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February 02, 2022
Vol. 121 NO. 4
JULIETTE WILLIAMS TIES SCHOOL RECORD IN FIRST MEET
Photo Courtesy of CWU Athletics.
By Evan Couch Staff Reporter In her first track and field meet as a Wildcat, transfer sophomore Juliette Williams tied the school’s 60-meter dash record. Williams tied the previous record holder and her teammate, senior Makenna Hansen, when she clocked a 7.78 second, 60-meter dash in the Lauren McCluskey Open on Saturday, Jan 22. Not only did Williams finish in third place, her performance earned her Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Track Athlete of the Week. Williams reflected on how she felt heading into her first meet. “I was just calm and was like ‘We’ll just see what I got,’” Williams said. “It is what it is, you haven’t run in four years, so whatever happens, happens.” Prior to the Lauren McCluskey Open, Williams had not run competitively since she was in high school in 2017. Williams attended Eastern Washington University after high
school, where she planned on redshirting before eventually dropping out after one quarter in 2018 due to financial reasons. Once out of school, Williams used that time to work three jobs in order to pay off debts and save up enough money to go back to school. With the work Williams was doing, it left no time for her to train for running. Despite stepping away from running collegiately, Williams knew she still wanted to compete. “One of my high school track coaches was like ‘if you don’t run in the collegiate level, I know that you’ll regret it the rest of your life,’ and that stuck in the back of my head,” Williams said. After talking to colleagues that used to run for CWU, Williams decided to enroll and start classes again in the fall of 2020. Spring quarter 2021 is when Williams decided to try and join the track team, Williams reached out and asked if it was even possible. Eventually leading to her first meet at the beginning of this year. After finishing her heat,
Williams did not know she had tied the record until she was informed after. “I actually did not know what the school record time was,” Williams said. “I was like ‘Oh okay that sounds good, it was better than my last race.’ I was super excited.’’ After hearing that she had tied the record, Williams said she had to compose herself before going to sit down and look up the school’s record time. Hansen, who ran alongside Williams in the 60-meter finals, finished with a 7.86 second sprint. Hansen knew that Williams had tied her record once she saw Williams’ time. “I knew right away because that was my time,” Hansen said. “I was ecstatic for her, but the competitive side in me was like, ‘We got some work to do.’” Hansen previously set the school record for the 60-meter dash earlier this month at the Cougar Classic Open in Spokane, Washington. Hansen has beaten and reset the school’s best time three times this season. The first
time was at the Spokane Invitational on Dec. 11, 2021, with a 7.79 second, 60-meter dash. Williams and Hansen said that competing against each other every week, seeing what times they run as well as trying to finish top of the race is what is making them better. Williams said she and Hansen will see how far they can push one another when it comes to competing and reaching personal records. “Obviously there’s competition, it’s natural, but it’s not malicious,” Hansen said. Williams said that it was after this meet she realized the friendly competition between the two. “I didn’t feel like we were fighting for the top, until now,” Williams said. Hansen explained that pushing one another motivates Williams and her, now that they know what they are capable of doing. Williams, Hansen and sophomore E’lexis Hollis all competed in the 60-meter finals and finished top six, each running 7.90 seconds and under.
“I think it’s cool that we have that many girls that are that good,” Hansen said With it being Hansen’s last year with the program, she said she thinks it is being left in good hands with sprinters like Williams and Hollis who have two years left. Hansen feels a level of confidence in her teammates’ abilities to remain successful. “I’m confident in them, definitely Juliette and E’lexis,” Hansen said. “Those two girls are both technically sophomores right now and they have two more years left, they have so much to accomplish.” Although Williams is proud of this particular accomplishment, she said that as the season continues, she wants to focus on personal goals she has set for herself. “I do have really high goals for myself, so I hope I hit them this season,” Williams said. Moving forward, Williams wants to focus on preparation for the indoor season to compete at a high level in the 100-meter dash during the outdoor season.
