Spring 2022

PULSE CWU’S STUDENT-RUN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2022

HEAD COVERINGS THE MANY

Hands You’ll Hold IN COLLEGE

LEARN MY NAME, NOT MYEthnicity YOUR GUIDE TO

CAR CAMPING: NATURE’S BEST HOTEL

SPRING 2022

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FASHION OUTDOORS

OUTDOORS 8 A Guide to Fly Fishing in Central Washington: Connect With Nature on the Water 1 0 Your Guide to Car Camping: Nature’s Best Hotel 1 4 Make A Splash! Snorkeling in Washington 1 6 Hit the Trail, Bike the ‘Burg MIND + BODY 2 0 Walk the Walk 2 2 No Glove, No Love

Photo by Inderjit Singh

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what’s INSIDE 2 4 The Many Hands You’ll Hold In College 2 8 Plants To The Rescue SPOTLIGHT 3 2 PCOS: The Condition That Never Sleeps 3 6 Let’s Talk, Man 4 2 Learn My Name, Not My Ethnicity FASHION 4 8 Cultural Head Coverings

5 2 From Screen to Closet 5 6 Pet Pimpin’ FOOD + DRINK 6 0 Grill the Shiitake Out of This Season 6 2 Central’s Cultural Cuisine 6 6 This Bowl Kicks Acai AFTER DARK 6 8 Mental Health in the Metaverse 7 2 Local Myths 74 Behind the Bar: A look Inside 301 7 9 PULSE Picks

O N T H E C OV E R Victoria Dennis, psychology major at CWU, modeling a head scarf for our Cultural Head Coverings story.

Photo by Max Cox Design by Katie Jo Stewart

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60 SPRING 2022

3

Noah Wright copy editor (he/him)

Paije Maas assistant editor (she/her)

Kate Caviezel social media & web manager (she/her)

Sarah Stewart lead designer (she/her)

Lexi Wicks editor-in-chief (she/her)

Katie Jo Stewart art director (she/her)

Dylan Hanson director of photography (he/him)

Emma CrowE associate editor (she/they)

SPRING 2022 LEADERSHIP STAFF BEHIND THE SCENES EDITION

PULSE STAFF Editorial

Design

Multimedia

editor-in-chief Lexi Wicks

art director Katie Jo Stewart

associate editor Emma CrowE

lead designer Sarah Stewart

social media & web manager Kate Caviezel

assistant editor Paije Maas

designers Thong (Samuel) Lam Evelyn Perez-Sanchez Huynh Tran Edgar Roa Makayla Zayic

copy editor Noah Wright writers Omar Benitez Star Diavolikis Gabby Kutch Emily Lyon Ty McPhee Deacon Tuttle Katlyn White

Advising faculty adviser Jennifer Green 509-963-3216 jennifer.green@cwu.edu

Photography director of photography Dylan Hanson photographers Max Cox Inderjit Singh Katie Jo Stewart Lexi Wicks

PULSE magazine is a student-run lifestyle magazine, both in print and online at www.cwupulsemagazine.com. PULSE produces one issue an academic quarter. Student editors make policy and content decisions for the magazine, which serves as a public forum for student expression. PULSE serves the Central Washington University community with informative, engaging and interactive content covering campus and community life, trends and issues, and providing practical magazine and multimedia training.

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N O T e s F R O M THE EDITOR I began working for PULSE my first year at CWU in the midst of the pandemic. I spent hours in my shoe box of a bedroom at a small desk editing photos, writing articles and attending online classes. I remember feeling unqualified and lost on most days.

Now, I find myself sitting at the same small desk, just two short years later, writing my last editor’s note as editor in chief of the publication. When I look back on my time at PULSE, I see groups of people that mentored me, encouraged me, and most importantly - believed in me when I did not.

Each article teaches me something new about the world, and each colleague teaches me a new skill and quickly becomes a new friend. Without this team and staff I would not be where I am today and this magazine would not be sitting in your hands. I cannot thank this staff enough for all their hard work, all of the late nights and all of the long calls that they endured in order to make this issue the best it can be for our readers.

After graduation, I hope to become a travel/adventure writer, as it is a passion of mine. In honor of summer and my love for all things outdoors, we have added an outdoors section to this issue of PULSE Magazine. Full of inspiration for your next summer adventure, our outdoor section will give you all the information you need to explore the outdoor paradise sitting in our own backyards. Flip to page 8 to start reading our outdoor section.

Another story that is near and dear to my heart is PCOS: The Condition That Never Sleeps. While in my first year at CWU, I had some health problems that led me to the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Finding information about this condition was difficult and I often had to advocate for my own care. Many women are affected by PCOS, and most have yet to be diagnosed. Jump to page 32 to see if you should be tested for PCOS. Mental health is something we all struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Instilling habits and checking in with ourselves can be essential when prioritizing our mental health. In this issue of PULSE there are several articles that can help you on your journey. Finding what treatments and habits that are right for you will keep you feeling your best. Our story Plants to the Rescue gives a new perspective on how plants can change your mood and build healthy habits. Flip to page 28 to give it a read.

Men’s mental health is a topic that is often overlooked. In the story Let’s Talk, Man it focuses directly on men’s mental health and helps break down the stigmas surrounding it. Turn to page 36 to read more.

I have had so much fun creating content for our readers throughout these last two years. I have no doubt the leadership next year will do an incredible job creating content and take this magazine to new heights. So, without further adieu, I present the Spring 2022 issue of PULSE Magazine.

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visit our website at www.cwupulsemagazine.com

click the multimedia tab to view photos, videos and podcasts

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OUTDOORS

IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON CONNECT WITH NATURE ON THE WATER Story by Omar Benitez | Photos by Dylan Hanson Design by Edgar Roa & Katie Jo Stewart

It’s time to see why the Yakima Canyon is Washington State’s fly fishing paradise, and the best place for you to cast your line.

At 214 miles in length, the Yakima River is one of the state’s longest rivers.

It’s also the state’s only blue ribbon trout stream, meaning all trout are naturally reproducing and it meets fish per mile requirements. The Yakima Canyon in particular has the highest number of fish per mile of any river in Washington, averaging around 1200 fish per mile.

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WHERE TO GET STARTED: Getting equipped properly is the first step in fly fishing.

A basic beginner setup will cost you under $200.

BASIC GEAR NEEDED: • • • •

Fly Rod Fly Reel Fishing Line Flies

EXTRA OPTIONAL GEAR: • • • • • • • •

Leaders Waders Wading Boots Net Nippers Polarized Glasses Hemostats or Fishing Pliers Stream Thermometer

Red’s Fly Shop in the Yakima Canyon has been serving Ellensburg and Central Washington fly fishers since the early 1990s and is an outfitters shop for anything you need for fly fishing. Apart from gear, the shop also provides many services.

SERVICES INCLUDE: • • • • •

Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Classes Guided Fishing Tours Specific Fishing Style Courses Fishing Boat and Raft Rentals Destination Fishing Trips Around the World

Now that you’re ready to go fishing, let’s look at some good fishing spots around the Yakima River. The Yakima River remains open to fishing year round.

Pictured to the left, Bob Miller, manager of Red’s Fly Shop and contributor to the information above.

FISHING SPOTS ON THE YAKIMA RIVER: • • • •

Big Pines Recreation Site Luma Creek McPherson Canyon Umptanum Road Bridge

But the Yakima River isn’t the only place you can cast. Check out some of these other spots.

OTHER GOOD FISHING SPOTS NEAR TOWN: • • • • • • • • •

Lake Easton Manastash Creek Teanaway River Cle Elum Lake Cle Elum River Kiwanis Pond Mattoon Lake McCabe Pond Taneum Creek

For students interestested in giving fly fishing a try, CWU Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals has rafts with fishing row frames available for rent. Rental options include for daily, weekend and weekly rentals, with rates depending on the option you select.

(Note: no gear rental options are offered by CWU OPR)

OUTDOORS

CAR

Your Guide to

camping

Nature’s Best Hotel Story & Photos by Lexi Wicks | Design by Katie Jo Stewart

We live in an outdoor paradise. It’s time to see the beauty in our own backyards.

Car camping is an affordable and fun way to experience the outdoors. With low gear costs and easy set up and take down, car camping is the perfect compromise to saving money while still having a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

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PLACES TO CAMP NEAR THE BURG: • • • • • • • •

Bighorn Campground Ellensburg KOA Journey Big Pines Recreation Site Umtanum Creek Recreation Site Lmuma Creek Recreation Site Taneum Campground Icewater Creek Campground Ponderosa Campground

• • •

Eagle Valley Campground Roza Campground Liberty Campground

OUTDOORS

EASY CAMP MEAL OPTIONS: You could pre-prepare and cook almost any meal before camping. Then, just warm up your meal over the fire to enjoy. It is similar to how you would warm up leftovers in the microwave, but over a fire.

BREAKFAST:

CAMP COFFEE:

•

If you are anything like me, you can’t start the day without a cup of coffee in hand. Going camping does not mean you must give up your morning cup of joe. Simply purchase a few packets of your favorite instant coffee and invest in a small kettle. Get that water boiling over the fire, pour it into your favorite mug, stir in your instant coffee and enjoy.

• •

•

Bagels and Cream cheese - Toast over a morning fire and the bagel could potentially be used for bagel sandwiches in the afternoon.

Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls - Toast over the campfire and drizzle the frosting once they are nice and brown.

Overnight Oats - Prepare your favorite overnight oat recipe before leaving for camping and simply just pull your delicious breakfast out of the cooler when you’re ready to enjoy.

Yogurt - Top it with fruit and granola.

SNACKS: • • •

Trail mix Fruit of choice Hummus and crackers

LUNCH/DINNER: •

•

•

•

•

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Hot dogs - Roast over the fire. Make sure to bring buns and all of the condiments you may want to put on your hot dog.

Sandwiches - Just some bread, choice of lunch meat and cheese will be the perfect meal to keep you full while having fun throughout the day.

Pasta/Ramen - Boil some water over the fire in any pot or kettle. Then, simply add the ramen and seasoning. It is a quick, easy and warm meal in minutes.

Walking Tacos - Warm up some precooked ground beef over the fire.

Open a bag of your favorite corn chips, put the beef, green chiles, diced tomatoes, diced green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream and any other toppings you desire on top. Your bag of chips have now become walking tacos. Enjoy using a fork.

Lastly, don’t forget to pack all the ingredients for s’mores!

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ESSENTIAL GEAR: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Headlamp Garbage bag (to make sure you leave no trash behind) Lighter Flashlight First aid kit (never hurts to be prepared) Sleeping pad Sleeping bag/blankets Camp chairs Firewood Cooler Toilet paper Baby wipes Hand sanitizer Sunscreen and insect repellent Window coverings - A cheap way to cover your windows at night is to buy black poster boards and cut them to fit on the inside of all your car windows.

CAR CAMPING TIPS + TRICKS: •

• • • •

Fill up your tank. Start your weekend with a full tank of gas. Oftentimes campgrounds are in rural areas with little to no options for gas nearby.

Take all of your trash back with you to dispose of.

Store food in your car (this prevents hungry critters from stealing your dinner in the middle of the night).

Bring lots of water.

Turn your car lights off. You’ll probably be opening and closing the doors often. Save your battery by making sure the inside lights are not turning on and off every time you may need to grab something or unload.

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OUTDOORS

MAKE A SPLASH! SNORKELING IN WASHINGTON Story & Photos by Dylan Hanson Design by Katie Jo Stewart

PLACES TO SNORKEL IN WASHINGTON:

Snorkeling is a great way to explore new places and see beautiful sea life up close.

Washington has a variety of places to snorkel and discoveries to be made.

Snorkeling requires a simple set up and it’s a great way to go on new adventures.

• • • • • • • • •

Olympic View Marina Shine Tidelands State Park Edmonds Underwater Park Illahee State Park Mukilteo State Park Sunrise Beach Park Rosario Beach Alki Beach Park Titlow Beach

GEAR FOR A SIMPLE SETUP: • • • •

Mask - make sure it fits your head before purchasing.

Snorkel - find one with a comfortable mouthpiece.

Fins - loose fins are the worst so you want to make sure you find one that are comfortable but won’t slip off and sink to the sea floor.

TIPS: •

If you’re taking your mask off temporarily, put it around your neck. In stronger currents, the waves can knock your mask off if it’s sitting on your forehead.

•

Be conscious of not making contact with sea life and terrain especially when using your fins.

•

Don’t go on an empty stomach but be conscious of what you eat beforehand.

•

Come hydrated and make sure to drink lots of water.

•

If water gets in your mask, first take a breath from your snorkel. Then press the top of your mask firmly against your forehead at a slight angle.

Blow a breath of air through your mask to clear the water out and quickly seal the mask back on your face.

GEAR FOR COLDER WATER: • • • •

Wetsuit - finding the right wetsuit size can be frustrating at times but just be patient.

Gloves - if you have bad circulation these are a lifesaver, especially in colder water.

Boots - these are great especially when exiting from rougher terrain.

Hood - this along with everything else you should be ready to go!

ADDITIONAL GEAR: • • • • • •

Towels - a must have for obvious reasons but the microfiber ones are the best.

Blankets - help yourself warm up after a snorkel trip in colder water.

