clubs, organizations and nonprofits played games, gave out treats and sold beverages at tables around the perimeter of the pavilion. Jaeda Nelson, a senior in business leadership management, helped plan the block party as her capstone project with three other students. “A lot of the times, especially with social justice, community wellness, they’re leading in isolation with their own group, so we wanted to force people to talk to each other,” Nelson said. “That’s why they’re all partnered together for every table, we paired them and
we’re hoping it will spark some collaboration or shared activism.” Gallery One was partnered with the Equity and Services Council and handed out free posters. The Central African Student Association (CASA) shared a space with Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors. Next to them, the Black Student Union played word games, shared photos and handed out sweet treats. Eburg Veg, a local food blogger, gave out vegan cupcakes and shared a table with CWU’s Presidents United to Solve Hunger (PUSH) chapter. Skookum Kids, an organization that connects kids with foster homes, and the LatinX Student Organization offered a wheel to spin for prizes and sold strawberry milk drinks. APOYO and Jerrol’s partnered together, as did the Ellensburg High School Environmental Club and Kittitas County Friends of Animals as well as Movimiento Estudiantil Chinana/o de Aztlan (MEChA) and the Latino Community Fund. Jaden Barrie, senior in business leadership management and a planner of the event for his capstone project, said he wanted to bring the local businesses together with the CWU campus. Barrie said he wanted, “Something that stimulated conversation between people. While they might be different, they can share some of
the same values or they can have different values and they’re able to communicate that and disagree in a positive way.” Barrie said he hoped participants would be able to have a fun time while talking about heavy topics in a safe environment. CWU alumni Joey Packer said the event was “absolutely amazing” and hoped to see it happen every year. “We don’t live in a vacuum at the university, there’s high school students here too,” Packer said. “It’s important because a lot of students come from out of town, usually the other side of the state or different states completely, and so it helps build a foundation, a network of people that you can talk to.” Mildon said he hoped students connect with mission driven work through the event. “I hope this helps students connect with the community by volunteering and interning and thinking about careers in social justice and in the non-profit sector,” Mildon said. “The more people you talk to from more backgrounds, the more you humanize the other and start developing empathy for other peoples’ challenges. People already know what they need for the most part. Mission driven work should just help them get what they already know they need.”
OPINION SPORTS
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Edith and Ethel: Ask the Aunties By ‘Edith and Ethel’ Columnists
Dear Aunties, How to tell my partner I hate their friends? - I Can’t Stand It Edith: This totally depends on why, what kind of friends they are and what kind of people they are. If you just aren’t liking them because they are too loud, or they like things you hate, then why worry about them? Ethel: I agree with Edith. If it doesn’t affect you personally or affect your relationship, I highly advise keeping it to yourself. If your partner’s friend makes themselves a problem, it might be time to bring it up then.