A LOOK BEYOND
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February 02, 2022
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
The Washington State Department of Health announced the availability of 120,000 more at-home COVID-19 tests on Monday, according to King5 News. The initial rollout on Jan. 21 saw all 1.4 million available tests claimed within eight hours. The Mukilteo School Board voted to remove “To Kill A Mockingbird” from the district’s ninth-grade curriculum due to content deemed “racially insensitive,” according to Fox News. The book is not banned, can still be found in the library and teachers may elect to still use it in their classrooms. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit Monday alleging an Illinois-based coronavirus testing company lied to patients, failed to properly store test samples and faked or delayed tests according to The Seattle Times. The company, called Center for COVID Control, had at least 13 sites in Washington, and has been operating in Washington since October 2021. According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 dashboard, Kittitas county shows a 7-day infection rate of 1,066 cases per 100,000. State-wide 7-day infection rate is 1,543 cases per 100,000, with 31% of hospital beds occupied by a COVID-19 patient. The DOH reports 66% of the total state population is vaccinated. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Thursday which pauses the implementation of the Washington Long-Term Care Trust Act, according to Whatcom News. The program and tax will be paused until July 1, 2023. Inslee also signed a related bill that makes changes to the program allowing people to optout in certain circumstances. Jonathan Rivera-Venegas was arrested Friday for providing controlled substances laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl to Sage Francois and Mateo Quintero-Castano, according to The Daily Record. Rivera-Venegas was arrested in Hawaii on Oct. 5, 2021, and booked into the Kittitas County Jail after a long process. He is currently awaiting trial, and his bail is set at $1,225,000.
World
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Monday, it has begun to expel Venezuelan migrants to Colombia who have entered the U.S. illegally, according to ABC News. The U.S. has been using Title 42 since March of 2020, allowing authorities to expel migrants at the Mexican border without an opportunity to seek asylum in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to the article. Diabetes related deaths have surpassed 100,000 for the second year in a row, according to U.S. News. An expert panel urges Congress to revisit diabetes care and prevention. The figures compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a 17% increase in 2020 and a 15% increase in 2021, excluding any deaths directly attributed to COVID-19. Several music artists and podcast creators have moved to pull their music or stop producing content on Spotify due to the company’s handling of misinformation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, according to The Los Angeles Times. More than 200 people, including medical professionals, signed a letter requesting Spotify to create a public policy in order to moderate misinformation. Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have pulled their music from the platform. A senior State Department official said Monday the U.S. will know soon whether the Iran nuclear deal is salvageable, stating the “most critical decisions” have not yet been made, according to CNN. As the agreement was abandoned in 2015, Tehran has moved out of compliance with the terms of the original deal. The article states the official emphasized there were only weeks left to reach a deal.
North Korea said Monday it tested an intermediate range missile capable of reaching the U.S. bases in Guam and Japan, according to CBS news. According to the article, Sunday’s launch continues North Korea’s aim to pressure the U.S. into sanction relief. Roberto Toledo, a Mexican media worker, was killed on Monday in Michoacan, marking the fourth journalist to have been killed in deadly attacks this year, according to Reuters. These deaths have sparked protests across Mexico. A human rights group named Article 19 has stated 145 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2000, making it the deadliest country in the world for journalists. During the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. and Russia verbally sparred with each other over the Ukraine crisis Monday, according to The New York Times. Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders. The U.S. and its allies said this move endangers peace and global security. Denmark announced it has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, according to CNN. The Denmark government stated they no longer considered the coronavirus a critical sickness, and is the first country in the European Union to lift all restrictions. The announcement came while Denmark had the second-highest infection rate of any nation in the world, according to the article.
Stories compiled by Addie Adkins
The U.S. national debt has topped $30 trillion for the first time in history, according to The New York Times. This figure comes at a time with an already concerning fiscal outlook for the U.S. with inflation rates skyrocketing, a large budget deficit and the Federal Reserve preparing to increase interest rates in March.
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February 02, 2022
SCENE
Wildcat Community Farm hosts event to reach out to students By Morgana Carroll Staff Reporter The Community Garden within the Wildcat Community Farm located on Alder Street east of campus allows for students multiple opportunities including seeds being distributed, a free plot with members being able to take their own produce home and gardening assistance when necessary. Recently, the Community Garden hosted a meeting to inform students of these opportunities. The farm operates from April to October and any member of the Ellensburg community can join. “We don’t have a fence, we’re an open community space,” Farm and Sustainability Manager Kate Doughty said. Doughty noted how important it is for people to be introduced to fresh fruits and vegetables as well as sustainable growing methods. “My family didn’t garden much when I was young, so I remember when I started working at community gardens when I was younger,” Doughty said. “I was shocked by what brussel sprouts looked like.” The farm employs sustainable growing methods such as natural composts and fertilizers as well as crop rotation, the
Photo courtesy of Connor Chilson/Auxiliary Marketing, The Wildcat Community Farm is located east of campus on Alder Street.
act of changing what types of produce are grown in what areas to prevent the vitamins and minerals of the soil from being used up faster than they can generate nutrients to produce healthier soil and crops. While the farms are not certified as organic, they do comply with organic regulations. According to Doughty, there are also biology classes on campus that could benefit from the hands-on experience that a visit to the garden could provide, in addition to workshops hosted by the garden outside of curriculum and classes.