Hand Warmers - also good to have just in case.

Mesh Bag - consolidating everything into a smaller space helps when traveling with multiple pieces of gear.

Waterproof Phone Case - snap some shots while you’re exploring and you can share them right after!

Underwater Camera - capture video and new memories. The GoPro Hero 9 seems to be a good standard.

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OUTDOORS

Story by Lexi Wicks Design By Evelyn Perez-Sanchez & Katie Jo Stewart

Hitthe Trail, BIke the

‘Burg

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There is nothing quite like hitting your first downhill. The wind in your face, the short break for your legs. After a long day of biking the ‘Burg, there are sure to be friends around a table with great food and drinks in hand, celebrating another trail conquered.

This is mountain biking.

Test Drive Maybe you’re not sure if you want to dive into a new hobby. That’s completely understandable. It requires a good chunk of change, but the sights, exercise and new friends could make it all worth it.

There are adult camps for mountain biking education through Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance that will teach you all of the basics on the trail. They also have other events and recommended trails listed on their website.

Rotary Park Bicycle Skills Park is a good place to find your bearings and

try new gear without even leaving town.

Another great resource is right here on campus. There are so many opportunities at OPR to go on guided mountain biking trips in order to get a better understanding of the sport.

Guided Trips Through OPR

1 Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Shuttles COST: $15 CWU students, $20 non-students

2

3

Mountain Bike Clinics COST: $15 CWU students, $20 non-students

Naneum Ridge Mountain Biking COST: $20 students, $25 for non-students

Photo above and to the left contributed by Patrick Zuest

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OUTDOORS

How to Get Started Starting a new hobby can be challenging: buying expensive gear, learning new skills and trying to find friends to come along. Colton Beutel, ReCycle Shop manager, has been mountain biking for years.

He spent so much time in the bike shop that one day, the owner decided it was time to put him to work. Now the manager, he helps everyone from beginners to regulars with all things mountain biking.

Beutel suggests first figuring out where you are going to ride. What is the terrain like? Where you are riding will make a huge difference on what bike you’ll need. “We are right on the edge of the cascades, so if we go east it’s very mellow. If we go west or north it’s more elevation, more terrain,” Beutel says.

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He suggests if you are riding predominantly in Kittitas County, to start with a hardtail or a cross country full suspension mountain bike. “Which is plenty for around here. You’ll use every bit of what the bike offers,” says Beutel.

But if you find yourself on the West side or more North, you may want more of a trail bike with more suspension.

Shops in town, like the RecCycle Shop, are great resources to get started, get repairs, get new gear and more.

Do you have a friend that has a bike you can borrow? Or maybe you already have a bike but it needs some repairs before hitting the trail? The ReCycle Shop will be set up outside of OPR making free repairs to bikes. Look to the right for more information.

FREE Bicycle Maintenance Clinics COST: FREE

Photo below by Lexi Wicks Photo to the right contributed

by Patrick Zuest

Mountain Biking Community Some may enjoy mountain biking as an escape: from the city, from life and from people. But for some, it is the community that gives mountain biking its charm. People to keep you going on the uphills and friends to meet you at the local bars and restaurants to reminisce about the ride.

Asking a friend to spend a couple hundred bucks on gear for a hobby they are not interested in, is a big ask. But there is a community of mountain bikers just waiting to meet you.

If you are looking for local mountain bikers to adventure with, here are a few places to start: •

Kittitas Mountain Bike Forum Facebook Group (currently 958 members)

•

PNW Mountain Bikers Facebook Group (currently 12,000 members)

•

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (they hold events, rides and education camps)

•

Guided OPR trips (previously listed)

Meeting fellow mountain bikers is a great way to find people to bike with, buy used gear and get to know nearby trails.

Biking near the ‘Burg All of these mountain biking trails are at Intermediate Level, according to the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

•

Manastash Ridge Northface Ride

•

Manastash Ridge Southface Ride

•

Taneum Canyon

•

Joe Watt Canyon

•

Lower West Fork Teanaway

•

Rat Pac

•

Table Mountain

•

Jolly Mountain

•

Cooper River

•

Freund Canyon/Rosy Boa

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MIND + BODY

Story by Star Diavolikis Photo by Dylan Hanson Design by Thong Lam & Katie Jo Stewart After sitting at your computer all morning in meetings and zoom classes you are craving some time away from the screen and on your feet. You want to find ways to get more active now that you’re spending more and more time sitting down throughout the day. But being active doesn’t always mean taking the time to go to the gym.

Depending on your schedule, lifestyle or preferences, you may not have the time to go to the gym every day. But you don’t have to run on a treadmill or lift weights each day in order to make an effort to start moving. Working in something as simple as a walk into your day could be a huge game changer.

THE BENEFITS OF WALKING Walking can be a good way to get your body moving, depending on what your goals are. Brian McGladrey, associate professor and co-chair in the Department of Sport & Movement Studies, explains the specific benefits of walking compared to other activities. Differences can start by seeing if the activity is either labeled as physical activity or exercise.

“Physical activity is bodily movement that results in a caloric expenditure above a base rate,” McGladrey says. “Whereas exercise is defined as strategic planned activities and intended to address measures of aerobic capacity, muscular strength, flexibility.” He goes on to say that the transition from just sitting in a chair, to walking, to running increases the caloric expenditure, which helps keep body weight consistent.

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Aerobic walking graduate student instructor Briley Walker says that walking is beneficial because it is good for building up cardio and strength after things like a surgery, or just trying to get in better shape.

Walking also is simply more achievable and accessible.

“Because you don’t really need any more equipment. You don’t have a place to go, you can just step outside and start walking,” he says.

The activity also helps with joint issues and back pain. As McGladrey says, “You know, those types of things that we see increase in individuals who spend too much time sitting.” He says that many people, nearly most people, spend too much time sitting.

McGladrey says being disconnected from social media and technology while walking provided benefits beyond physical improvements. One may see an improvement in their current mental state of mind. He and Walker say being disconnected from social media and technology while walking provides an opportunity to give yourself a break and just relax.

LACE UP Having the right shoes that are supportive are essential, especially when walking far. McGladrey mentions that bad shoe choices can cause arch, foot, ankle and knee issues. Many

joints are affected when walking without the proper footwear.

Walker recommends having a shoe that has a “bit of bounce” for the ankle. He says this is to keep you from just being grounded and provides ankle support.

McGladrey says the best shoe is something with good support, fits the arch of your foot and is just plain comfortable.

He uses running shoes to walk in, and knows to replace them after a certain amount of miles is put in. Wearing the shoes out can cause harm in the long run.

According to huffpost.com, where professionals were asked this question, shoes should be replaced every 300 - 500 miles.

You can keep track of this with a workout watch or app.

WALKING THE BURG There are so many options for walking in the Burg. Throughout town, there are plenty of sidewalks making a walk to your favorite coffee shop or to class safe and accessible. There are also built in walking trails in several parks and within communities open to public use at any time.

Some local parks that all have walking trails: McElroy Park, Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, West Ellensburg Park and North Alder Street Park.

Vandan Amin pictured right, Parker Thompson pictured left.

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MIND + BODY

No Gl ve, No L ve Story By Lexi Wicks | Design By Evelyn Perez-Sanchez Sex. It’s a word that is not always talked about within households and a topic that many students wouldn’t dare to bring up in the presence of family or friends. This can leave sex education limited and not often revisited despite new birth control options available.

Sex can be whatever you want it to be as long as it’s consensual and talked about with your partner. Yet there is an important question a lot of people ask themselves: what birth control should we use?

Male Condoms

76-

–Doesn’t protect against STIs and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times a day (due to the irriation from spermicide) –Increases UTIs

79

Female condom Pros:

–Provides protection against STIs –Can be inserted well before intercourse (less interruption) –Male does not need to withdraw right after ejaculation, as he does with a male condom

Cons:

–May move or be uncomfortable –Can only use for one act of sex –Cost about $2.50 each

Arm Implant - (Nexplanon)

ve

% Effecti

Pros:

–Long-term method: 3 years after insertion - it can be removed by a health care provider when you want to or you can wait for 3 years when it’s time for a change of implant –May cause light or loss of menstrual periods

Cons:

–Does not protect against STIs –Requires minor surgery and insertion of tiny rod(s) underneath skin –May have side effects: irregular periods, depression, nervousness, hair loss and weight gain

All health information is sourced from the Center for Young Women’s Health.

e ctiv

e

9

Cons:

Ef 9 9% f e

Effectiv 9%

– Does not protect against STIs –Slightly higher in risk of infection in the first 20 days after insertion –The Copper IUD can have side effects: cramping, heavy period and spotting in between menstrual periods

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–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Not very effective method of contraception –Difficult for male to always predict ejaculation –No control by women - need to rely completely on men to prevent pregnancy

–Have to use a new one every time you have sex –May disrupt/interupt sex –Women may be allergic to latex

–Protects as soon as it’s inserted –Doesn’t need daily attention (check once a month to see if it’s in place) –Comfortable (you cannot feel it) –Lessens menstrual flow (can be effective for heavy periods)

–Can insert right before or several hours before sex, provides protection for 24 hours –Doesn’t need a prescription

Cons:

Cons:

Pros:

Pros:

–Doesn’t cost anything –Allows men to be an active part of preventing pregnancy

–Provides protection against STIs –Doesn’t cost much and can buy at almost any drug store –Men feel they can last longer when using a condom –Allow men to have an active part in preventing pregnancy

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The Sponge

–Natural, no side effects

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Ef 83% fec

Pros:

Pros:

Cons:

% Effectiv

tive

Withdrawal (Pulling Out)

e

% Effectiv

e

87

It is essential to know your options. You know your body better than anyone. The decision is yours to make.

Cervical cap

The Patch (Xulane®)

Pros:

–Makes periods more regular and lighter –Decreases cramps and acne –Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts and anemia –Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity

Cons:

–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Costs $30-$50, plus the cost of spermicidal gel –Needs to get fitted by a healthcare provider –Needs a prescription –Limited sizes available –Can’t take out until 6-8 hours after intercourse –May get moved out of place –Some women may be allergic to the cap or spermicide –Can’t be used by women with a history of abnormal pap tests –Can cause an increase in UTIs

93

–Periods are more regular and lighter –Decreases menstrual cramps –Makes you less likely to get ovarian cysts and anemia –Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity

Cons:

–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications –May have side effects: nausea, increased appetite and headaches –Increased risk of blood clots

Pros:

–Menstrual periods are more regular and lighter –Decreases menstrual cramps and acne –Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts and anemia –Doesn’t protect against STIs –Depending on insurance, it could cost a co-pay –You need to remember to take every day at the same time –Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or taking certain medications –May have side effects: nausea, increased appetite, headaches and very rarely blood clots –Need a prescription

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Pros:

–Doesn’t cost much, available in many drug stores –Doesn’t require a prescription

Cons:

–Doesn’t protect against STIs and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times a day (due to the irriation from spermicide) –Effectiveness usually lasts only one hour (must reapply each time) –Some men or women may be allergic to spermicides –May interrupt sex –Has lower effectiveness against pregnancy than many other types of contraception

83

Effectiv 3%

The Pill

Spermicides

%E

ffective

The Diaphragm

e

–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Need to see healthcare provider every three months –Depending on insurance, it could cost a co-pay –May have side effects: weight gain, tiredness and decrease in bone density –Common to have irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting for 3-6 months, sometimes longer

Pros:

9

Cons:

& 97% E

ve

% Effecti

ctive

96

–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications –May have side effects: nausea, increased appetite, headaches and irregular bleeding within the first few cycles –Increased risk of blood clots

f fe

e

–Provides 3 months of protection –Many women stop getting menstrual periods while getting injections –Helps protect against uterine cancer –Doesn’t interupt sexual activity

Cons:

Cons:

The Ring (NuvaRing®, Annovera™) % Effectiv

Pros:

Effective

Pros:

–Can be inserted several hours before sex –Can leave in place 24-48 hours, will give protection for up to 48 hours –Use less spermicide with the cap than with the diaphragm, no need to apply more spermicide with each act of intercourse

Hormonal Injection (Depo-provera®)

91%

e

83

% Effectiv

Pros:

–Can be put in place right before intercourse or 2-3 hours before intercourse –Doesn’t need to take out between acts of sexual intercourse (protects against pregnacy for about 6 hours, however, you need to reapply spermicide)

Cons:

–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Needs to get fitted by a healthcare provider –Needs a prescription –May be difficult to find –Can’t take out until 6 hours after intercourse –Costs $25-$45, plus the cost of spermicidal gel –May get moved out of place during sex –Some women may be allergic to the diaphragm or spermicide –Need to be re-fitted after a 10 pound weight gain or loss and after pregnancy –Can be messy –Need to reapply spermicide with each act of sexual intercourse –Can cause an increase in urinary tract infections (UTI)

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MIND + BODY

THE MANY HANDS YOU’LL HOLD IN COLLEGE Story by Kat White | Photos by Dylan Hanson & Gracen Bayer | Design by Sarah Stewart Relationships come in all shapes and sizes. Each one is unique to the individual and couple that is participating in it. It takes time to figure out what you want from yourself and a partner.