May 18, 2022
Opinion: Condemn the war, not the warrior By Wayne Gray Columnist We should recognize service members and veterans as patriots and condemn our government for selfishly pursuing national interests abroad. By supporting measures that reduce defense spending we can better support our service members and veterans during and after their service. People join the military for any number of reasons. Perhaps they believe it is the patriotic thing to do, or maybe they have a family and just need a job. Many families have military service traditions. The prospect of a free education can be an alluring one as well. Whatever reason someone may have for joining the military, they are making a great sacrifice. That sacrifice should be recognized as a service to our country, not just as a service of
national goals. We can criticize a nation for going to war, while still showing support for those who volunteer to fight in them. Governments declare war to serve their national interests, often at the cost of others. Patriotic citizens join the military to serve their country, often at the cost of themselves. We should better empathize with those who serve in our military while still holding our government responsible for committing to overseas conflicts. Patriotism aside, military service is a job. A job that provides wages, housing, health insurance, training and education benefits. For many, a job that provides all of that is hard to come by. As Americans, we should ensure those in power make decisions that not only benefit the nation but also those who serve. The Constitution establishes Congress as the sole authority
to declare war. The president also has power to use military force. Both have the power to establish policies that benefit service members and veterans. Our elected leaders are responsible for the well being of our service members and that means we are responsible as well. We should better use our powers as taxpayers and voters to elect officials that make decisions not in favor of war, but in favor of service members’ care. We currently spend twice as much on defense than we do on veteran affairs. The U.S. military budget request for the 2023 fiscal year is $773 billion while the Department of Veteran Affairs budget request for the 2023 fiscal year is $301.4 billion. We should reduce the amount we spend on defense and instead use those funds on social programs for veterans so that their needs are better met. The money
that we do spend on defense should be better allocated in ways that benefit service members rather than large defense contractors. Service members carry the burden with them even after their service. With service members and veteran suicides occuring at alarming rates, it is obvious that we are failing at addressing their needs. A soldier is more likely to die by their own hand than by the hand of an enemy in combat. According to the United Service Organizations, 30,177 service members and veterans have died by suicide in the last 20 years, compared to the 7,057 service members who died in combat during that same time. If you know a service member or veteran, you should reach out and let them know you care. Support organizations like the USO by donating if you can. Vote for elected officials that run on platforms that prioritize social programs instead of military spending.
Edith: If they’re friends who can’t keep themselves out of your relationship, or have other toxic traits your partner may not realize, then definitely bring it up. You shouldn’t say you hate them, though. Being too blunt and unnecessarily rude can bring unneeded strain. Ethel: I’ve actually had to bring this up with a past partner, and it wasn’t easy. Keeping open communication with your partner is really important. Say things like, “I think this person isn’t good for me to personally interact with because of ‘x’ reason.” Edith: Luckily, I can mention that I dislike somebody my partner talks to, and they understand. Yet, sometimes a partner may not cooperate. This can be an issue, but this is where communication really shines. Without a solid base of communication, your connection will fall apart. Ethel: Yes! Be ready to interact with them occasionally even if you don’t like them. In my case, my partner didn’t want to give up his friendship for what I perceived to be issues. Fast forward, I actually got over my issues with his friend and we still talk and hang out even though the relationship with that partner ended. Edith: At the end of the day, the best I can recommend is to communicate your concerns rather than your negative mood. Even if you hate somebody, it may not be a good idea to say it to those who like them. Take some time to sit down, express your concerns and evaluate what solutions exist. Ethel: So, Can’t Stand It, tread lightly and carefully. Reflect a lot on if it’s necessary before you take the plunge.
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Opinion: QR + sports = future By Chase Beyer Columnist What is the future of technology in sports? Is it driverless cars, NFTs or wireless technology? No, it’s not any of those, it’s actually QR Codes. QR codes are already taking over, in places some may not expect. QR codes can be found on packaging of food items to pull up a digital version of the nutrition facts and ingredients, along with QR codes being placed at every table in some restaurants to pull up digital versions of the menu and reduce the use of physical menus altogether. QR technology is also being introduced into the sports world. I think the variety of new changes we have seen with QR codes is very exciting and will live up to the hype. However, I did not expect to see QR codes starting to make waves in the sports world. According to Sports Illustrated, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has officially made the first waves
of introducing QR technology to football. During UCF’s spring season this year, the player’s numbers were replaced with QR codes. The QR codes on the player’s jerseys when scanned will pull up the player’s profile on the university’s athletic website, where other information can be found, including social media links, contact information, scouting profiles, related stories and personal brand content with the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rule change in recent years. This change from the traditional number system to the QR code is only temporary. As of right now, this change is just for the spring season. However, this new QR code system changes the game for the entertainment side of sports. With this new feature, it allows the viewers to have everything they need to know about an athlete at the access of their fingertips by simply scanning the jersey when it’s shown on camera. However, it is not all positive. As great as this change
is for the technology aspect of sports, it does take away from the viewer’s experience by not being able to differentiate some players between others due to not having large numbers to identify them on the field. UCF still has the nameplate on the back of the player’s jersey, so people tuning in from home might be able to tell who is who, but the viewers at the game may not be able to tell like they used to which would take away from the in-person experience. UCF is still implementing the QR technology without completely throwing out the traditional numbering system on sports jerseys. The QR code is only on the back of the jersey, so the front of the jersey still shows the classic look. Even though it may take away from the in-person experience, I think it is a great step for the start of introducing QR code technology into the world of sports. UCF is beginning to open endless possibilities for the involvement and utilization of QR technology in sports.