Another note Doughty made was how the community farm doesn’t just provide the chance for students and members of the Ellensburg community to learn how to grow different forms of produce, but it’s also a great way to build community. Anyone can become a member of the Wildcat Community Garden as long as they are willing to invest time in it. “The best part about food is that we all have such deep connections to it,” Doughty said. ”It really opens up the possibility for such meaningful connections.”
Community members will be given their own plot of land to grow produce on, and anything grown on a community member’s plot can be taken home with them. Members will be expected to water and harvest their own plot, but assistance can be arranged if they are gone for an extended period of time. In addition to having access to their plot, members can ask their more experienced peers any questions they might have about gardening. Seeds and transplants will be provided. There are 48 plots of land in to-
tal, and students have priority when picking plots. There are some plots being used by local food banks. In order to use the space, community members must volunteer for at least six hours every month. This could be weeding the path, taking care of someone’s plot who needs help, assisting with the foodbank plots or miscellaneous chores around the farm. According to Doughty, while the produce that is grown is typically taken home with the community member who grew it, in the event that they can’t take it home the produce will either be given to the local food banks or to the Presidents United to Solve Hunger (PUSH) pantries that can be found on campus. In addition to this, the Wildcat Community Farm also provides produce for Dining Services from designated plots. The meeting mentioned that a Sustainability Living and Learning Community is being established in Wendell Hill Hall in the fall, and further information about that will be released. Those interested will be able to sign up to volunteer starting the second week of February. More information regarding the Wildcat Community Farm can be found on their Instagram page @cwufarm.
Ellensburg City Council appoints Monica Miller to position 7 By Tapanga Krause Staff Reporter Gallery One Director Monica Miller was sworn into position 7 of the Ellensburg City Council on Monday, Jan. 28, after a 4-2 vote in Miller’s favor. According to councilmen Bruce Tabb, before applying for a seat on the council, Miller served on both the Arts Commission and the Lodging Tax Advisory for several years, making her familiar with the city and its practices. “I’ve been volunteering for the city now for eight or nine years,” Miller said. She applied for the council seat for a couple of different reasons. Miller said she has been rewarded through the work she has done on the commission. The Arts Commission and Miller worked with the council to advocate for an art funding stream for the city, as well as created an ordinance that would permanently fund the arts in Ellensburg. Due to Miller’s arts background and owning a business in town, Mayor Nancy Lillquist said that she brings creativity to the council. Miller has a different way of looking at things than some of the other council members, according to Lillquist. “She has demonstrated her ability to work with groups of people in a productive way,” Lillquist said.
Photo courtesy of Monica Miller.
Lillquist said it is important to have the voice of a business owner on the council, and it will be very helpful. According to Tabb, there will be a learning curve for Miller in terms of land use pieces, such as zoning and encouraging affordable housing. He said she has a good sense of some elements of what she is doing, what the community believes and where it wants to go. “She cares about the community,” Tabb said. “She wants to listen and hear and reflect about [what the] values of the community are. But she also recognizes at the same time that we need to take steps forward to making this a better community for all.”
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Break the Stigma: BIPOC mental health panel Panelists share stories and resources Written by Katherine Camarata Senior Reporter The stigma tied to mental health is a limitation many CWU faculty members make passionate efforts to reduce, and panelists moved one step closer to this goal last week. Five CWU faculty members sat on a panel teaching about resources and coping strategies for BIPOC mental health, and students gathered to listen and
learn in SURC 137 on Friday, Jan. 28. “This university community is committed to making sure that all people feel like they belong,” Counselor and Panelist Tiffany Smith said. “Every time we do something like this, we continue to normalize this conversation that we need to be thoughtful about making
sure those who may seem underrepresented … have a place to get their needs met as well.” Smith was accompanied on the panel by Doctoral Psychology Intern Maria Lytle, Orientation Coordinator Nenay Norawong, Director of Academic Advising for the College of the Arts and Humanities Veratta Pegram-Floyd and Di-
rector of the Veterans Center Ruben Cardenas. The event was organized by the Student Leadership Involvement and Community Engagement (SLICE) department, the Diversity and Equity Center, CWU Counseling Services and the Wellness Center. Questions were posed to panelists by SLICE volunteers who hosted the event.