Cindy Bruns, the director of Counseling Services, says, “​​College for traditionally aged students is a time of a lot of growth and exploration. ‘Who am I? Individually, who am I in a relationship with other people? What do I value? What do I like? What do I not like?’”

These are important questions students ask themselves when they are in college.

“Relationships are really integral across our lifespan,” Bruns says. “This particular developmental mark for traditional-age students, they may become maybe even more important, which can lead to the difficulty in balancing relationships with all of the other obligations and developmental tests that folks are having to navigate during this time of life.”

Students have to find what they are comfortable with and grow with themselves or other people. This helps them both grow as an individual and potentially with a partner.

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Status = Single

Being single is very complex. People can label themselves as single and still casually go on dates. People can label themselves as single and have zero romantic interactions. No matter what kind of single life someone finds themselves nestled in, each one is important for growth.

It Starts with You

According to Bruns, being single is a time to explore yourself, similar to when you’re exploring someone in a relationship.

“It also provides you with the opportunity to really just explore a number of different relationships and understand who you are and what you want within the relationship because it takes off the pressure,” says Bruns.

Eden McOmber, senior psychology major, says, “being single, you kind of wonder what type of person fits me. It’s also learning how to date in the future.”

Eden McOmber

McOmber says that there are advantages to being single, like not having the pressure to spend all of their time with someone, but there are also disadvantages like not having a cuddle buddy.

“It’s always nice to have someone to cuddle with or like having someone to say you’re beautiful,” McOmber says. “There are times that you just need someone to vent with.”

Being single does not mean that you are alone though.

Bruns says that we are driven to connect and have relationships with people.

“Being single doesn’t mean you can’t have relationships,” Bruns says. “If you can take away the pressure of needing to be in a partnered relationship or find the one or whatever kind of cultural myths are out there. Then it also provides you with the opportunity to really just explore a number of different relationships and understand who you are and what you want within a relationship.”

Swipe Right

Dating apps, meeting at Club 301 or bumping into someone on the way to class are a number of ways for students to meet a potential partner.

“Hookup culture can be a way for people to explore their sexuality and their sexual orientations and to take possession of their bodies, and make decisions about what they do with their bodies with whom and when and all of those things that can feel very empowering for folks,” says Bruns.

People can attempt to use hookup culture in a way to reclaim their bodies after a loss of control, Bruns says. It is important to reflect on a student’s values when going on casual dates, according to Bruns.

Bruns says a student’s “values and motivations behind it are an important part of successfully navigating hookup culture in a way that leaves people feeling good at the end, rather than feeling isolated.”

Dating apps are a form of dating that McOmber participates in. McOmber said that she enjoys dating apps, but she is cautious.

“It’s also a bit scary because you don’t know if they’re catfishing you,” McOmber says. “That’s why sometimes I would have my friends to go in the food place before and be like, ‘Yeah, he’s real.’”

No Labels

Seeing someone regularly but not being exclusively partnered defines a situationship.

“Those are really a great opportunity,” Bruns says. “So often there’s this rush to put a label on something or define the relationship because sometimes it’s hard not knowing.”

Bruns says the slow build-up with this kind of relationship can be more beneficial to the relationship as a whole.

“If it does transform in some way there’s perhaps more depth to it and more understanding and walking into something with your eyes wide open rather than colored with the sort of infatuation that can come from quickly developing relationships that blind us to some things, but then surprise us later on,” says Bruns.

Situationships can lead to some anxieties without the definitions, according to Bruns.

Bruns says, “If folks can kind of talk that through and acknowledge those anxiety feelings and talk with each other about it, it can be really positive too.”

Bruns says that not all of these types of relationships end up in exclusive partnering.

“Not every relationship has to end up being a partnered relationship even if there’s an attraction, physical attraction or mental attraction,” Bruns says. “It’s okay for those relationships to stay friendships too. There’s not a fated road that a relationship has to go down.”

Romantic Relationships

College relationships take many forms. There are those who are bending on one knee or updating their bio with a heart next to someone’s name.

Hey Boo

When a relationship is official, there are clear expectations about who someone is dating and clear agreements about what the relationship means, according to Bruns.

“Psychologically that just gives us a lot of comfort,” Bruns says. “Exclusive dating or partner dating in college gives us a really great opportunity to also learn about staying in relationships in the midst of conflict and really working through difficult things with someone.”

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MIND + BODY Sometimes the relationships need to be dissolved if the conflict becomes too big, says Bruns.

“It can be easy as a couple to then focus just on time with each other, which means you might miss out on other important parts of the college experience like clubs or orgs, or going to events or developing other friendships,” Bruns says.

Bruns says that in college it is important to nurture friendships and one’s own interests while also nurturing the relationship. Bruns states that building your network, in and out of romantic partnerships, is beneficial.

“The ability to have a kind of wide and deep network of people who are supportive and care for us can fill us with different needs at different times is really important,” Bruns says.

Two alumni, Gabriel Strasbaugh, a former Pulse writer, and Djjin McCarter have been dating for two and a half years.

They say they credit CWU with the start of their relationship.

“I definitely credit CWU, because it was a definite,” Strasbaugh says. “It was a centerpiece, just like Central was the center where everyone came together from all kinds of walks of life. I was lucky enough to meet her.”

Letting a relationship grow and mature is important in a relationship, according to McCarter.

“I was seeing it every day. I was seeing change and growth over a period of time,” McCarter says. “Relationships grow and change and us being able to look back on when we were just friends and acknowledging the change and growth, helps us to look forward and to be excited for the future growth.”

Strasbaugh says he liked the security of having a girlfriend in college.

“I was able to say, ‘She’s going to understand that I have to go and do this assignment,’” Strasbaugh says. “That to me was big in college because when you’re in college, you truly get tested. You get tested beyond belief.”

Strasbaugh and McCarter both say that sharing goals was an important part of college relationships.

“You both have the same goals in terms of I have to get this assignment done,” Strausbaugh says. “I have to get this test done. I have to study and that’s something that you can definitely relate to one another.”

“ There’s not a fated road that a relationship has to go down.”

Separate but Connected

Long distance relationships have a lot more planning involved, according to Bruns.

“There’s the desire for that physical closeness,” Bruns says. “It also requires a lot more intentionality, about spending time together and being able to be together in whatever way works best.”

Sara Twedt, CWU paramedic major, and Mac Owens, Western Washington University art studio major, are currently in a long distance relationship. They met in high school and have continued dating through college.

“It definitely strengthens your emotional relationship without having any of the physical aspects of it,” Twedt says.

“Which for some people, that’s make or break but for us, it’s been good just to work on our communication and get to know each other better at the beginning.”

Along with communication, having independent lives is an advantage Bruns says.

“We’re pretty understanding about each other’s lives,” Owens says. “It doesn’t revolve around each other. We’re indepen26

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Max Cox & Ellie Camp

dent, but like to complement each other. So, that’s what I’ve always liked about our relationship.”

Twedt and Owens both mention that it was important for their relationship to start off together before moving to long distance. Owens says that it was difficult to start long distance, but knowing each other before helped.

Bruns says there is a disadvantage with long distance couples not developing a relationship with the people and place that they live in.

“Long distance relationships also require a lot of trust and a really solid foundation before people go into a long-distance relationship,” Bruns says. “Otherwise, it can sometimes for folks lead to questioning or jealousy or uncertainty.”

There is also the added difficulty of not being able to participate in a significant other’s love language like physical touch, according to Owens and Twedt.

“Both our love languages are physical touch,” Twedt says. “We just tried to make up for it by trying to do little FaceTime dates and talking every day, playing games, stuff like that and then visiting whenever we can.”

Put a Ring on It

College students are getting engaged and married.

Because traditionally aged college students are going through a time of change and exploration, a marriage must be able to reflect that, according to Bruns.

“The marriage relationship or the engagement relationship means being able to tolerate change because who you are if you decide to get married at 18 may be very different to who you are when you’re 24 together,” Bruns says.

Going through those relationships with other people at an early age can sometimes lead people to not realize their preferences, according to Bruns.

“You might not have learned what it means to be committed to an individual as well as develop your own relationship network,” Bruns says. “On the positive side, you go through big growth together and experience college and learning and growing in those ways.”

The culture of these days tends towards dating for a long time and then getting married, says Bruns.

Sara Twedt & Mac Owens

“There can be this kind of idea that being married is just like the legal step and nothing really changes,” Bruns says. “I can say from my personal experience dating long term and getting married, there is something psychological about signing that piece of paper and making it legal that shifts expectations and a certain level of commitment.”

Put Yourself First

“The underpinning of all of this is no matter what the type of relationship: single, situationship, hooking up, exclusive, marriage, all that, we bring our entire relational history with us into each of those experiences,” Bruns says.

Focusing on a person’s needs is the most important thing in navigating the dating life in college, according to Bruns.

“That will be a different combination for each person at different points in their life,” Bruns says. “Tuning into yourself is the most important piece and being able to enter into various relationships in a healthy manner.”

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MIND + BODY

Plants to the Rescue Story by Emily Lyon Photos by Inderjit Singh Design by Huynh Tran

Looking for a serotonin boost to get through the rest of your day? Have you tried dirt? Studies show that certain bacteria found in soil causes a release of serotonin in the brain. The vivid colors of a blossoming flower isn’t the only way to brighten your day with plants.

Getting your hands dirty is only the topsoil on the list of ways caring for plants can benefit your mental health. From a single breath of fresh air to an expansive network of supportive plant lovers, reasons to start your indoor garden keep growing.

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FRIENDLY BACTERIA Physiology professor Christopher Lowry has published many studies linking the exposure to certain healthy bacteria to mental health. One of these studies concluded that the bacteria, mycobacterium vaccae, showed effects similar to that of antidepressants with long lasting effects that could possibly even prevent stress related disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder according to the article titled “Identification and characterization of a novel anti-inflammatory lipid isolated from Mycobacterium vaccae, a soil-derived bacterium with immunoregulatory and stress resilience properties.” Boosting the immune system with this bacteria could cause certain neurons in the brain to release serotonin which, among many other functions, controls our mood. A little dirt could go a long way given the chance.

April Rohrbach, the owner of The Botany Shop in Ellensburg

April Rohrbach, the owner of The Botany Shop in Ellensburg, has heard of this phenomenon and wants to share the joy with the customers that come into her store. “Literally potting plants makes you happy just from these bacteria in the soil,” Rohrbach says. The Botany Shop not only surrounds shoppers in foliage and nature, but also offers them a roll in the soil. To the back of the Botany Shop in front of a wall of pots varied in size and cute designs, is a counter equipped with potting soil so that customers can pick their plant, pick their pot - or bring their own from home - and get messy!

PLANT CARE IS SELF CARE Another way plants keep us present is in the routine plants create for us. They rely on us like pets to give them what they need which so happens to be similar to things that we need explains Sabeth Jackson who works at the Wellness Center on campus. “Learning to care for something else helps us to think (…) about how we care for ourselves,” she explains. People and their pets or plants need good nutrients, comfortable environments, and plenty of water and sunshine. “So, are you giving yourself those things too?” she asks us. As Rohrbach says, “Plant care is self care.” In that way we can see how true this is.

The tasks we perform to care for our plants, like watering, dusting or pruning them, also help us to create a routine for ourselves.

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MAKING CONNECTIONS Every Friday the greenhouse on campus in Ellensburg has an open house and invites anyone to come and enjoy the calming spaces immersed in meticulously cared for nature. The person behind these open houses is Linnea Stavney, Central’s greenhouse manager. Stavney says that as much as she loves caring for plants her favorite part is sharing them. “Plants connect people,” she says. “I think one of my favorite things about the greenhouse is it just brings stories out of people. People are like ‘Oh, my mom loves gardening’ or ‘Oh, my cat ate this really weird plant, what do I do?’ And you just get the weirdest stories.”

Stavney goes on to tell us how some of the plants from the greenhouse come with stories of their own. Many of the plants in the greenhouse are donated either because they grew bigger than expected and need a new home to support them or because someone with a well-loved plant collection passed away. “They are honestly some of the most beautiful plants that we have,” says Stavney, “You could tell so much love went into them.” Touched by the concept of healing and growing with the plants of your loved ones, Stavney concluded, “The idea that your memory could be passed on through plants and that people have that connection to them and wanting their plants to live on, that to be their legacy, and have them be enjoyed by other people, I think that’s pretty special.”

BEYOND YOUR ROOTS That sense of connection to each other through plants is not lost in the digital age. Online groups for plant lovers create another avenue for a network of encouragement.

Daezah, a plant collector and member of several of these groups on Facebook, explains that people in these groups most often want to learn from each other. She shares that it’s a lot of people asking for advice without judgment and comparing similar plants and differing methods; “They connect that way and make friends - build a community.” Though no online group will be without flaws, the majority seem to suggest solutions and support one another in hopes of a thriving collection of plants.

“There’s a lot of people trying to pitch in [and] help rather than say ‘Ah, you shouldn’t have that. You shouldn’t do this, not for you,’” says Daezah.

For people who are not always physically able to leave their homes or for immunocompromised people during the pandemic, indoor plant collections and online communities have become invaluable when meeting and talking face-to-face is not an option. Daezah explains, “A lot of [group members] order things online and then reach out and post things to groups and [post] like ‘Hey, look at what I got in the mail today. Any tips and tricks? Who else has these?’ It’s a lot of ‘Hey, I have that.