The range of potential QR technology use can range from the front office and personnel, all the way down to the marketing and advertising team for fan night’s, events and team professional advertisement. UCF is genius for finding a way to incorporate QR codes into the world of sports and I am very excited to watch the dominos fall and see where this first step can lead to. I love how easy and simple QR codes make everything, and the possibilities of QR technology utilization are endless.
Image Credit Crystal Clausen
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May 18, 2022
SPORTS
Athletes reflect on their unique college experiences
Looking back and to the future Nolan Millliman looks back on ups and downs of season; possible leadership role
Nolan Milliman in his warm-ups before a game. Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson/Thompson Sports
By Isaac Hinson Staff Reporter The baseball team saw one of their freshman pitchers make an impact down the stretch. While Nolan Milliman got off to a slow start in the first half of the season, his improvement in the second half showed what he can accomplish during the rest of his time at CWU. In the 2021-22 season, Milliman pitched a total of 37.1 innings, allowing 42 hits and 29 runs across those games. Milliman turned up his production in the second half of the season, with 31 of his 42 strikeouts coming in the last seven of his 13 pitched games. Milliman pitched 10 innings across the last two games of the season, logging 14 strikeouts, 13 hits and five runs. The Wildcats also logged a win during this stretch. The right-handed pitcher from Yorba Linda, California cites his knack for baseball from his family.
“Growing up I played baseball and basketball,” Milliman said. “Baseball is more in my family’s blood and I felt like I was always better at baseball then I was at basketball.” While attending Esperanza High School in Anaheim, California, Milliman won the Offensive MVP Award his freshman year, as well as the coaches award from his coaching staff. “In high school I played other positions,” Milliman said. “Pitching was just what I was best at and so I stuck with it in college.” Milliman said while he did well in some of his outings this season, he felt comfortable toward the end of the year. “I had some really good outings and some not-so-great outings,” Milliman said. “As a freshman, I feel like I did pretty good. I feel like I found myself more calm and trusting in myself more as the season went on.” One of the “not-so-great outings” mentioned occurred in Monmouth, Oregon against Western
Oregon University, where Milliman got one hitter out and allowed two hits, two walks and four runs in a 8-2 loss for the Wildcats. This season, the Wildcats went 14-35, but in games where Milliman pitched more than 3 innings, they had a record of 2-4. The statistically best game of Milliman’s career came in the second to last game of the season, where Milliman threw 7 innings with 8 strikeouts and 9 hits, but only 1 run. “Our team didn’t do as good as expected,” Milliman said. “That put a bad taste in our mouths. It’s really motivating for me to work harder in the offseason, and now I know what things I need to work on for next year.” Milliman said he feels he has big shoes to step into next season after his freshman campaign. “I definitely feel like there’s a spot for me to step into a leadership role, especially to help the freshman next year, trying to get them comfortable with college and the team,” Milliman said.
SERVICE. PURPOSE. OPPORTUNITY.