WHAT IS STIGMA AND HOW DOES IT APPEAR? The panel began by defining stigma and outlining the stigma cycle, which starts with negative perception of mental illness, moves to fear of discrimination, then to avoidance of help and, finally, to untreated mental illness. “We want to avoid judgment and discrimination, we keep ourselves from reaching out for help, we try to push through on our own,” Maria Lytle said. “We might fear how family and friends will treat us. Will they pity us, will they feel bad if they knew I was seeing a therapist? We might want to avoid self-judgment, too … thinking of ourselves as maybe not deserving of mental help.”
According to Lytle, clients and students often believe what they experience isn’t bad enough to warrant help. At times, they feel as though they might take a spot away from somebody who needs therapy more than they do. Lytle emphasized that it’s important to push past these thoughts. “I often think of this quicksand metaphor,” Lytle said. “When we try to avoid [things], when we’re in really unpleasant emotions and we try to run and get ourselves out of it, we actually sink kind of further in.” The panel continued to discuss stigma and bias within the medical field.
“Specifically women who are seeking treatment, women of color, have been perceived by medical providers to tolerate pain more and are treated based on that,” Lytle said. “When we think of that applying to mental health as well … that’s really significant.” Women and femme presenting individuals are more likely to be stereotyped as crazy or imagining things when seeking treatment, according to Lytle. “Members of the BIPOC community have different experiences when navigating the medical world, whether that’s providers not believing in them or dismissing
concerns that they have, or whether it’s feeling unheard or that the treatment is not appropriate based on cultural factors about a person,” Smith said. BIPOC struggling to break beyond the stigma of mental illness often seek treatment from Smith and Lytle, who shared how they approach this situation. “Helping students work through that is … just really normalizing where those beliefs are coming from,” Lytle said. “Challenge some of those assumptions that we make, that to struggle means there is something wrong with us.”
new therapist as an interview to determine whether they would be the right therapist. According to Lytle, feelings of safety and a sense of trust are integral parts of the progress clients experience. According to Smith, it’s important to create a safe space with her clients who face stigma so they can release their idea of what therapy has to be like. Lytle recommended finding safe people to engage in
conversations with and having some aftercare in mind when going into heavy conversations. She recommended advocating for yourself if you need to leave a conversation. Smith said it’s critically important to be prepared for engaging in uncomfortable situations, and recommended using a line similar to “I’m going to let you let me go” if students need to remove themselves from a conversation they feel trapped in.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT THERAPIST Therapy is beneficial, and finding the right therapist is an essential first step. Smith encouraged BIPOC students to ask their therapist questions to ensure they are the right fit. She said students are always able to ask their therapist about their training and past experience working with the BIPOC community. “Even if they have not previously served clients who are part of the BIPOC communi-
ty, they might be able to talk with you about how they envision that work to go [and] about how you envision it to go,” Smith said. “Follow up if they don’t give you the answers you’re looking for, [ask] more questions. You have power. If you don’t feel you can get what you need at that place, you should be able to get some referrals for somewhere else.” Lytle said students can view their first session with a
EXPERIENCES WITH MENTAL HEALTH “I grew up in a household where I was always told that mental health doesn’t exist,” Nenay Norawong said. “If you are going through something, you are not allowed to speak up about it. Over time, I tried my best to kind of manage it on my own and not inconvenience anyone.” After battling with anxiety, Norawong questioned the beliefs he was raised with. “It was a very hard process for me to go through because I felt like I was in an argument with myself,” Norawong said. “My beliefs and my own viewpoints have changed because [of therapy].” Norawong said it’s crucial to reach out for help and used an analogy to illustrate his point.
“If you have a dog and they need to go to the restroom … You don’t know if the dog wants out unless it barks,” Norawong said. “You say ‘Hey, there is something that needs to be addressed, I need some help, I am struggling with something and I’m okay with where I’m at in order to seek out a professional for help. I need to have my dog bark so that I can go outside.’” Ruben Cardenas also emphasized the importance of questioning beliefs and sharing what students learn with people in their life. “Just because we came up with certain traditions in our family, doesn’t mean we have to carry them on,” Cardenas said. “Those can be antiquated traditions. I’m a believer
that you can learn something at any point in your life, so if you’re able to help your family or anyone in your circle with educating them in some way … I think that’s how we could break some of that stigma.” Veratta Pegram-Floyd said it’s important for students to see people they recognize as successful in their community that also struggle with mental health. “We have to share those experiences and uplift each other and help each other through those experiences,” Pegram-Floyd said. Specific messages that Veratta said she received throughout her life included that Black people don’t go to therapy and that people should just pray their problems away. After a challenging
series of events, Pegram-Floyd found help through therapy. “My world fell apart … I literally was walking through life with shades of gray,” Pegram-Floyd said. “To walk through life and be able to see color but not experience color was really what made me say, you know what, this ain’t right and I am not right and I am not moving through the world in the way that I want to be and the way that I deserve to be.” Pegram-Floyd said she gained so much more than she lost by refocusing on her own mental health. Her therapist told her, “I don’t want to see another Black girl lost,” and the message really stuck. “I don’t want to lose myself, so that’s what really helped me,” Pegram-Floyd said.
WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES? All five panelists stressed the benefits of therapy and recommended BIPOC students seek help if needed, while also helping themselves. “Whatever tactics and strategies that you do to approach this, it’s really unique to yourself,” Norawong said. Norawong recommended taking a drive or walk, dancing or doing something that forces the mind to refocus on something else.
Norawong likes to ask himself, “How can I pause and then press for the best?” He recommends pausing, taking a moment, reflecting on what’s going on, identifying where you want to go and pressing for that. When he needs to address his mental health, Cardenas looks back at what he does when he is healthy. “I’m eating well, I’m sleeping on a daily basis, my hygiene
is good, I’m excited to come to work,” Cardenas said. “When those things start to slip … and I start going down a spiraling out of control path, I need to take a pause and maybe take a day off.” Smith shared her own methods of coping with symptoms. “Whether it’s disconnecting for a little bit and … watching something on television or just listening to music, [or] connecting back with my fam-
ily and friends [on the east coast],” Smith said. “Self care is so important.” According to Pegram-Floyd, the work of self is the hardest work you will ever do. “People don’t really understand the weight of that until it is really time to engage and dig deep,” Pegram-Floyd said. “The longer that you take to access care, the longer it’s going to take for you to start feeling better.”
said. “More Central students should get involved in events like these … I think it’s amazing as a white person to hear about these experiences.” According to Smith, educating ourselves, keeping up on current events and looking for opportunities for advocacy in the form of policy change or funding are ways that students can be supportive to the BIPOC community. For those that don’t fall under the BIPOC umbrella, Smith said being a voice that advocates for peers and colleagues can be helpful. “If you are worried about someone … let them know that
you’re there to support them,” Smith said. “If you have knowledge of resources, offer those resources if they’re interested in taking them. Say, ‘I’m here if you need me, even if it’s not right now.’” Smith said despite what messaging BIPOC students may have heard about mental health and the stigma surrounding it, there is a different way things can go. “It can be such an isolating experience for some folks,” Smith said. “There are people who care about you here who support you, who want you to achieve the life that you
dreamed for yourself, whatever that might be.” Smith recommended that students who are unable to have their needs met by Student Counseling Services seek help through the TimelyCare app. Students have free access to the service 24-7, which they can find at www.timelycare.com/ wildcatcare365 or by downloading the TimelyCare app. “There are a variety of different identities represented in the clinicians there,” Smith said. “It is a nationwide service, all licensed mental health professionals, so you can connect with somebody through that.”
COMMUNITY IMPACT Abby Faulk, senior in apparel and textile merchandising and dance performance, said she was looking for volunteer opportunities in the community and hoped to take away, “A new way of thinking and different perspectives on how people of color are treated throughout daily life.” Faulk said she liked how the panelists emphasized boundaries because her own mental health journey taught her the same lesson. “I really like how they pushed the importance of being comfortable and finding safe people to confide in,” Faulk
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OPINION SPORTS
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Edith and Ethel: Ask the Aunties By ‘Edith and Ethel’ Columnists Dear Aunties, My boyfriend and I have a baby on the way. He wants me to take a break from college to stay at home with the baby while he finishes his degree. He promises he will do the same for me when he’s done. Should I trust him? Sincerely, – So Pregnant and So Done
Edith: Why is he having you stop your education for something he did? Even then, why didn’t he suggest other alternatives? Ethel: DON’T DO IT. Don’t you do it! Newborns sleep and eat all day. Take online classes while the kid is an infant, and utilize the university’s childcare once the kid starts being more active and you’re unable to concentrate on classes. Edith: I personally could never have a child while in college, this is already a lot for me. So, hats off to you for doing this! I don’t have any experience with children, but a great support system is definitely necessary. The childcare definitely sounds like a good plan. Ethel: My experience with fathers hasn’t been the greatest, so my advice is going to be shaded by that. Are there men capable of being a great stay-at-home dad? Of course there are, I personally know a couple. But I have to say, experience has told me this is unfortunately “not the norm.” Edith, stop me before I start a rant! Edith: We get it, Ethel, you’re a wicked cool single mom. You don’t need to rely on others, unlike me. I’m the child in this situation since I can never do anything on my own. Ethel: Oh, Edith, sure you can, you’re here and thriving, aren’t you? Anyway, I feel the need to emphasize that not all situations and people are the same. Edith: The basis of what I need to say, is to please just be alert of your situation. Plan ahead if you can, and even then, plan three other plans because that one may fail. I would push for you to continue your education, though - you’re already paying to be here! Ethel: Look, So Pregnant, all I’m saying is you already don’t trust him to follow through with his promise if you are asking us if you should trust him. I think you already know the answer to your question, and you’re either hoping someone will help you fool yourself by saying “Yes, trust him!” or that someone will give you validation in your suspicions.