Plant Twins!’ It’s kinda fun.” The excitement of having a platform to communicate with people who you know are as passionate as you are makes all the difference when feelings of isolation are so dangerously common.

DISTRACTION Those close connections and community aren’t the only benefit of plants that Rohrbach has discovered at The Botany Shop. For many people, caring for plants is just the positive outlet they need. “Going around taking care of your plants allows you to engage and slowly be present which is ideal for mental health and especially [for] anxiety,” says Rohrbach. When we find our minds swirling, overthinking recent events and things out of our control, something to ground you is important and Rohrbach finds that in plants.

Inderjit Singh, a PULSE photographer, was enamored with the fresh air that filled the space. “You can definitely tell the difference between the outside air and the air in here. Super fresh,” he says. Rohrbach agreed, citing recent years with wildfires in our part of the country when the fresh air of the Botany Shop became a haven to many people hiding from the smoke just outside the door.

Singh went on to describe the lush and refreshing forest behind his house in Northwestern Washington. The freedom to do as he pleased in that space surrounded by trees provided him a quiet calm specific to his home, and it was the fresh air of the plant shop that took him back there. Nature possesses the power to transport our minds to some of our favorite and most grounding places.

According to a paper titled “Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study” by horticulture scientist Min-sun Lee, taking care of the plants in our lives can promote “comfortable, soothed and natural feelings,” resulting in reduced stress. Caring for our plants puts people at ease in a way other tasks do not.

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PC OS SPOTLIGHT

THE CONDITION THAT NEVER

Story by Emma CrowE Photos & Design by Katie Jo Stewart

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"

"

“The prevalence of PCOS is about 10-15%, which is an epidemic,” says Dr. Katherine Sherif, professor of medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition that affects a large portion of people with ovaries; however, there is a lack of information available regarding PCOS. WHAT IS PCOS?: So what exactly is PCOS? According to Dr. Sherif and Sasha Ottey, founder and executive director of PCOS Challenge, the definition of PCOS requires two out of the three following indicators: • • •

Irregular periods High androgens Polycystic ovaries

GETTING DIAGNOSED: For some people, getting diagnosed with PCOS is its own struggle. It’s not always as easy as sharing symptoms and getting diagnosed. Some doctors don’t connect the dots from one symptom of PCOS to another. According to Dr. Sherif, up to 50% of people with PCOS have not been diagnosed.

“When doctors don’t look for it in their patients, they don’t see it,” says Dr. Sherif. “For example, a dermatologist treating cystic acne may not think of PCOS. The primary care doctor may see cystic acne and think, well the dermatologist is treating that.”

In other words, it’s vital for patients to advocate for themselves.

There are a few different ways to test for PCOS, and one of them is a transvaginal ultrasound. The transvaginal ultrasound is used to check for polycystic ovaries. Polycystic ovaries are when, “The ovaries are enlarged, and have lots of little immature follicles that are enlarged that are called cysts,” says Ottey.

Transvaginal ultrasounds are not used to diagnose minors with PCOS. The other official way to diagnose PCOS is with a blood test. With the blood test, your doctor will look for an elevated level of male hormones like testosterone. A blood test is how Hannah Maslow, junior child development major, was officially diagnosed with PCOS. Maslow was about 14-15 years old when her doctor began to consider that she had PCOS. It was the list of symptoms that shed light on Maslow’s medical situation. One blood test later and her doctor’s suspicions were confirmed.

SYMPTOMS OF PCOS: The indicators of PCOS can manifest as a variety of different things. Maslow had, and continues to have, several different symptoms including weight gain, acne and irregular menstrual cycles.

Other symptoms of PCOS can include excessive hair growth and hair loss or male pattern baldness.

These symptoms stem from the hormone imbalance that defines PCOS.

YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. -DR. KATHERINE SHERIF

PCOS can also take a toll on a patient’s mental health. Maslow has been dealing with her PCOS for six years, and she only recently got to a good place with her treatment. Those six years of difficult symptoms and fluctuating hormone levels affected her teenage years.

“You’re supposed to be having a great time [in high school], but instead you’re dealing with this other health aspect,” Maslow says.

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SPOTLIGHT

IF YOU WERE BORN FEMALE AND ANSWER YES TO AT LEAST TWO OF THESE QUESTIONS, CONSIDER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DOCTOR TO TEST FOR PCOS. Do you have irregular periods?

It’s not just the stress of PCOS treatment that patients have to deal with. According to Ottey, PCOS patients have higher rates of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

CONDITIONS IT CAN LEAD TO: Dr. Sherif studied “the effect of insulin resistance and high insulin levels on the heart of African American women,” in the 1990s. It was during this time that she connected an underlying issue of insulin resistance to PCOS. That underlying issue can lead to Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Other conditions PCOS can lead to include fatty liver disease, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. These are all extremely serious conditions that can be life-threatening. If PCOS isn’t treated properly, it can be deadly.

TREATMENT OPTIONS:

Do you have problems with hair loss?

Do you have problems with excessive hair growth?

Do you have difficulty losing weight (particularly in the stomach area)?

Do you have severe acne?

There are two different types of treatment options for PCOS: lifestyle and medicinal.

As PCOS is a lifelong condition, patients have to make changes to their everyday lifestyle. However, each patient is different, and that needs to be taken into account when making any changes.

“I wish they got to know your lifestyle and what you eat,” says Maslow when talking about doctors and how they treat PCOS. Everyone’s body is different, and that means their healthcare requires different plans. A learning plan that works for your neighbor might not work for you, and the same is true for nutrition and exercise plans.

The general idea is that people with PCOS need to ensure they balance their diet and watch out for foods that will cause their glucose to spike.

Meeting with a nutritionist or dietician with knowledge of PCOS can be beneficial in creating your diet plan.

According to Ottey and Dr. Sherif, building muscle can help your body become insulin-sensitive. However, high impact workouts are not feasible for every patient. Some patients will do better with stress-reducing workouts like yoga.

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Find the form of exercise that works for you, and don’t become discouraged if it takes some time. Dr. Sherif also recommends 7-9 hours of sleep every night.

On the medicinal side of things, birth control is one of the most common medications prescribed to treat PCOS. It helps to regulate the patient’s menstrual cycle. Maslow has gone through different birth controls since she was diagnosed with PCOS six years ago. Once again, it’s all about finding the right treatment for you.

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% OF PCOS PATIENTS WILL BECOME DIABETIC OR PREDIABETIC BEFORE AGE -SASHA OTTEY

40.

Doctors may also prescribe Spironolactone, a drug that reduces the male hormones in the body. The other common drug prescribed to people with PCOS is Metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes. It is important to note that these medications have their own side effects.

THE FUTURE: As previously mentioned, PCOS is a lifelong condition. However, there aren’t many resources available for people with the syndrome.

Organizations such as PCOS Challenge hope to create change and provide more evidence-based education for patients and the health care community alike. Until that change is made, and long after, be your strongest advocate.

Don’t forget to be kind to yourself in the process. Your hormone levels and symptoms will fluctuate, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing in your treatment.

Maslow wants to tell all PCOS patients, “Be gentle on yourself, even if your levels go up.”

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SPOTLIGHT

It can be nice to hit the snooze on your alarm every once in a while and give yourself the extra five or ten minutes of rest because of a long or busy week. When you’re hitting that snooze button every day and more than once, however, it could be a sign you’re struggling with your mental health.

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Story by Ty McPhee | Design & Illustration by Sarah Stewart

Going out to drink with the boys after work or hanging out together and watching sports can only help so much. When those support systems aren’t there it can be an uphill battle for a number of men who suffer from depression and anxiety.

Mental health could be a major problem one of your “bros” could be struggling with and they choose to put on a strong face because of the stigma surrounding seeking help. The feeling of impending doom, debilitating anxiety and the lack of any sort of emotion besides sadness isn’t just for characters in a book or movie. Depression and anxiety are mental health struggles that people are facing daily, but some men aren’t seeking the help that they could need.

The Problem That’s Kept Secret

Mental health struggles are a thing and the numbers don’t lie. As of writing, the office of case management here on campus saw 675 students with 40% being male. There were 1,018 students in 2021 with 45% being male. And then 2020, with 897 students, 43% being male. These numbers aren’t students seeking services, but students that have been notified by case management as people who might need help. “We’ll say to the parent of a female identifying students ‘we really think that weekly counseling with someone who focuses on this particular issue would be great’ we hear ‘OK we’ll get that started’ you know when it’s a male student what we see on a regular basis is ‘well I

don’t think he needs that’,” says Joy Stochosky, the director at the Office of Case Management here at Central.

Stochosky provides insight on mental health and why it feels like men aren’t seeking help when it comes to these problems. She says that compared to females and talking about their problems or difficulties, getting help through counseling or other resources is put far down on the list of options for men. Quitting the job that’s causing you trouble, having a beer and then talking to your significant other before seeking counseling is discussed among peers. Stochosky wants that dynamic to shift with counseling and destigmatize it.

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SPOTLIGHT

Why The Stigma?

Oftentimes when men are plagued by some kind of anxiety or even depression it’s pushed away in favor of staying strong and doing what they think is best, even if it’s more problematic for them.

“There is a running joke for a while, it’s not that great, but if you’re on the east coast there’s something wrong with you if you don’t have a therapist there, if you’re on the west coast there’s something wrong if you do,” says Stochosky.

She also provides a number of obstacles that men find themselves facing when seeking any sort of counseling: Problem Solver Role

Men might feel like they are in a sort of problem solver role which makes them feel like in order to get past their mental health issues, they need to fix it themselves without any sort of outside help.

Weakness/“man up”

Men might see that getting outside help for themselves is a sign of weakness and

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shows that they’re not man enough for the world or the problems that they’re facing consistently.

Pride/vulnerability

When addressing the fact that a man might have mental health problems it can be seen as them being vulnerable and lacking pride in themselves.

Change is hard

It can be difficult when you go a number of years passively dealing with your mental health issues for any sort of treatment now to be a drastic change and intimidating.

Control

Addressing mental health problems can be seen as a loss of control in yourself.

Acknowledging that there is something about them that’s inconsistent and unpredictable can be hard to tackle.

Reliance on non-professionals, I.E. Partners

When men do take the steps towards managing their mental health

or addressing it, they often go to their significant others for help.

Oftentimes they don’t know the best way to help you compared to a trained professional.

Higher substance use for relief

While having a bit of marijuana, a smoke or two, or even a few drinks can be okay. When the substance use goes beyond a healthy amount, then it can lead down a dangerous path and doesn’t help the problem.

Lack of info on resources

More often than not people don’t know what they can do to help their mental health. Knowledge about the resources that are out there is the best way men can take action.

Concerns about medicine and counseling

Like lack of info, not knowing about the medications that are prescribed specifically for anxiety and depression can be intimidating. Counseling

sessions can be intimidating too because of that shift in environment and letting yourself be vulnerable.

Counselors are specifically there to listen and help you through your struggles. It’s not a one size fits all type of scenario.

Fear of discovery

The thought of someone finding out that you’ve been to therapy or have medication for your mental health can be scary for some. Being open about your own personal struggles can be a hurdle, and once that leap has been made, it can be easier to talk with others about what you’re going through.

Cultural acceptance/considerations

Cultural acceptance is something that can be huge for people. Having a group of people or even family judging you for getting the help you need is scary and something that needs to be destigmatized.

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SPOTLIGHT

Joshua Collins, a sophomore at CWU, is a Studio Art and Art History major. He’s one of the men who broke the stigma and sought mental help through therapy, and he understands where that stigma comes from. “A lot of it, in my opinion, stems from toxic masculinity and society’s image of what a man should be: strong, loud and independent.” He believes that even if someone sees those traits in themselves, they can still struggle with mental health and should seek therapy.

The Best Resource for You

There are a number of resources men can utilize in order to receive the proper help they need. Stochosky listed short term commitment sessions through case management which provide help on an individual basis in three sessions.

She also listed other alternate resources students can utilize like books, virtual counseling, which is available through TimelyCare, and anonymous phone lines like the Treatment Referral Routing Service. Daniel J. Levinson’s The

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Seasons of a Man’s Life was recommended by Stochosky as well which goes into detail on the developmental stages men go through.

Collins had originally sought therapy after sexual assault but found that while it did help, it wasn’t for him.

“There’s something in healing through myself than through another person that I found more solace and serenity in,” Collins says. He suffers from panic disorder, anxiety disorder and depression and believes that everyone should at the very least try therapy if they’re worried about their mental health.

Collins expresses himself through his art and is open about the struggles he’s gone through, “Now, I’m very open about what happened to me, but do not like to share without cause,” he says.

You’re not alone in your struggles, no matter how much you tell yourself it’s your own battle. There are other men that are going through the same thing even if they don’t show it. It doesn’t make you any weaker to acknowledge the struggle.

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SPOTLIGHT

Learn My Name, Not My Ethnicity Story by Star Diavolikis | Photos by Dylan Hanson | Design by Makayla Zayic

You and your friend decide to go out to eat, as a way to celebrate getting through the week. You stroll in, get seated, and a random family you never met before immediately walks out, leaving behind unfinished meals on the table and paying the tab at the front. It is obvious they leave because you and your friend entered the establishment with an appearance they don’t tolerate: having darker skin.