Scholarships. Leadership training. Over 100 career paths. Central Washington University
AFROTC Detachment 895 • www.cwu.edu/airforce • www.AFROTC.com • 509-963-2314
A relay block start by Makenna Hansen. Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson/Thompson Sports Photography
By Jacqueline Hixssen Staff Reporter The ‘college experience’ looks different for all students. Student-athletes have busy sport and school schedules that make their college experience look different from non-athletes. Makenna Hansen, a senior sprinter on CWU’s track and field team, said a student- athlete’s sport gives a different college experience than most students. “It definitely shapes who you hang out with and how your days are structured,” Hansen said. According to Hansen, track and field differs from other sports. While most sports compete during one quarter, track and field competes during two: winter and spring. They also practice throughout the fall quarter. Michael Copeland, senior outfielder on CWU’s baseball team, also said his college experience would have been different without baseball. “The biggest part of it for me is that I would have had a lot less friends if I didn’t play a sport,” Copeland said. “With baseball, it’s 40 guys that I see every day. They almost have to be my friend if they want things to go smoothly.” Both Hansen and Copeland said playing their sports saved them from getting into trouble. “It shows how much your social life and drinking life impacts how well you do, and I have been really successful ever since I started to focus on the sport and what’s best for that,” Hansen said. The student-athletes’ busy sport and school schedules, along with the commitment to their sports, do not allow them time for the party scene. “It took up a lot of my time, but it probably kept me out of trouble as well,” Copeland said. Playing a sport throughout college not only allows students to gain friends and keep out of trouble, but according to Copeland and Hansen, it also provides life skills that will follow the athletes through their future endeavors, such as punctuality and responsibility. “You never want to be that guy who is always late,” Copeland said. “When you go on the road you have duties and stuff you have to carry and things you are responsible for, and so just being aware of what’s going on timewise and responsibility-wise is a major part of it.” Throughout Hansen’s junior year, she said she had to balance
in-person classes, a job and her year-long sport. “You have to form everything around your practice schedule,” Hansen said. According to Copeland, this is his sixth year playing college baseball, but this previous season was the only full season he was able to play due to multiple factors. “I have been injured and COVID and all kinds of different stuff,” Copeland said. Copeland said he wants to leave a legacy where future athletes are not only doing it for themselves but for their teammates as well. “When I had a hard time trying to find out why I was still playing, it was looking around and looking at everyone else and trying to make myself better for them when I really wasn’t feeling it for myself,” Copeland said. “Going out of your way for other people is the biggest thing I have tried to do here.” When reflecting on her college memories, Hansen was quick to recall her most memorable college moment. While competing in the indoor GNAC tournament, Hansen said, “I got All-Conference in all of my events and then seeing my other teammates succeed … That was probably the happiest I have been for track and school.” Copeland said his advice for incoming collegiate athletes is to not give up on a sport. “[Be] grateful for the spot that you’re in,” Copeland said. “There were so many times that I didn’t want to play anymore, and I didn’t want to be there. But I was thinking about all the guys I have played with in the past that would have killed to be in that spot.” Hansen also said she advised future athletes to continue to not give up, even when they want to. “Don’t give up. There were so many times that I wanted to quit,” Hansen said. “I am happy I stayed all four years because it’s the best memories I have here.” Life after graduation looks different for both of these athletes. Hansen is currently in CWU’s ROTC program. After graduation, she said she plans on moving to Florida and being commissioned into the Air Force. Copeland said he is planning on returning to his hometown of Vancouver, Washington and working for a RV awning distribution company after leaving CWU.
EVENTS
Page 08
May 18, 2022
Wildcat Words: Who would win in a fight: Wellington or the Kool-Aid Man?