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February 02, 2022
Opinion: The awful truth about beards By Gavin Johnson Columnist Let’s be clear about something: I am a proudly bearded man. I’m sure many readers share this sentiment, sporting many styles of facial hair. I feel that a good beard should feel like a good pair of jeans: fitted and comfortable with a complimentary shape. Unfortunately, there are no beards that fill this criteria. Of course, there are many different styles of beards that compliment a variety of face shapes. And sure, a beard may feel as though it fits in just the right way. However, no beard is comfortable. Not a single one. This realization may be hard to accept for most men, but I assure you that the comfort of the beard is an impossible burden. And no, I don’t mean that keeping your beard clean is too much of an ask. Beard care is a process any man can implement into their morning routines with ease and keep a perfectly- groomed beard. But even the perfectly-groomed beard will fail to be comfortable 100% of the time. Facial hair becomes a complicating factor while eating and drinking. Masks cause a constant itch where they meet your beard. Sometimes masks are flatout impossible to fit correctly on your face. And once your facial hair grows to its perfect length, you’ll be stuck with constant razor burn on your face where you don’t want your beard to be. Many of us have seen the myriad of news articles that preach against facial hair, and you may have dismissed them, deciding that there was no way the beard they referred to was your beard.
Photo Courtesy of Marco Verch
What holds us back is the pride in our beards, the illusion that these articles are not saying your beard is the dirty one. Instead, as a CBS report claims, there are health risks that could occur to any of us while growing out facial hair. For example, the beard is an excellent place for bacteria to grow. There is a chance for viral infection carried by your beard as it becomes a point of transmission, and there is a possibility of skin infection. The best argument for shaving the ‘stache is revealed at the end of the CBS report, “If you’re not up for the upkeep, clean-shaven is the way to go.”
Everyone has had a bad beard day. And sometimes, even a mask won’t be able to hide it. This begs the question: why bother? If my math is right, it would be worth it several times over to spend the same time shaving as you would with any beard care routine, all while avoiding any risks of viral infections, bacterial growth, and folliculitis. You might disagree and say that the beard is, in fact, more comfortable than a clean-shaven face. In the pursuit of making your beard comfortable, you might have achieved something close. And yet, you still risk the possibility of the aforementioned health risks.
You may have forgotten the feeling of a clean-shaven face. Maybe you have spent so much time growing your facial hair that shaving would simply mean throwing that progress away. Any number of reasons could be holding you back from the rational decision of a clean shave. You might even have the rare chance to never miss with your beard care, or have the perfect style for your own face. It’s not a bad thing to take pride in your style, or the time you’ve spent to grow it. Sometimes a third party has you coerced against the comforts of a clean shave. But if it were up to me, the best way to go would be the shaving cream route over the beard oil.
Opinion: Peanut butter and chocolate is the best food combination ever created By Tapanga Krause Columnist Of all the different food combinations, peanut butter with chocolate is the clear winner. From Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to chocolate chip peanut butter cookies and Nutty Buddies, it’s the right amount of sweet and salty. On their own, they are undoubtedly delicious, but putting them together takes the flavor to a whole new level. Comfort food at its finest in my opinion. The combination, according to Times News Records, was created in 1928 when Harry Reese made the peanut butter cup. Reese was a dairyman who worked for Milton
Hershey. He founded the H.B. Reese Candy Co. and eventually sold the company to Hershey for $23.5 million. CandyStore.com states that Reese’s was the number onetop-selling candy in the United States back in 2020. There are a multitude of reasons why this food combination reigns supreme. First, the sweetness and saltiness of the candy is amazing. Second, the creaminess of the chocolate calms the soul and makes you feel a thousand times better. Finally, the crunchy texture of the peanut butter is a delightful surprise, and you never get enough of it. It’s not hard to believe that the delicious candy was ranked number one. I have enjoyed the candy for as long as I can remember.