This kind of thing happens in real life. In fact, Jocelyn Garcia has a similar story.

“So nobody, and I mean, nobody, should stop you. Nobody should tell you that you can or cannot do this, because deep down, you can do anything that you set your mind to.”

- VICTORIA DENNIS

Discrimination in the workplace Garcia is a sociology major at CWU, coming from tribal affiliations Coca and Maya K’iche’. She worked as a barista in the past and was accused of being a “reverse racist” towards a white customer.

“I had a white doctor telling me that I was a reverse racist, because I spoke apparently in a kinder tone to a customer, who was a woman of color, compared to him. And he complained to my boss,” Garcia says.

Hope Amason, anthropology associate professor and director of the Museum of Culture and Environment, speaks about how those with privilege could help fix any situations regarding discrimination.

“I would say the most important thing, is to not be silent, to name it, and (…) to be able to bring it to the attention of people who have power in ways that (...) hold people with power accountable,” Amason says.

Discrimination outside the workplace Diane Pebeahsy, a Yakama Nation and Comanche tribal member, faced discrimination in school while growing up in Oklahoma. There was a large Mormon population, and teachers would cater to their needs, give them birthday parties and extra attention during class.

Pebeahsy received none of this.

VICTORIA DENNIS

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SPOTLIGHT Discrimination continued around her on her walk home.

“When I’d walk home from school, I’d see the kids that belong to the local KKK, kind of push around and give [grief to] some of our fellow students that were African American and (…) they were really quite visual. (…) I knew that they were the children of the KKK,” Pebeahsy says.

When she moved to Washington, she noticed that those who were prejudiced lacked labels. In Oklahoma, the label of KKK was there. However, in the Northwest, people act without labels and they, “didn’t have their little white sheets on here,” according to Pebeahsy.

Eating, shopping & breathing in public

DIANA PEBEAHSY

Another instance Pebeahsy experienced is shopping in a store where an associate followed her around. Having previous experience working in retail, she knew nothing of her fit characteristics of a possible shoplifter - she simply had darker skin.

During this incident, a white lady had walked in, stuffed an item in her purse and left. As she left, she triggered the alarm; however, the store associate continued to stalk Pebeahsy.

“People make like small microaggressions or comments like, ‘Oh, you’re native.’”

- JOCELYN GARCIA

SYDNEY RENEE

Garcia says she has faced discrimination nearly everywhere. More recently, she has felt discrimination while eating in Ellensburg.

“One time me and my friend were out. Not sure if I can say like, specifically where. We…were out and we were eating and there was a family inside the establishment that we were in. And they left because of us. They left because we were in the same establishment,” Garcia says.

Garcia also says that in grocery stores, white community members have clutched their purse, made small remarks or purposely moved away when seeing her.

Senior psychology major and CASA choreographer Victoria Dennis has witnessed discrimination since moving to Washington at eight years old. Her background is Liberian, and she felt out of place while at school and in public with her family.

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“I feel like as a little kid going to school (…) it was a little bit tough. (…)

I knew I didn’t really know a lot of English and I feel like (…) a lot of the kids who just stare us down as Africans,” Dennis says.

An experience in Ellensburg Dennis had was when a shop owner went up to her and her friend immediately when they entered their store, telling them they must buy something. “(...) we walked in the door. He was just staring at us, and he came up to us and told us ‘you have to buy stuff,’” Dennis says. “So I feel like that was kind of a way of him saying that we should not come and steal.”

Though Amason says she hasn’t experienced discrimination herself as she’s a cisgendered white woman, she’s witnessed discrimination within the Ellensburg area. More specifically, the Shady Acres housing area appeared to be dismissed more than the tavern near the Kittitas Valley Event Center grounds during the expansion plan. For context, this housing area is known for primarily housing Latino families.

“When I’d walk home from school, I’d see the kids that belong to the local KKK, kind of push around and give [grief to] some of our fellow students that were African American and (…) they were really quite visual. (…) I knew that they were the children of the KKK.” - DIANE PEBEAHSY

Holding on and fighting back Facing obstacles that are based on things you can’t control can be very discouraging, and holding on to hope is vital. There are different things to focus on in order to keep pushing through.

“Remember your community.

Because I feel like my biggest motivator has been thinking about my community and how it’s gonna benefit my community,” Garcia says. She still struggles but she hopes that what she goes through will have a good impact on her community.

Dennis says, “Don’t stop. Just continue to go and fight for what is rightfully yours (…) And just know where you came from. And know that in your bloodline is full of powerful women who had done this, who will help you to do this or just know that you are intelligent and powerful and beautiful, and you can do anything that you set your mind to.”

Pebeahsy reflected on what has helped her hold on, which stems from when she was younger: her grandmother.

“She’d say, ‘Hey, Diane, if you died and you went to heaven, what’d you ask God to come back to Earth as?’

I’d smile at her and I’d say, ‘An Indian.’

And she says, ‘That’s right. You come back as an Indian.’ And so she told me that, she goes, ‘What, what? You can do anything in the world, why is that?’ and I go, ‘Because I’m Indian.’ She goes, ‘That’s right.’”

This was followed by her grandmother telling her she was beautiful because of her dark skin, and to ignore those who discriminated against her. She says her grandmother reinforcing the idea to be proud to be Indigenous made her become the way she is today.

She also feels marginalized communities are not represented enough in Ellensburg. For example, she pointed out there is no placard for 3rd Avenue being home to a historic Chinese American community. She felt there is not enough representation for those who live in Ellensburg, and marginalized communities aren’t being as included in history as they should be.

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SPOTLIGHT

Enough is Enough: My Story I have faced discrimination ever since I could remember based on my Indigenous background. I come from the Yakama reservation. I am a descendant of the tribe while being enrolled Umatilla, so I have been surrounded by my community since we moved to Washington.

The racism most likely began before I remember, but middle school was really where I learned the stereotypes, microaggressions and discrimination I’d face in daily life.

When mentioning I am Indigenous and come from the reservation, I got passive aggressive mumbles of, “Oh, that’s cool…” If it isn’t dismissing my culture, it is questions rooted in old stereotypes. I had a peer ask me, “Do you still live in a teepee?” I’ve also been asked about my “spirit animal,” and if I could tell somebody what theirs was.

Granted, I have received “positive” stereotypes, like I’m supposed to be wise beyond my years. However, these stereotypes are still harmful. It creates unrealistic expectations of anybody who identifies as Indigenous.

Using stereotypes of Native Americans being lazy or drunk is harmful even for those who don’t lie in those stereotypes. When I persevere and am not involved with drugs or alcohol, I feel fetishized and tokenized for being a minority who beat the odds. I have been overly celebrated for simply keeping up with my white peers or accomplishing small goals.

I’ve either been tokenized or discriminated against nearly my whole life, and it’s saddening there is no medium. I’m trying to enforce that medium, though. If I notice there is a shift in behavior due to my identity, both positive or negative, I make sure to put it in check and ask why I’m being treated differently.

So far, it’s worked, and I encourage people to speak up. We can’t all be silenced.

- STAR DIAVOLIKIS

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major or minor in

apparel, textiles &merchandising merchandising specialize in fashion marketing minor in apparel design

job prospects buyer trend forecaster merchandiser product developer stylist brand management fashion marketing & promotions and more

more more info info andrea.eklund@cwu.edu @cwu_atm

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FASHION

Story by Omar Benitez Photo by Max Cox Design by Thong (Samuel) Lam & Katie Jo Stewart

Cultural Head Coverings Modeled yb Victoria Dennis & Inderjit Singh

‘Go home!’ ‘You don’t belong here!’

‘Are you forced to wear that?’ These are comments made to people wearing head coverings in America. Racism and aggression against people wearing head coverings is still all too common and often pushes them not to wear them at all.

But a head covering is not just something you take off, it’s part of people’s identity, it’s who they are.

And it’s part of some of the students here at CWU. These headcoverings are a lot more than just an article of clothing. They symbolize faith, culture, identity and are unique in their own ways.

VARIATIONS Head wraps or head scarves in America have a bit of a dark history dating back to the 1700s, during the time of slavery. According to the article “When Black Women Were Required By Law to Cover Their Hair” from Vice, female slaves were forced to wear them to cover their hair due to tignon laws. It has since been reclaimed

by African women of all cultures throughout the continent. It is now a symbol of beauty and African culture.

For CWU student Victoria Dennis, senior psychology major, head scarves have become a part of everyday life. She’s of Liberian descent, so she’s been learning from a young age. “I watched my mom and siblings do it all the time.

So it was like a reinforcement, like hey, I have to do it too.”

The turban, or pagg as it’s known in Punjabi, originates from the Punjab region of India. It has become an important part of Sikh culture for men as a symbol of their faith. CWU student Inderjit Singh, senior film major and PULSE photographer, originates from India, and for him a turban symbolizes his faith, where he comes from and most importantly who he is.

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FASHION

In Islam, the hijab is worn by Muslim women as a way to show modesty by covering their hair.

Wearing a hijab for CWU student Ibtisam Siraj, sophomore law and justice/political science major, has been automatic from a young age, “when you grow up doing something since you were a kid, it just becomes a part of you.”

SIGNIFICANCE Of course, every head covering has its own meaning and significance behind it. But each person has their feelings on what it means to them personally to wear a head covering.

Dennis loves how despite their dark past, headscarves have been reclaimed by African women. It now helps Dennis stand out and show her culture proudly. “For me, it allows me to know I’m different but I’m a proud, beautiful, intelligent elegant woman. It helps me to know where I came from.”

For Singh, turbans are a strong symbol of his Sikh faith. The meaning behind the turban is to show respect, and to show that all people are equal. So for him, being able to wear it means being able to be his genuine self. “It’s like my chin is always up when I’m wearing a turban.

It’s the greatest feeling. I know that that’s myself when I have a turban on,” says Singh.

“It’s like a part of who I am, without it I wouldn’t be who I am right now,” says Siraj.

For her, wearing a hijab means being able to practice her religion and proudly show she’s a Muslim woman.

INDIVIDUALITY The potential to add your own touch and make a head scarf unique is endless. With many different colors and patterns to choose from, your possibilities are as many as your mind allows. Besides changing the color there are also of course several different ways to style and tie your headscarves, so get creative.

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Similarly to headscarves, turbans can also be of many different colors as well as patterns. The changing of colors and patterns does not affect the meaning in either as well. There are also different types of turbans to choose from, so make sure you get the one that’s right for you.

Hijabs do have a few different variations, some of these include the jersey style and the chiffon style. The chiffon style is a thinner, looser fitting hijab that’s best-suited for warm weather, while the jersey style is thicker and better suited for milder weather. Here it’s all about comfortability, so make sure to get something that feels snug.

HEAD COVERINGS AND DISCRIMINATION The reality here in America for people who wear head coverings is that often times they still face racism or discrimination. We see it often in the workplace and in sports.

“I have seen stuff on the news, in media where a lot of African Americans who just can’t really go into the workforce with their hair wraps,” says Dennis.

Just like headscarves, turbans have also been discriminated against in the workplace.

Although certain jobs are revamping their dress codes to be more inclusive of head coverings, in many professional settings head coverings are still not allowed.

People who wear head coverings often still experience harassment or assault. According to American Civil Liberties Union, 69% of Muslim women who wore a hijab reported at least one incident of discrimination for wearing their head covering.

Despite the discrimination and racism, these CWU students still proudly wear their head coverings because it is who they are. To be themselves genuinely everyday, it’s something we all deserve.

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FASHION

Costuming in both film and stage is the backbone of what makes work recognizable and relatable. In “Euphoria” when Rue is going through a spiral episode, she can be seen wearing her staple purple jacket, cropped pants and converse.

This is relatable because when you’re going through it, that hoodie that has been laying on the floor for three days becomes your security blanket.

FROM SCREEN TO CLOSET

Modeled by Max Cox, Sierra Moore, Taylor Rose and Leadership Staff

Story by Paije Maas Photos by Dylan Hanson & Max Cox Horoscope by Emma CrowE Design by Makayla Zayic

THE IMPORTANCE

THE PROCESS

The importance of a costume may not seem as crucial and important as an actor who can portray a character but in fact, that character is brought to life when the costume is put on their shoulders.

While costuming is the backbone of film, the script is the roadmap to craft making. Lirit Olyan Pendell, a lecturer of costume design and technology at CWU says, “We always start with the

“The costume is essential because it is the most immediate visual shorthand with the audience,” says Communications Director of the Costume Providers Anna Wykoff.

Wykoff mentions that costumes and language are the connections we as viewers have with the characters based on how they affect our response.

John Bender in the Breakfast Club is the perfect example of how costumes can affect our view. He is the typical 80s bad boy with his ripped jeans and fingerless gloves and without even a line of dialogue, you already can make a million assumptions about him strictly based on his apparel.

script and the overall story. Then I think about the color palette and start to build the “world in my head.”

She mentions that after the fabrics and color schemes are chosen, the process of creating the character for the

screen begins. “Why did they pick this outfit? Are they trying to stand out or blend in?” asks Pendell.

Maddy Perez from Euphoria uses her fashion as a way to stand out and to become the girl she wanted to be based on what she saw in her youth. The use of flashy colors and minimal material proves that she is not ashamed of what she wears and wants to be noticed.