Valerie Eaves
Kyle Perry
Cinthia Farias
Alwin Alik
Andres Carter
So. Environmental Science
Jr. Science Ed
Jr. IT
Grad. Public Health
Jr. Film
Wellington
Wellington
Wellington
Wellington
Wellington
Q&A teaser photo courtesy of Central Washington Univrsity Flickr / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
QA &
with
CATHY MAE DUTONG
weekly events
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11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ice Cream Social: Meet President Wohlpart @ SURC Patio West 3-4 p.m. Installation of CWU President A. James Wohlpart, Ph.D. @ McIntyre Hall 174
20
10-11 p.m. Improv Night The Hot New JamDay @ SURC Bike to Campus 2022 Theater 210 6-10:30 p.m. IM eSports Tournament: Mario Kart @ SURC Theater 210
21
5-8 p.m. Polyfest @ SURC Ballroom 10-11:30 p.m. The Hot New Jam: Improv Night @ SURC Theater 210
THURS
FRI
Meet Cathy Mae Dutong, a junior majoring in Business Administration specializing in marketing management and minoring in digital marketing and accounting. Last month, CWU hosted the annual Student Employee Awards and Cathy Mae traveled from Lynnwood to Ellensburg to attend the ceremony. It was the first time she had stepped foot on the main campus and was surprised to win the award at the end of the ceremony. Q: What made you want to apply to your current position in the Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP)? A: One of the main reasons why I applied for the Office of International Studies and Programs is that I know that my position involves helping international students like me get the resources, support, and student life that they deserve. I enrolled in CWU in Fall 2020, the height of the pandemic, and I felt more out of touch with the community because of lockdowns and the fact that I’m located at the centers. This position gave me the opportunity to help international students at centers to connect with their community the same way I wanted to when I first got into CWU. Q: What is your favorite part about working in OISP? A: Number one favorite would be the people I meet. Getting to know students and their backgrounds brings me joy that I’m more of a global student each day at CWU. Q: What is the one thing that you would tell a new student coming into this position? A: Don’t be afraid of being the first person to say hello! If you happen to know how to greet an international student in their native language, the surprise and joy they will feel would be worth it to see. Q: How has your background of being from the Philippines helped you connect with international students? A: As a Filipino, it is in my culture and upbringing to be hospitable and polite to every person I meet. In addition to growing up in Bahrain, surrounded by different nationalities and backgrounds, I learned to adapt well with those differences. My parents were also adamant that I am exposed to different people because it is also in my culture to make sure that we don’t disrespect anyone by being ignorant. That’s why I feel a connection with international students that I meet because I saw myself in them when I was younger. Q: What has been your most memorable moment at C WU? A: My most memorable moment would be the day I won the Student Employee of the Year 2022, Washington State Employee of the Year, and nominee for National student employee of the year. I’m located at the CWU Lynnwood center and when I got the invitation in my mail, I thought that it was a great excuse to go and see the campus in person. But what made it memorable was that I wasn’t expecting to win at all! I went to the Ellensburg campus because I wanted to experience what it’s like being there and attend a program. So, hearing my name get called was both a huge surprise and an emotional moment because the trip to Ellensburg was full of worry and anxiety. Since it was my first time traveling alone to a completely new place and my phone was dead, I didn’t want to get lost. Therefore, I remember feeling that I wanted to leave the place as soon as possible to find a charging station. However, once I accepted the award, I remembered all the work I did for the past year and a half and how hard I worked and studied at CWU. I remembered feeling recognized for my efforts even though I’m at the center campus and I also remember my parents’ sacrifices and efforts to give me a bright future. Finally, I remember feeling quite confused about winning 3 student employee awards because I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I was only doing my best. Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? A: My younger self wanted to be a singer. That’s because I grew up in a musically-inclined household and I participated in my school’s choir and theater for the majority of my school life.
SAT
22 SUN
23 MON
24 TUES
25 WED
SOURCE 2022 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Horseback Riding National @ OPR Patio Pickle Day 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Blood Drive with the American Red Cross @ SURC 137A/B 8:30-11 p.m. Monday Movie Madness Outdoors: The Batman @ Recreation Sports Complex 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Skyhawks Sports Academy Recruitment @ SURC Corridor 5:30-7 p.m. Veteran Center Graduation/Salute Banquet @ SURC Ballroom 7-8 p.m. Composition Studio Recital @ McIntyre Hall 174 3-5 p.m. Clothing Giveaway @ Bouillon Hall 211 4-6 p.m. OPR Weekly Fireside Chat @ OPR Patio
Photo courtesy of Cathy Mae Dutong Wildcat Words - Jacqueline Hixssen, Q&A - Crystal Clausen
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