My first memory of being introduced to Reese’s was when I was five. My mother asked if I would like to try it, and it was love at first bite. I am now 23, yet it still remains within my top five list of favorite candies. On top of being the top-selling candy of 2020, CandyStore. com states that Reese’s was ranked as the number one best candy in the United States, which again is not surprising to me. If I’m up late studying, and I need a snack, peanut butter and chocolate are what I reach for first. Putting statistics aside, it’s not just about the taste or my preference for food combinations. It is also backed by science. According to James Clear and his ‘Brief Guide on How to
Eat Healthy Without Noticing’, the dynamic contrast effect plays a part in creating cravings such as peanut butter and chocolate. Dynamic contrast refers to a combination of different sensations in the same food. It relates to a multitude of different combinations, such as sweet and salty, crunchy and creamy and so on. I never really thought about the science side of it before. I just focused on the art of putting peanut butter and chocolate together in the form of a cup. It blew my mind as a kid, and it still blows my mind as an adult. So, the next time you’re in the candy aisle at the store, pick up a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and revel in the marvelous deliciousness. You won’t be disappointed.
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February 02, 2022
SPORTS
Men’s rugby holds on in season opener Missed kick by Seattle in final seconds seals first win
By Jared Galanti Sports Editor CWU men’s rugby team held off the Seattle Rugby Club 26-24 on Friday Jan. 28 to capture their first win of the season, thanks to a missed penalty kick in the final seconds of play. After being down 7-0 early in the game, CWU responded with a try by freshman Campbell Robb and a successful conversion by senior flyhalf Lewis Hollidge which tied the game at 7-7. CWU took the lead when captain and senior 8-man Albert O’Shannessey plunged over the try line. A successful conversion by Hollidge allowed CWU to extend their lead to 14-7. However, Seattle responded with two consecutive tries and conversions to retake the lead 21-14. Just before halftime, CWU leveled it once again when junior prop Cam Nelson scored a try and Hollidge converted for the third straight time. Seattle was able to make a
Photo Courtesy of Caleb Dunlop/CWU Athletics, CWU held off the Seattle Rugby Club for a 26-24 opening season win last Friday.
penalty kick and go into halftime up 24-21. The second half had a lot less scoring with the only try
being scored by senior scrumhalf Noah Wright, which gave CWU a 26-24 lead. Seattle tried a last second
penalty kick to steal victory, but the kick hit the upright and bounced harmlessly to the ground to secure a CWU win.
CWU (1-0) is scheduled to play Western Washington University on Saturday Feb.5 at 1 p.m.
CWU Ironman challenges students Organizers strive for inclusivity with alternate events By Ty Mcphee Staff Reporter
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
The Recreation Center is once again running its monthlong Indoor Ironman event that will span the month of February and allow participants to record their progress. The intramural sports page describes the event as a, “Self-guided triathlon with alternative track options!” This year along with the traditional biking, running and swimming, participants will also be able to track a 2,000-foot vertical climb on the rock wall and row 20,000 meters. Senior Coordinator of Sports and Camp Programs, Samantha Wary, said the previous coordinator wanted to make the Ironman more inclusive for people who couldn’t swim. “They had come up with a few ideas, so this year we kind of finalized that and added the climb and the row to make it more accessible to anyone,” Wary said. The event is a month long, but in previous years participants have managed to get it done in one day. “There are a few students [in the past] who have challenged themselves to get it done in a day,” Wary said. “I’m
very interested to see if that actually happens.” Wary says that participants will receive an email on Feb. 1 which will allow them to track their progress. Everyone who registers will receive a CWU Indoor Ironman shirt, and those who win in each category may win a HydroFlask with a logo on it if Recreation gets the right approvals, according to Wary. “Just something a little bit extra for those people who do finish first in the sense of competition that the Ironman normally brings” Wary said. Wary said the number of participants in winter quarter of 2020 was the highest at 133 participants. As of this publication, 24 people have signed up. “We hope for high numbers, but understand that this year it still may be difficult,” Wary said. Wary went on to say that she wants the event to be as open and accessible as possible this year so people can participate. “If you can find a way to do it outside, then please come and join us because we want to have you as part of our participants,” Wary said. Registration ended on Jan. 31, and the event will run through the whole month of February.
EVENTS
Page 08
February 02, 2022
Wildcat Words: What do you miss the most about pre-COVID?
Jake Pearsons Fr. Secondary Math Edu.