“Why did they pick this outfit? Are they trying to stand out or blend in?”

-Lirit Olyan Pendell

Inspired by Euphoria

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FASHION

THE INFLUENCE ON US It is a no-brainer that we take inspiration from film for our style choices.

“We saw a huge rise in 1920s glamor/ flapper looks after the Great Gatsby movie came out in 2013,” says Pendell.

“Every New Years’ Eve or birthday party had the theme, and even department stores started carrying more sequins, headbands and other reminiscent styles.”

Wykoff says that the influence of film and production has influenced the thought that, “Men and women and people of all different genders can wear whatever they please, and that absolutely comes from film and television.”

Inspired by Bridgerton Inspired by That ‘70s Show

YOU’RE NOT INVISIBLE “For a long time, the costume designer was kind of invisible,” says Wykoff.

These words are true for many costume designers across the globe when it comes time for recognition and praise.

When award season rolls around, we as movie lovers, all sit around our televisions and cheer on our favorite actors, but when it comes to costume awards, we turn to something more “interesting”.

When in reality, the reason we loved the actor’s portrayal of the character so much was due to their dialogue and costuming.

When Black Panther was released, it set a tone for change based on the casting decisions and the wardrobe picked that was specific to their particular part of the world. It was something unlike anything we had ever seen.

The next time you are watching a movie whether that be a Marvel film or one of the upcoming Avatar movies, be sure to take note of how the costume choices took an actor from an average joe to the next Natasha Romanoff or Jake Sully.

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FASHION HOROSCOPE Deciding what style to go for is difficult. So, step aside and let your horoscope guide your wardrobe.

Each zodiac sign is paired with a character from the hit series Euphoria. The characters’ personalities had no part in the decision making. The choices are solely based on fashion.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Aries is a fire sign, and their color is unapologetically red.

Taurus is an earth sign that’s practical.

Their colors are green and pink.

Aries is most compatible with the fashion of Kat Hernandez. Kat’s fashion features a fiery red choker and a plethora of tight, flattering clothes.

If you’re a Taurus, think about taking some fashion advice from Fezco. Fezco’s style is reminiscent of fashion from the 80s. He doesn’t stick to one particular color, but he rocks green.

Geminis get a bad rap, but the air sign is particularly affectionate and curious.

Gemini’s colors are yellow and green.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Cancer is a water sign, and they are often tenacious and loyal. Their foundational color is white.

Leo is a fire sign, and that fire leads them to be passionate and warmhearted. Key colors for Leos are gold and yellow.

Virgo is an earth sign and is known for being analytical. Their key colors are gray and beige.

Suze Howard is the best parent on Euphoria and a fashion icon. Her green velour tracksuit appears in season two.

Geminis should have their own version of green velour in their closets.

Cancers should look towards Lexi Howard for fashion do’s and don’ts.

Lexi rocks a variety of colors, but, like all practical dressers, she has one foundational color.

Maddy is the queen of gold, just take a look at her stunning gold dress, and any Leo could be the same.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Libra is an air sign known for being diplomatic and social. Their main colors are pink and green.

Scorpio is a water sign that is resourceful and brave. Their key colors are scarlet and rust.

Sagittarius is a fire sign that can be relied on for their great sense of humor.

Their top color is blue.

Libras should take a look at Cassie Howard’s closet. You could rock anything from her pink quarter-zip to her array of light pink sweaters.

Scorpios can take a page right out of Rue Bennett’s lookbook. Rue’s signature look is her maroon hoodie.

A Sagittarius should wear a healthy amount of blue like Faye. Her checkered, blue zip up sweatshirt is a great example of using the color blue to your advantage.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Capricorn is an earth sign that is generally responsible. Their most flattering colors are brown and black.

Aquarius is an air sign known for being original and intellectual. Their key color is silver.

Pisces is a water sign. Pisces’ are artistic and romantic, and their key color is purple.

Capricorns and Nate Jacobs both veer towards shades of brown and black.

You have to admit that Nate can rock a black sweater.

Jules Vaughn sparkles from her head to her toes, and Aquarius’ do the same.

Take a note from Jules and let silver accentuate your natural beauty.

Gia Bennett’s fashion tastes are decidedly 90s inspired and include a limitless amount of colors. Her purple camo shirt is one of her best pieces.

Virgos dress more like Ashtray. His signature gray hoodie is the color scheme you should aim for.

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PIMPI

PET

FASHION

Story by Lexi Wicks Photos by Dylan Hanson and Noah Wright Design by Sarah Stewart

Pet owners dress up their furry friends for many reasons: kind hearted fun, to express love and affection, an Instagram worthy photoshoot and a way to make their pets unique.

No matter your pet’s size, there are always wardrobe options available.

Just be a little creative! CWU students gathered their pets in their Sunday best to give you inspiration on how to dress up your four-legged friend.

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N’

FASHION

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FOOD + DRINK

GRILL THE

SHIITAKE

OUT OF THIS SEASON Story by Noah Wright | Photos by Dylan Hanson Illustration by Huynh Tran | Design by Huynh Tran & Katie Jo Stewart

What do pool parties, block parties, family gatherings and dinner all have in common?

For most people, they are all events that happen over the summer and involve food. While everyone has a family member that calls themselves a ‘Grill Master,’ why not throw your name into the conversation with these two grilling recipes that are sure to amaze even the pickiest of eaters.

GRILLED STEAK KEBABS: • 2 pounds Sirloin Steak cut in Ingredients • • • • • • •

1/2 cup Olive Oil 1/2 cup Soy Sauce 3 cloves Garlic, minced or ground to a paste 1 teaspoon Black Pepper 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 teaspoon Onion Powder 1 teaspoon Salt

• • • • •

1-inch cubes 1 Red Bell Pepper seeded and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 Orange Bell Pepper seeded and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 Green Bell Pepper seeded and cut in 1-inch pieces 1 Red Onion cut in 1-inch pieces 8 12-inch Metal Skewers

DIRECTIONS: • • • •

In a bowl, combined together olive oil, soy sauce, garlic and spices.

Once your mixture is created, add the cubed sirloin steak to marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

After 30 minutes to an hour, thread the steak pieces onto skewers alternating with pieces of bell pepper and red onion Grill kebabs over medium heat, flipping regularly, until the meat is fully cooked to your desire and the vegetables are tender.

GRILLED SHIITAKES WITH SHICHIMI TOGARASHI: Ingredients • • • •

2 tablespoons Tamari or Japanese Soy Sauce 2 teaspoons Asian Sesame Oil 2 teaspoons peeled and minced Ginger 1 teaspoon Rice Vinegar

• • • •

1 teaspoon Chili Garlic Paste 1 pound (500 g) Large Shiitake Mushrooms, stems removed 2 tablespoons Shichimi Togarashi 1 Yuzu or Grapefruit, cut into wedges (optional)

DIRECTIONS: • • • • • • • •

In a bowl, mix together tamari, sesame oil, ginger, vinegar and chili garlic paste. Once the mixture is fully combined, add in the shiitake mushrooms and fully coat them.

Let the mushrooms sit in the mixture for 30 minutes to an hour.

After the mushrooms have rested for the designated time, heat the grill on medium-high.

Brush the grill with oils and add the mushrooms to the grates, gill side down.

Leave the mushrooms on the grill for one to two minutes, then flip and leave for another one to two minutes.

Flip two more times, letting the mushroom cook for one to two minutes each time.

Once cooked, drizzle some of the dressing onto the mushrooms and let them rest.

After letting them rest, serve with shichimi togarashi over the top.

Grilled Steak Kebabs inspired yb life-in-the-lofthouse.com & Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms inspired yb Williams Sonoma Taste (williams-sonoma.com)

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FOOD + DRINK

As you approach the dinner table you are surrounded by a plethora of foods and desserts from every walk of life from zesty adobo to the fruitfilled pavlova.

CENTRAL’S CULTURAL CUISINE Story by Deacon Tuttle Photos by Katie Jo Stewart Design by Edgar Roa & Katie Jo Stewart

PAVLOVA • • • • •

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Egg Whites Sugar Fruits (always include kiwi) Whipped Cream Brownies (optional)

Food is a gateway to cultures and passions. CWU is home to students from all over the globe that want to share their heritage with others.

CAMPBELL ROBB NEW ZEALAND Christmastime in New Zealand is all about crunchy and fruity pavlova. For Campbell Robb, this dish brings his childhood all the way to his freshman year at CWU in the States.

“They just gave me kinda the best opportunity to come here and have a good education and the rugby coach here is really good. He has a lot of incredible stuff in his career. He’s seemed like the best coach to be led by,” says Robb.

Robb is here to obtain degrees in entrepreneurship and clinical physiology. Additionally, he aspires to have his own business in the sporting world.

Pavlova is a national dessert in New Zealand that dates back to World War I according to Robb. It’s composed of egg whites that are baked in the oven, which then creates a hard outer shell juxtaposed with the spongy mariangue inside. Following that, stick it in the freezer for an hour or so.

Whip cream and any combination of fruits but, “(...) one of those is always a kiwi fruit whether it be green or gold. Chuck a mixture of those on and kinda make it our own,” Robb says.

This is a casual dessert that doesn’t take a ton of time or skill to perfect. To compare it to a more well-known dish, Robb equates pavlova to creme brulee. If you want to add even more sweetness he recommends brownies and a cup of cocoa.

Robb enjoys this cuisine year round but his fondest memories are always in the Winter season. Recently, he was able to share his culture with new friends and family. “I stayed in America for Christmas this year.

With an American family of mine. They asked, ‘what specific foods do you have around Christmas time like desserts and stuff?’ I said, ‘well we actually make Pavlova.’ I had them make it. They found it really really good,” Robb says.

ANDREA MENDOZA PHILIPPINES Andrea Mendoza is a senior studying English education.

Mendoza grew up in the Philippines and she came over to Central via the Global UGRAD program. “I grew up in a military camp where I can hear guns. Chile cannot sleep at night when you hear that. Here in Ellensburg, it’s very quiet, it’s very peaceful which I really like,” Mendoza says.

In Mendoza’s freetime she enjoys writing poems, stories, and sonnets. Additionally, she has the unique profession of being, “(...) a radio DJ back home.”

Mendoza worried about having to change parts of herself when coming to Ellensburg. However, she was relieved that she didn’t have to blend in with others.

“There’s a lot of Filipinos here. There’s a Filipino club, and I really like to be here because I’m not different.”

The food that Mendoza wants to share with everyone is adobo, which is a marinade. Adobo has changed over the years and is no stranger to different variations and techniques of cooking it.

According to Mendoza, adobo was originally made strictly with vinegar and later soy sauce was incorporated as a key ingredient. Ultimately, what caused the shift was Spaniard colonization. “And that’s the reason why it’s called adobo because in Spanish, adobo means marinated,” Mendoza says.

There are many bases that can be utilized. Mendoza’s first choice is chicken due to its tenderness. Other classic options are pork (though it’s time-consuming) and fish such as sea bass.

Once the base has been chosen it’s on to the spices and prepping. “The original version is just salty sauce, vinegar, bay leaf, peppers, and then garlic,” Mendoza says.

Mix all of that together and turn the heat on high and you’re off to the races.

Mendoza and her mother have their own personalized tricks when they make it together. It all comes down to rhythm. She says, “My mom would tell me to pound the garlic with a rhythm.” The flavor is optimized when care is prioritized.

Mendoza believes that this recipe comes with a medium level of difficulty, and that it takes roughly 30 minutes to an hour to cook. To round the dish out, she recommends a flavored beer (lemon) and rice.

Besides the taste she says that her passion for the food comes from the historical aspects that spring from it.

For survival purposes, adobo was ideal because of its ability to stretch out rice and its capabilities for expansion and preservation.

Lastly, Mendoza wants to affirm that [adobo], “might be taken away from us and it might be renamed by Spaniards but it is traditionally from the Philippines.”

ADOBO • • • • • •

Chicken (Pork, Sea Bass) Salty Sauce Vinegar Bay Leaf Peppers Garlic

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FOOD + DRINK

JAISLYN HART - ITALY “I think when you are cooking an Italian dish, you got to really measure with your heart and your taste buds more than follow a recipe,” Jaislyn Hart says.

Hart is a junior pursuing an elementary education major with a minor in literacy. She chose to come to CWU because it is a teaching school, which she believes was the right decision considering the people and friendships she has gained.

Hart’s family ravioli is the recipe that she wants to share that comes straight from Italy. “(...) she [Hart’s grandmother] taught us the family recipe and just continued sharing her heritage through food. A big part when she was getting older was ravioli. It was like the last time she taught us,” Hart says.

Hart believes that the best three fillings are cauliflower/ricotta, plain cheese and a classic meat. To distinguish between the various types, the route to go is making impressions with your fork. She says, “I think you can have fun with the shapes of it.”

If you are willing to be patient, making dough and the rest of the process can be done with any level of chef experience. According to Hart, it takes two hours overall to complete the dish. Her favorite part of making raviolis is the time she is able to spend with family.

This is a special occasion that occurs once a year. “(...) we make an abundance of ravioli to get us through the year. And once that runs out, we don’t make it until we get together again,” Hart says.

Since her grandparents have passed, Hart reflects fondly on the time that she was able to spend in their house and those lasting memories that will not fade.

She’s excited to give the exact recipe to others so we can engage with her culture. To top it off, meatballs and her grandma’s favorite drink, tropical punch V8, are highly encouraged.

RAVIOLI Ingredients: • • • •

5-51/2 All Purpose Flour 6 Large Eggs 1/2 cup Water 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil

Sauce: • • • • • •

1 can Crushed Tomatoe 1 1/2 cups Tomatoe Puree 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese 1/3 cup Water 1/3 cup Tomatoe Paste 3 tablespoons of Sugar

• • • • •

2 tablespoons of Minced Basil 1 tablespoon Minced Parsley 1 tablespoon Minced Oregano 1 clove Garlic Minced Salt & Pepper

Filling: • • • • • • • •

15 ounces Ricotta Cheese 2 cups Shredded PartSkim Mozzarella 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan 1 large Egg 1/4 Garlic Powder 2 teaspoons Minced Basil 1 teaspoon Minced Oregano Salt & Pepper

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FOOD + DRINK

THIS BOWL

Acai

KICKS

Story & Recipes by Katlyn White | Photos by Dylan Hanson Design by Huynh Tran & Katie Jo Stewart

Acai is a purple plant that grows from an acai palm tree originating from Central and South America. This fruit was a staple in the Brazilian diet. The common smoothie bowl we see today began being popularized in Rio de Janeiro by one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Carlos Gracie, according to Tambor.

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AH-SIGH-E

Purple bowls are all the rage This superfruit has a taste similar to berries and chocolates. It is rich in antioxidants, protein, minerals, fiber and fats that fill you and keep you full. Here is how to bring the flavor from Brazil to your home.

RECIPE S

ADD THESE TO THE BLENDER: VEGAN: SWEET ACAI

NON-VEGAN: BLUEBERRY DELIGHT

• • • • • •

• • • • • •

Just Juice 1 Banana sliced and frozen 2 packets of Acai Puree ¾ cup of Apple Juice ½ cup Blueberries - frozen ½ cup Strawberries - frozen

1 Banana sliced and frozen 2 packets of Acai Puree ½ cup of Milk ½ cup of Yogurt ½ cup Blueberries - frozen ½ cup Strawberries - frozen

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS TO ADD INTO BLENDER: • • •

After blended, pour into a bowl and put your toppings on.

1 tablespoon of Lime Juice for a zesty zing 2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter for some protein ⅓ cup of Pineapple for some added sweetness

TOPPINGS: • • • • • •

Honey (skip if vegan) Granola Fresh Fruit (Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Bananas, etc.)

Chia Seeds Shredded Coconut Chopped Dark Chocolate, or Miniature Chocolate Chips.

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Experiences in Anxiety You’ve made it past all the obstacles and have evaded the enemy team. As you draw closer to the goal you hear the cheers of your teammates and the shouts of the opposing team trying to stop you, but it’s too late. With the disc in your hand and the goal in front of you, all you have to do is throw and victory will be yours. You reel back your arm for the finishing move and- is that drywall?

You take off your virtual reality headset and realize with horror that your arm has gone through the wall of your room. This is the thrilling experience that CWU freshman computer science major Liam Weininger experienced while playing a virtual reality game.

There are many games and simulations out there nowadays that go above and beyond to make you feel as though you’re somewhere else entirely, sometimes to the point where you forget where you are. “I think virtual reality is a great way to experience other situations, other locations, other fantastical worlds,” says Professor Joshua Buchannan, senior lecturer in CWU’s psychology department. This ability to provide immersive and different experiences is what makes virtual reality so appealing to those with social anxiety.

Everyone knows what anxiety is, but what you may not know is just how crippling and exhausting it can be.

Anxiety can turn mundane tasks into impossible challenges and the simplest decisions into a mess of overthinking and self-doubt. For some people, anxiety feels like playing life on hard mode, forced to progress the main quest while juggling dozens of mandatory sidequests all without the tutorial that every one got but you. Dealing with anxiety or any number of daily stressors can be draining, which is why some people turn to the world of VR for a distraction.

Virtual reality can offer a break from the real world in an immersive and controlled environment. These things can be very appealing to someone who struggles with anxiety, especially when you use VR to play multiplayer video games or use the chat room app VRChat. “One of the friends that I play VR a lot with, he has a lot of social anxiety.

And whenever we play games together, he’s a lot more open with strangers,” says CWU student Zane Crites, a junior Math and STEM major.

Using VR for social interaction can be great for those with anxiety, it gives them a safe place to talk to others and practice their social skills without some of the worries of talking in person. Nat Nickel, a technician for CWU’s Multimodal Education Center, discussed how using VR can be seen as providing safety for people physically since they are talking to strangers through a screen rather than in person. It’s a lot harder to catch germs or get stabbed in an alleyway when wearing a VR headset. Another way that virtual reality can be beneficial for those with social anxiety is that you can choose who you talk to. “You have the ability to block people,” says Nickel, “So somebody can be standing right next to you speaking to you, and if you don’t like what they’re doing or saying, you can just make them disappear”. No matter how much some of us want to, you can’t block someone in real life, especially if they’re someone like a classmate or a co-worker. But in VR, it’s ok to ignore someone just because you don’t feel like talking to them. Like many other multiplayer video games and chat rooms, when meeting new people in VR, you can either find someone you really like and become friends with them or just talk to them once and never see them again. Since virtual reality is mostly used for fun, you don’t have to worry as much when meeting new people as you do in real life, where first impressions can be nerve-wracking.

Virtual reality isn’t just great for social anxiety, it can help with mental health in other ways too. For example, Weininger will occasionally use VR as an outlet

Beginner’s tips Here are some tips from virtual reality users for those who are interested in getting started: •

When choosing a game, pay attention to its labels: VR games have specific content warnings such as extreme heights, so make sure to choose the right experience for you.

•

Virtual reality can be disorienting for first-timers, the games you play may cause motion sickness or headaches. Make sure to listen to your body and take breaks if needed.

•

Use VR in an open area and try to keep your surroundings in mind. One wrong move and it could be your fist through the drywall.

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AFTER DARK after a particularly stressful or frustrating game of lacrosse. “There’s a lot of certain games that are very gory.

Sometimes it’s just fun to let out a little bit of aggression at inanimate objects,” says Weininger. Another mental health condition that can be affected by VR is PTSD. According to Professor Buchanan, there is a virtual reality game called Bravemind that is designed for veterans with PTSD as a form of exposure therapy. By creating a game that puts you into a combat scenario, veterans are able to relive their past experiences to help them with their trauma in a more immersive way. “Even the best storyteller can’t get people to put themselves back into those situations,” says Buchanan, “But if you use these virtual reality tools that are available, presumably you can get people in an extremely similar situation to how they

Beyond Video Games and Chat Rooms While virtual reality is mainly sold for entertainment purposes, there are a bunch of other really cool and unique ways that VR is being used.

Medical Treatment: A hospital in Washington State helps burn victims go through treatment by having them play a VR game that takes place in a snowy area. This tricks the brain into thinking they’re cold, so the patient doesn’t experience as much pain from the heat of the burn.

Experiments and Research: Some people use VR to perform experiments you wouldn’t normally be able to do in the real world. In fact, there are some social and ethical experiments being performed right here on campus that you can volunteer to participate in.

Television: A South Korean TV documentary called ‘Meeting You’ is about a mother reuniting with her deceased child through a virtual reality simulation.

were and how to relive those situations, with the counselor guiding in a controlled environment”.

Virtual reality can provide a safe space for people who struggle with mental health to explore and experiment without any of the risks or consequences of real life. This is especially true for those with social anxiety who use it as a sort of social outlet and talk to other players. But other than the low-stakes environment and being able to do things you can’t normally do in the real world, what exactly is it about talking to people in virtual reality that makes it so appealing to those with social anxiety? The answer may lie in VR’s unique ways of balancing anonymity with self-expression.

The Safety of Virtual Conversations

Anonymity can be very freeing, especially for someone who worries about the opinions of others. It’s the feeling of freedom when talking to people anonymously that makes VRChat a popular app for those with social anxiety.

“Nobody knows who you

are, nobody,” says Weininger, “It’s very hard for someone to figure out who you are, if it’s even possible. You definitely feel very secure about yourself. So as someone who is pretty introverted, it’s a very freeing experience”. Being anonymous in a virtual chat room isn’t anything new, there have been countless ways to talk to people without revealing your identity since computers were made. But what makes VRChat different is the way you interact with people and the fact that you can change how you look to other people.

While some just want to look like themselves, others want to represent themselves differently with fun custom avatars, animals, or even cartoon characters. You can even choose to change your voice to be something different when you’re talking to people. With VRChat, you can choose how other people see you, and that’s a freedom that is very limited when it comes to real life. “I think what really makes the whole experience interesting is that you don’t know what anybody looks like. So even if you don’t intend to, you can’t make any judgments about who they are. You have to base everything you believe about that person on what they tell you,” says Nickel.

Since VRChat uses virtual reality, it can provide something that other chat rooms can’t: a more personal experience without giving up parts of your identity. By giving you the ability to create an avatar and change your voice, you can have conversa-

tions with people online that feel a lot more personal and real than just messaging someone. With VR, you can express yourself using body language thanks to the controls and you can use your voice to show emotion that can’t be conveyed through text. Before, you had to show yourself on camera to convey body language and unless you already had a voice changer, you had to reveal what your actual voice sounded like in order to really talk to them. But thanks to VRChat, people can now interact with others in a more expressive way without revealing anything about themselves.

Misconceptions of the Escapism Mentality

Virtual reality is a very immersive experience that can be a break from whatever might be bothering you.

Because of this, it’s easy to think of VR as a sort of escape from the real world, but this isn’t a healthy mindset to have according to Professor Buchanan.

“I don’t want to use the word escape as much as switch because I think if someone wants to escape their life, I think that is suggesting some underlying concerns or issues that maybe there is some kind of anxiety or depression or other struggles that a person is going through,” says Buchanan. The virtual reality systems that are sold today were mostly designed for entertainment, and like all entertainment, it’s supposed to combat boredom and

can be used as a form of stress relief.

And while VR can be used by people with social anxiety to practice their social skills, it shouldn’t be used as a way to replace real-life interactions. “ I find that [virtual reality] has been an outlet for people who struggle with their social skills to find other people like them and feel comfortable,” says Nickel, “But I think it can also lead people down a path where they’re only doing that…so they quit having any real-life social interaction…I think it’s possible for some people to become addicted to virtual reality, addicted to escapism”.

Virtual reality isn’t a solution to your problems. Like everything in life, moderation is necessary for VR users.

You don’t want to get so hung up on the virtual world that you neglect everything in real life. But at the same time, if using VR helps you relax and connect with people you like hanging out with, then you shouldn’t deprive yourself. “ I would say a good balance is to limit yourself,” says Crites, “Have a certain amount of time that you’d want to be in VR, play at a certain time of day, or with a certain time limit. Stuff like that, so that you aren’t just

stuck in it all day and then you kind of forget about the real world”.

Virtual reality is a unique piece of technology that can be used in so many ways by so many different kinds of people.

It can be a stress-reliever, a way to talk to people, a tool to help you, or just a fun way to pass the time. There are tons of games, experiences, and virtual communities out there for you to choose from, and more are being made every day. The world of virtual reality is yours to explore, just remember to take the red pill and breathe some fresh air every once and a while.

To learn more about virtual reality at CWU and how to use it, you can contact Nat Nickel, a Multimodal Education Center technician at nat. nickel@cwu.edu or you can visit the Multimodal Education Center at Samuelson hall to rent out a VR headset.

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Story by Paije Maas | Design & Illustration by Makayla Zayic

Washington State is known to most as the “Starbucks state” full of caffeine addicts, or the “Evergreen State” full of trees as far as the eye can see in specific vampire movies.

What some may not know is Washington State is also home to a few urban legends aside from the iconic Bigfoot.

MALTBY’S 13 STEPS TO HELL Located in Bothell is a cemetery of secrets. It is said that within this cemetery sits a set of stairs leading to an underground tomb home to a very wealthy family. These stairs became labeled as the “13 Steps To Hell” after many teenagers dared each other to walk down them until they caught a glimpse of what lies beneath. It has been passed along that if you were to

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DRYDEN HALL walk down those stairs and back up, you would catch a glimpse of the depths of hell and its fire chambers.. although unfortunately you cannot see this now as it has been completely closed off.

Perhaps it was for the best.

SOURCE: Only In Your State website

Old buildings always have an urban legend or a story that has been passed around about it. The Cecil Dryden Hall located at Eastern Washington University is no different. This building was first opened in 1965 and is a co-ed dorm. It is said that on the “outer-wall of the north wing” a screaming face can be seen. The maintenance workers have tried to debunk this by changing the

“...after his dear dog friend had passed and he released him into the hole as a burial, he did not stay down there.”

MEL’S HOLE

lights position in hopes of diminishing the shadow, but it still remains.

SOURCE: Spokane Historical website

GRAVITY HILL This mysterious road is located 15 miles north of Prosser Washington on North Crosby Road and is near another haunted location, the grain elevator. This spot is hard to find but to help you out, there is a “START” line drawn in chalk.