“Not wearing masks.”
Q & A
Maddie Roberts
Anthony Coraggio
Fr. Family and Consumer Science Education
Fr. Computer Sciences
Fr. Film
“Getting to travel freely.”
“Seeing everyone’s faces normally.”
“I feel like no one has any patience for each other anymore. People aren’t as hospitable as they used to be. I don’t see as much compassion.”
with
S A R A H JAQUETTE R A Y
Jackson Pennington
weekly events 2
3
THURS
1-2 p.m. Wellness Wednesday-Chakra Bracelets @ SURC 137A 8-10 p.m. Geek Out, Game Out @ SURC 137A, 137B, 100C (Pit) 10-11 p.m. Improv Night The Hot New Jam @ 2-3 p.m. Notes to Neighbors SURC Theater 210 @ SURC Pit (100C) 6-7 p.m. Game Night with Digital Marketing club @ SURC 135
4
8-10 p.m. Over-the-TOPera @ McIntyre 174 10-11:30 p.m. Hot New Jam: CWU’s Improv Group @ SURC Theater 210
WED
Meet Sarah Jaquette Ray, author of “A Field Guide To Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet,” which she discussed in a virtual event on Feb. 1. Currently a professor at Humboldt State University, Ray received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies from Swarthmore College and a Master of Arts in American Studies from the University of Texas. Ray completed her doctoral studies at the University of Oregon in Environmental Sciences, Studies and Policy after becoming interested in the social justice aspects of environmental issues. A: I was taking graduate courses in American Studies. I was interested in being interdisciplinary, and in doing something related to social justice, but it wasn’t until I took a course with Diana K. Davis that I realized the environment and “nature” was a really important and understudied lens through which to think about social justice, which seemed counterintuitive at the time. I came to environmental studies because it seemed like a wide-open field for interdisciplinary innovation, especially in the humanities, and because there was this big gap I wanted to help bridge between environmental ideas and social justice. It felt important and real, not just academic or irrelevant.
FRI
Q: What first interested you in environmental studies?
Q: What kind of connections, if any, do you find within religious studies and environmental studies?
5 6 7
National Pickle DayWildcat 10 a.m - 1 p.m. Winter Preview Day @ SURC 10 p.m. - midnight Tacky Prom-Late Night @ SURC Ballroom
MON
1-2 p.m. ASCWU Public Meeting @ SURC Pit (100C) 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Monday Movie Madness: Eternals
8
7-8 p.m. Composition 12-1 p.m. Book@club: A Field Studio Recital McIntyre Guide to Climate Anxiety @ Hall 174 Samuelson 103 7 p.m. Intramural Basketball @ SURC Gym
A: There are several answers. The easiest one is that religious beliefs are at the foundation of different communities’ views of nature, and therefore their relative symbiosis with or harm to nature, such as dominion vs. stewardship, indigenous wisdom and reciprocity and animism, Cartesian dualism coming out of Enlightenment, capitalism and the “protestant ethic.” Second, and relatedly, as Gus Speth, Robin Wall Kimmerer and others have famously written, science doesn’t have all the answers. The revolution to care about the harm we do to each other and the land will be one of the heart and a moral one.
SAT
Q: Living in dorms and apartments, it may feel difficult as college students to “do our part” in combating climate change. What can we do to help?
SUN
A: College students are in a lab for the work they’ll do for the rest of their lives. Why wait? We need to develop the practices early and often of building community, learning how to balance self-care and activism, figuring out where your advocacy meets your passion, gaining experience leading, participating, joining and showing up. All of this can be done right now. Scale is a myth. Small is all, as Adrienne Maree Brown reminds us. We are the ocean in a drop, like a rhizome. Also, youth have a unique superpower. They are more adaptable, energetic and idealistic. They occupy a rhetorical position of moral authority to hold others accountable… Use it! Q: What would you tell your younger self and why? A: So much. Your powerlessness is a myth capitalism is selling. Don’t buy it. Know yourself and don’t be controlled by your fear of others’ views of you or pleasing others. Be alone more, be silent more. Don’t fill voids. Discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong. Q: What animal would you be and why?
TUES
A: A manatee. Just look at them! Totally chill.
National Frozen Yogurt Day
Q: What are your top three hobbies? A: Talking one-on-one with close friends, especially with coffee and a really good pastry. Traveling and learning about other places and people. Laying in bed for hours in the morning to read or meditate, journal, be alone with myself. Photo courtesy of Sarah Jaquette Ray Wildcat Words - Dylan Hanson. Q&A - Addie Adkins
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