The reason this road is so mysterious is because if you were to drive up to the start line and put your car in neutral, it would begin to roll up the hill. While this may not seem that wild, if you look at the road, it does not appear to be a hill at all. It looks like a continuous straight stretch of road. If that still isn’t enough of a spook for you, it is also said if you were to put powder on the back of your car, you will later see small hand prints of the children that pushed your car along the road.

One story that is popularly known to many CWU students is the bizarre tale of Mel’s Hole.

This story began when the owner of this mysterious hole, Mel Waters, contacted Coast to Coast AM which is a late night radio show that discusses anything and everything paranormal.

So, why would anyone want to listen to a man talk about a random hole in his backyard? Well, this hole was not just a few feet deep. Instead, Waters had mentioned the hole was at least 80,000 feet deep and even then, he was sure the number could continue.

Aside from figuring out the depths of the hole, Waters also conducted more visual research like the fact that dogs absolutely hated the hole and would not go within two feet of it. “They wouldn’t go anywhere near the damn thing. If I try to bring them there on a leash, they just dig their feet in and won’t want to go anywhere near the hole,” says Waters in the Coast to Coast interview.

hole. When Waters was on the radio show he mentioned how in some cases, if you dropped something into the depths of the hole, it would not stay down there. It was mentioned that when Waters spoke with a neighbor, he was told that after his dear dog friend had passed and he released him into the hole as a burial, he did not stay down there. In fact, Waters’ friend said the dog returned, looking brand new.

While some may not believe this magical fortress exists, most find it odd that the Federal government seized the land and forced Waters to lease his land to the government.

Something is down there.

SOURCE: Mel’s hole UW Youtube Video

If you have seen Pet Sematary, then you know the properties of the burial ground outside of the Creed family home. Once something that had passed was buried in the soil, it would return.

The same has been said about Mel’s

SOURCE: Atlas Obscura website

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BEHIND THE

A LOOK INSIDE 301 Story & Photos by Noah Wright Design by Edgar Roa & Katie Jo Stewart

As we make the long 25 foot walk across the street from the previous bar my friend looks me in the eyes and mutters through beer induced burps, “this is our last stop.”

My friend, a shorter guy wearing a tighter pair of jeans and an oversized shirt made me laugh when he said that.

A last stop at 10:30 p.m.…it could almost be taken as a joke.

Getting closer to the front door we notice a group of people standing outside yelling and laughing and having a good time. Walking past, we assumed they were simply outside having a smoke break but after passing a well-dressed man he angrily barked, “hey get to the back of the line.”

“There’s never a line,” my friend said to me with a bit of confusion. He was right, very rarely had I seen a line outside the bar. I knew in that instance

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BAR

that we were going to be in for an eventful night.

After five minutes, that seemed like an eternity because the cold night, we were finally let in to what would be a grand and entertaining display of antics.

While we were more concerned about what music was playing and the dirty glares we were getting, the bar staff was behind the scenes working to ensure we had the night of our lives.

“Everyone wants to be a bartender.

That’s where the money is at.”

-NATE HORTON

UPON ENTRY: After passing through the doors the cold night seemed like a luxurious dream compared to the sauna that was inside the bar. “I can feel myself starting to sweat,” my friend said only seconds after stepping in.

He wasn’t wrong, it felt like 100 degrees in the front bar because of the number of people. Despite not even moving, I could feel beads of sweat building up and my throat getting drier from breathing in the hot air.

Getting to the front bar for a drink seemed like an impossible mission. You could hardly make out where the bar was because of the number of people packed together waiting their turn for a drink. It felt like we were all inside a can of sardines.

As we slowly made our way through the herd of people all I could hear over the yelling and noise was the occasional “Excuse me. I’m sorry,” guys and girls made their way away from the bar with drinks held overhead.

FIRST EVENT OF THE NIGHT: Once at the bar to get a drink I was met with what seemed like a race between three people. Running back and forth, the three bartenders were moving so much I felt even more sweat building up.

Occasionally I would hear a slightly intoxicated mumble of someone saying, “how hard is it to make a drink?

What’s taking so long?”

My friend similarly said to me in the moment, “maybe we should have stayed a bit longer before coming here.”

Being a bartender is not as easy as pouring a drink. Justin

McCullough, 301 bartender, has been working at 301 for nearly two years. Starting as a DJ, McCullough is now a front bartender most well-known for his nickname “Stoney”.

McCullough says that there are a lot of amazing parts about working as a bartender. Learning people’s names, talking to customers, seeing people come back out and making sure people get home safe is what he says makes him love his job.

But these positive aspects do not come without struggles.

McCullough says there are many challenges that the bartenders face on any given night. “A regular challenge you face any night is people’s levels of intoxication,” he says.

“That is one of the hardest things to judge, because you can have someone come in here that looks perfectly fine.”

With something like alcohol, it takes very little for someone to go from perfectly fine to really drunk. This is something that bartenders have to judge on the fly as they are also making drinks and taking orders from other customers at the bar.

McCullough says that oftentimes bartenders will question themselves because of the uncertainty about someone’s level of intoxication.

Another commonly ran into issue that many people underplay is the pressure of making drinks.

“You can have 100 to 150 people standing at the bar, just making sure you get the orders down trying to do like a sprinkler system and go a long way and then sprinkle back,” McCullough says.

He explains that there are usually three bartenders on busy, later of the week, nights and that sometimes the barback will jump in. McCullough says it’s fast paced and stressful, but it’s also a “dance” where people jump in and out with key communication.

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AFTER DARK Another key issue that bartenders at 301 commonly run into is running out of something.

Bar Manager, Nate Horton says, “we [301] crank out more drinks than any other bar in town. So, a big hiccup to that is in the middle of a rush, say 12 o’clock at night. If I run out of vodka on my guns downstairs, I gotta run down there and refill all those.”

Horton has been manager for two and a half years. He says one of his first jobs when clocking on is making sure that the bar is stocked and ready for instances when things run out or become limited. “It’s a pretty easy process, but it’s a little time consuming, especially when we pride ourselves on speed you know,” he says. “So, making sure that those things are all topped off at the beginning of the night helps resolve those problems before they come up later on down the road.”

While Horton can sometimes be seen pouring a drink himself, he is more known for one of his other roles in the bar.

SECOND EVENT OF THE NIGHT:

safe place for females, for everybody,” he says.

Horton comes from a security background and he brings that experience into his role as bar manager.

“A lot of people think it’s just enforcement, enforcement, enforcement,” he says. “You get some young 21-year-old football player who’s a big dude who just thinks bouncing is all about throwing people around and, you know, bouncing their head off the concrete.”

But that isn’t what bouncing is about according to Horton. He says the biggest part of bouncing is about picking and choosing battles and learning how to properly control situations. “There are times to be pretty hardcore about it, but there are also times to defuse situations with words,” he says. “’I’ll buy you a drink. You want to calm down, just stay away from that other person and you guys will be good for the rest of the night.”

Horton says that’s the hardest part about bouncing, because people think that bouncing is about being a big strong person that uses physical means to stop something. “Oftentimes, those

After getting our drinks, my friend and I left the bar to make our way onto the dance floor. However, on the way we were met with a spectacular display of dominance between two

drunk guys. “What did you say to me? You wanna take this outside? What are you gonna do?”

These words rang out as the two guys prepared to fight.

But before either one of them could make a move, they were swept off by Horton and front door bouncer Dave Hartless.

In a spectacular display, the two men were taken outside and the safety of everyone was ensured for the time being.

“Everyone wants to be a bartender,” Horton says. “That’s where the money is at.”

Horton says he floats between multiple roles depending on the night. At some points he will be a bartender to help the three catch up on drinks, he will assist the barback with their duties: filling ice, making food, picking up empty drinks and sometimes he will be acting as a watchful protector to stop fights from breaking out or people from doing anything unsafe. “My job has been cleaning this place up (…) make it a

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create more problems and bigger problems than what the initial infraction even would have been,” he says.

While Dave and the front bartenders monitor the front area with Horton’s assistance, he mostly stands at the connection point of the front and back areas so that he can monitor the dancefloor.

THIRD EVENT OF THE NIGHT: Despite the potential fight being broken up, people were still talking about it and you could feel the energy in the bar start to lift as drunken individuals were excited by the thought of a fight.

time, I couldn’t help but notice some commotion near the DJ booth as some upset patrons were not happy with the music.

“I didn’t request this song, why aren’t you playing it yet?” is what I heard over and over as different individuals voiced their displeasure of the music that only seemed to upset that one person. “It’s not that hard to play music,” one upset woman said as she tried to storm her way through the crowd.

Every employee works their way through different positions, according to Horton and McCullough. Starting as a DJ, employees then become a barback, then back bartender and then front bartender. But Horton says being a DJ is more than just playing music. “You’re [the DJ] the eyes on the dance floor,” he says. “You’re gonna be the first person who tells me if there’s a problem I have to deal with.”

According to Horton, the DJ has to address multiple things while also playing music: spilled drinks, broken glass, people crying in the corner, potential fights, vaping on the dance floor, the list goes on. “It’s not just sitting in the booth playing music and having a good time, it’s a pretty hard job because you always have to stay vigilant,” Horton says.

McCullough himself started as a DJ and says, “You don’t want people just sitting down not having a good time kind of feeling depressed, you want to play upbeat, positive, energizing type music, get the crowd going.”

McCullough says that playing music is a hard balance because as a rule he tried not to play the same song during the same night. “But if it’s like eight p.m. and one a.m., a lot of those people won’t remember,” he says.

McCullough also says that the DJ is always keeping an eye on the system: making sure everything is set up right, monitoring the volume of the speakers, incorporating requests so that the music flows smoothly. “They control the tempo for sure,” he says. “You notice like if you have a lot of dance songs, throwing in a slower song calms and the bar fills up really quick, just because people are less inclined to dance or something like that.”

TO END THE NIGHT:

That excitement was only lifted further by the loud and energy-inducing music blasting from the dancefloor. As we rounded the corner to the back area I was met with even more people. If the front bar was a can of sardines, the dance floor was a blob of people almost stuck together. “Is anyone even dancing?” my friend said to me as you couldn’t make out any distinct movements between people.

As we squirmed our way through the crowd to get to the actual stage I could feel the pressure from the speakers as Pop, Rap and R&B music sent shockwaves of bass through my body. Despite everyone dancing and having a good

After what seemed like a blur of a night, everyone’s least favorite moment arrived.

Coming from the speakers like an alarm waking us up for the morning we heard “Closing time” signifying our night of surprises and partying was over. As people shuffled out, closed tabs, called rides and used the bathroom one last time the only sound I could hear was the Velcro-like rip as shoes peeled off the sticky and wet floor.

Throughout the evening drinks were spilled, people fell and joy was had. But for the workers of 301 their shift was still far from over, after the stress of the night they now began the strenuous process of cleaning the mess created by everyone during the excitement. Just to do these same things the next night.

So, while people may think that bartenders only make drinks, bouncers only fight and DJs only play music, the hidden roles of these different positions span wide ranges all of which come together to give us customers the most enjoyable experience.

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BAR LIBS

AFTER DARK

A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN It’s ___________ and you are in need of something to drink. Looking day of the week

outside you see it’s __________ and you think “__________ time to go time past 4p.m.

to the bar”.

exclamation

You _________ run outside and __________ _________ into your adverb

adverb

verb

_____________ so you can get to the bars. On the way to the bar

vehicle that isn’t a car

you see _____________ and say “_____________ hop in we are gocelebrity

exclamation

ing to get crazy tonight!” After a short ride you finally get to the bar, and you see _________ and _________ standing in line looking name

name

__________. Once inside you notice immediately there is a new drink adjective

you’ve never seen before. _________ _________ ________, “that sounds adjective

color

noun

_________” you say to ___________.

After ordering it you see it is actualcelebrity adjective

ly __________. Putting the straw up to your mouth you hear _________ exclamation

different color

as ___________ and _________ are starting to fight. You __________ celebrity

name

adverb

_________ over, but on the way, you trip and fall into something verb

_________ and _________. Covered in a _________ _________ substance adjective

adjective

color

adjective

you get up, look at the bartender and say “let me get ______ _______. number

drinks

With ________ by your side you dance the rest of the night to ________ celebrity

favorite artist

playing ________ ________ over the speakers. As the night ends you adverb

adjective

are ushered out by the bouncers where you see _______ and _______ name

name

looking at your ride. “You got a ticket” they say to you as you get

closer. _________ you think, “What for?” Officer ________ comes up exclamation

name

and says to you, “Your vehicle is _________ _________ and _________ adverb

adjective

adjective

and it also isn’t street legal”. ________________ down and sticky from amount of money over $100

the night, you look around and think “___________, I can’t wait to do exclamation

this next week”. To which ___________ says, “____________”. celebrity

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exclamation

PULSE SHOW

NEW GIRL

PODCAST SONG DRINK

PULSE Picks are recommendations from the PULSE staff for all things entertainment and lifestyle. We chose our top four favorites of each category and posted it to our social media. You guys chose the winners.

MORBID

AS IT WAS - HARRY STYLES

PEACH PASSIONFRUIT RED BULL SPRING 2022

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OUTDOORS

cwupulsemagazine.com

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